Mar 31, 2013 | Rod Lichti | 859 views
Local League 'B' Final Champs!
The first game on Championship Saturday featured the Novice Home Hardware LL1 squad vs. their most recent nemesis, LL2. The WRC was rocking with anticipation as the two teams took the ice for what promised to be an entertaining and exciting hockey game
As of late, the LL1 boys have been working on a more up-tempo pre-game warm up so as to better prepare themselves for the first period. On this day, the boys exploded out of the dressing room onto the ice for their skate around, and they carried that energy over to the first shift of the game!
Shortly after the opening face-off, defenceman Carson Fairhall picked up the puck just inside his own blue line, and as he has done all season, he started the rush up the ice. Just before entering the offensive zone he dished the puck off to the right winger, Sam Wildfong. Wildfong chipped the puck up the boards past the LL2 defender and Ethan Lichti was able to pick it up and head towards the net on a partial breakaway. He let a wrist shot go which hit the goalie in the shoulder, but the rebound fell to the side of the net minder and right at Lichti's feet, allowing him to shovel the loose puck into the corner of the net. 1-0 for LL1 fifty seconds into the game.
Midway through the first period, LL2 was able to chip the puck out of their zone past the LL1 defence and send a player in on a breakaway. Goaltender Deklan Jermol readied himself as the opposition stormed in on him and let go a high, hard shot. Jermol made the save, but the rebound landed on the goal line and the LL2 forward was able to poke the puck into the net and tie the game up at 1-1.
The second period featured some fierce offensive pressure by LL2 as they buzzed around the LL1 net early in the period. Jermol made several big saves, including diving from one post to the other to stop a wrap-around attempt with his outstretched glove. From there the defence were able to help look after things as they cleared the puck from danger. Shaun Zwosta was strong on the puck in his own end as he won numerous corner battles and moved the puck up the boards to the wingers. His parnter, Jesse Fay, played many 1 on 1 rushes perfectly as he kept the LL2 players to the outside and away from the scoring areas on the ice. Logan McDonnell, playing his first full game on defence, was a tower of power as he cleared the puck out of his own zone and into the offensive zone every time he had the chance.
Late in the second period, LL1 capitalized on some strong fore-checking by winger Zack Knorr. His pressure on the LL2 players in the offensive zone created a loose puck that Lichti picked up at the hash-marks along the boards. He fired the puck towards the partially screened LL2 goalie and somehow the puck snuck in just under his pads to give LL1 a 2-1 lead.
Heading into the third period, LL1 knew they would need to play error free hockey to keep their slim lead. The line of Kohen Patten, Ryan Yost and Casey Jarosz played very responsible hockey all game in their own end. In the offensive zone, they buzzed around the LL2 net. Partway through the third, Jarosz stole the puck in the corner from LL2. He passed it to Patten who was waiting on the hash marks at the boards. Patten spotted Yost wide open in the slot and fed him a slick pass. Yost teed it up for the one-timer but it just failed to click for an insurance goal.
Late in the third, LL2 was able to pull their goalie for an extra offensive attacker. But the will and desire of the boys from LL1 shone through as they persevered and kept LL2 from getting any chances and held on for the 2-1 victory.
Goaltender Jermol was mobbed by his teammates for a celebratory pile up before he accepted the 'B' Final Championship trophy on behalf of the LL1 team. It was an exciting game and great way to cap off a fun and successful season.