Midget LL2s Keep Championship Dreams Alive, News, Midget LL2, U18, 2015-2016 (New Hamburg Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2015-2016 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Feb 21, 2016 | Albert Ross | 881 views
Midget LL2s Keep Championship Dreams Alive
The New Hamburg Huskies Midget LL2s were looking for a rebound on February 20 after suffering a disappointing 4 – 3 loss the previous night in Elmira.  With round robin play-downs entering a critical phase, the Dogs could not afford another loss without jeopardizing their chances for a top 2 slot and a trip to the finals this season. 

Tensions were high when they faced off against an equally desperate Huskies Midget LL3 team but the LL2s were quick in getting the measure of their opponent. The first scoring chance came early when Matt Sommerville put a shot on net followed by Connor Ross’s drive. It looked like the LL2s were gaining momentum when a holding call shifted the initiative to their brethren team. The penalty killers went to work. Owen Ross, Dale Jurica and Mason Wagner allowed no shots to get through to Colton Holba who had yet to be tested in net. The opener came on a mid-ice turnover when Connor Ross seized the moment and rushed in alone to beat the goalie in a short-handed effort. The second frame was a test of wills as both sides paraded to the penalty box for minor infractions. Holba was busier making 4 key saves to keep his team in front. Once again penalty killing was key to success as the third frame began. The sea saw momentum battle suddenly shifted to the LL2s when a tripping call against their opponent opened the opportunity flood gate. Dan O’Connell, working hard along the boards, fed a timely pass into the slot where Colin Shannon teed up the power-play insurance marker. More penalties followed, this time in favour of the LL3s, or so it seemed. For the second time the LL2s came away with a goal on a short-handed effort. Shannon got the puck onto Josh Potts stick and his backhand did the rest. The deflated LL3s were given no time to recover before O’Connell notched the 4th point on deflected shot from Mike Thrush. The last opportunity for the LL3s came as the contest wound down. The Ross brothers and Jurica were dealing with a short-handed 5 on 3 situation and did not allow a single puck to get to Holba. The final act of defiance came when Shannon exited the penalty box and raced up ice. Connor Ross sent the stretch pass and Shannon walked in alone to beat the goalie in the dying seconds. It was a stunning 5 – 0 shutout win that keeps the championship dreams alive for the LL2s. They hope to seal the position when they meet the Beverly Bandits LL1 on February 27.