El Clasico

After falling behind 3-0 early in the first period, the U16 Blues staged an amazing comeback and defeated their GTA rival 5-4. This was easily the most exciting (and nerve wracking) game that the coaches had witnessed in many years. Indeed, a tilt deserving of the title "El Clasico".

 

Thank goodness for short memories. Early in the second frame, the boys shook off the shock of a first period offensive onslaught from SAC. Dominant defenseman Cameron Scott stopped the bleeding and turned the momentum by scoring a highlight reel goal off the rush. Not to be outdone, franchise forward Edward Moskowitz finished off a silky pass from his partner in crime, Kyan Haldenby, to score a devastating short-handed goal. Once Edward lit the lamp it was clear that the Blues were ready to claw back to a level score. Shortly afterwards, Moskowitz scored again off his own rebound on a bang-bang play to tie the game. The Blues' brilliant second period looked like it might come to a crashing halt when they took a late penalty. Not this day. Goalie Dylan Meanchos made an incredible save to keep the game even allowing the aggressive penalty killing to continue. A cerebral set play from Jack Hewitt and Nathan Hannam off of an offensive zone face-off resulted in a short-range shorty from Haldenby on a tight feed from Moskowitz. The Blues buried 4 straight to take the lead heading into the intermission and the energy was high.

 

SAC is a well-coached and proud team and predictably came out flying in the third period after being outshot 17 to 5 in the second. Almost immediately, their skilled forwards were buzzing around netminder Meanchos, who eventually succumbed to a creative move by SAC #27. The game was tied 4-4.

 

The Blues weathered the storm and struck back. The Moskowitz/Haldenby tandem were given a new linemate for the third, Ben Atkinson. This roster switch immediately paid dividends. The H.A.M. line was able to generate multiple dangerous chances before Atkinson put SAC on ice with a change-up from the slot after controlling the zone for almost a minute.

 

Things were going very well for the Blues until 3:20 when SAC was awarded a 4-minute power play. SAC pulled their goalie and UCC was faced with a 6 on 4 penalty kill for the remainder of the game. Suffice it to say the Blues battled heroically, winning with great aplomb. Feats of shot blocking, including one off the chest of smooth skating defenseman Jack Hewitt, relentless pressure on the PK, and of course solid work by Meanchos saved the day.

 

Unsung heroes of the game were Noah Kinloch-Varga, who demonstrated great value as a penalty killer with his speed and physicality. Noah had multiple short-handed chances to score yet couldn’t quite put one past the keeper. Rugged defenseman Ryan Reyes was also a force at both ends of the ice with speed and calm puck control.

 

The coaches would like to thank the boys for their effort. This is the kind of game that brings a team closer together. We look forward to meeting SAC again in our tournament tomorrow and Friday hosted by Trinity College School.