Squirt Minors Weekend Report
The Clipper Squirt Minors played two very tough opponents over the weekend falling to their new NEEHL rival the New England Moose on Saturday and tying the Mid Fairfield Squirt A (Tier 1) team on Sunday. Both games were hotly contested, close contests filled with hustle and team play. The defense over the weekend was impressive and difficult for the opponents to penetrate. Saturday's game against the Moose was the Clippers first home loss. The Moose scored one goal with two and a half minutes left in the first and that was enough for the victory. The Clippers had a number of opportunities to score but could not get the puck past the Moose's goalies. The defense kept the team in the game the last two periods by holding the Moose scoreless. It was a great effort despite the 1-0 loss.
On Sunday the Clippers traveled to Darien for the much anticipated meeting with their only CHC Tier One opponents. The Clippers struck first mid-way through the first period when Will Lindlauf made the Mid Fairfield defense pay for a puck handling miscue in their zone. Will stole the puck, quickly turned and shot on net beating the Mid Fairfield goalie.
Matt Bucher scored next with an impressive run up the middle, carrying the puck from center ice, through traffic in front of the crease and burying it in the net. The first period ended with the Clippers up 2-0.
The determined Mid Fairfield team came out in the second period and scored two quick goals on the over confident Clippers. The period then took a turn for the worse as the officiating tightened and the Clippers were called for five penalties in nine minutes, resulting in two more goals for Mid Fairfield. After killing off a five on three power play the Clippers rebounded and tied the game on two clutch goals by team captain Taggart Corriveau.
Both teams came out in the abbreviated third period looking to score the deciding goal. With one and a half minutes left in the game, Mid Fairfield took the lead. In a dramatic finish, the Clippers pulled goalie Al Rogers and added a sixth skater. With just over thirty seconds left in the game, Taggart Corriveau struck again tying the game with his hat trick goal. The game ended in a five to five tie.
Al Rogers made twenty-five saves on Saturday and nineteen on Sunday. Assists went to Evan Sliker and Matt Trevethan.
Article written by Ron Lindlauf.
