PeeWee Minors Weekend Report
The Connecticut Clippers Peewee Minor Team now 6-2-2 survived the weekend storm with what was probably their most challenging weekend of the season thus far. They started the weekend early on Friday night against one of their most formidable state rivals the CT Wolves which thanks to some of the finest goaltending we've seen this year ended in a tie with a final score of 2-2. Hopefully, we won't need to see that again, but it sure is comforting to know we have it - thanks Johnny and Janusz -- great job!!!Saturday the team headed north and traveled back to NH to face the Avalanche who had challenged the Clippers the week before forcing a tough 6-4 come from behind win. However, this week the kids came out ready to play their game and dominated their opponent throughout the game as they were able to carry off an easy victory with a final score of 5-1. Sunday the PIC's came into Cromwell and after being lambasted the night before and losing 9-0 -- they were determined to set the tone early which showed at the drop of the first puck -- this was going to be a physical, hard hitting Mass style hockey game and the penalty boxes were going to be as busy as the benches. This game would prove to be a penalty filled contest hard hitting game!
The Clippers size and ability really showed as they dominated control of the puck during the battle holding off the PIC's for almost the entire 2nd period being short-handed and playing 3 on 5 hockey as our penalty box needed some expansion, but then late in the 3rd period with only a couple of minutes remaining the PIC's were able to score a short handed goal of their own breaking the tie and were then able to keep us out of their net for the final seconds upsetting the Clippers for only the second time this season which have both been single goal victories to the PIC's. This was a good - tough - challenging weekend of hockey which will hopefully prove to be very beneficial in the teams’ growth and development in the months to come.
Fridays game vs. the Wolves seemed as if both teams showed up a little over confident and never really got started. Whether it's practice or a game -- Friday nights just don't seem to be good hockey nights. After a long week of school, practices and everything else that goes on they just seem to be a little tired and it never seems to bode well for a great performance. It was fast paced and physical, but no one was really able to put things together. Every once in awhile both teams would show a little sign of what they really were made of, but overall the kids and the coaches never really felt this was a very good showing for either team.
During the game Vito Puopolo scored the teams first goal which was assisted by Tyler McCutcheon which would later be followed by Stefan Koproske who scored the teams second goal on an assist from Nick Briganti which put the Clippers up until the Wolves evened it up with a great shot that even Janusz was unable to stop and would be the final goal of the game which ended up in a 2-2 tie. Throughout the evening Johnny Gradante was impenetrable stopping all 18 shots he faced which included a few very tough breakaway saves which followed by an almost equaling performance from Janusz Podlasek who stopped 16 shots himself. What a great game from our goalies who kept us in this one as the Wolves goalie provided similar support for their team at the other end of the ice. This was a true battle of the goalies that will require another game to determine any real winner and sets up for a great rematch early next month.
The Clippers called for a time-out and with the clock stopped -- less than 8 seconds left on the clock -- and a face-off in the Wolves defensive zone the coaches considered pulling the goalie for the chance to win with a 6-4 man advantage, but decided with more than 5 seconds on the clock it was better to start off the CHC conference opener with a tie than to possibly loose by leaving an open net for the Wolves who might capitalize on the opportunity if they gained control of the puck for just a moment.
Saturday started off with an early breakfast in anticipation of the long ride ahead due to the stormy weather. The ride was slow due to some occasional heavy rainfall which caused heavy traffic buildups, but everyone made it to NH safe and sound and the boys were hungry -- not for lunch so much as for the opportunity to show their opponents their game
The Clippers missing two players from their offensive arsenal Seraphim "Serge" Belko who had scored 3 goals the week before in their come from behind victory as well as center Stefan Koproske wasted no time in gaining control of the game and scored a quick goal from Kevin Nicola on an assist from Tyler Lima. They continued on the offensive pressuring the Avalanche to defend their goalie who was only able to stop so many of the countless attacks on the net as well as some great skating kept them out of our zone as Janusz found it difficult staying in his goalie stance with only 5 shots in the first half of the game. Their goalie really had a great day as we peppered him with shots and throughout the game he allowed only 4 additional goals.
The eventual game winning second goal was scored by an unassisted Vito Puopolo who made some great moves on the Avalanche D as well as the goalie. Our team went on to score 3 more times with a goal from Alex Ericson who was assisted by Adrian Gajor and Nick Briganti -- another goal was scored by Nate Tyler on an assist from Vito Puopolo which and was followed by our final goal scored by Alex Ericson which was his second goal of the day and was assisted by Nick and Kevin Briganti. During the second half of the game Johnny Gradante filled the net and found himself pretty lonely as well and easily stopped 9 of the 10 shots that he had faced when with only 6:34 left in the 3rd period he allowed the Avalanche their only score of the game -- proving the Clippers are the team to beat in the NEEHL with an impressive record of 5-0-1. They have obtained this record by outscoring their opponents 48 - 11 in the first 6 league games. Keep up the great work guys.
Sunday the PIC's rolled into town and thought they were going to roll right over us, but the kids responded with some of the hardest hitting hockey they've played so far. Unfortunately, the game quickly got out of hand and the officials were unable to reign it back in though they tried with 27 combined penalties throughout the game. Each team picked up more penalties than we are accustomed to as we experienced Mass hockey at it's best -- physical, hard hitting and a lot of sticks flying, hit in the back, trips, etc... Won't miss that, but it was good to see the boys respond and not get bullied by the PIC's.
Kevin Briganti set the stage with the Clippers first goal assisted by Stefan Koproske and Nicky Briganti and then followed up with a second goal assisted once again by his brother Nick and Tyler Lima. This would put the Clippers on a good standing as they were leading the PIC's and were shorthanded throughout most of the game. Johnny Gradante was able to hold off the PIC's on 8 of their 10 attempts one of which was slashed out of the glove and into the net "unbelievable".
The Clippers were able to dominate much of the games puck control even throughout most of the second period while they were playing with almost as many kids in the "box" as on the bench and playing 3 on 5 hockey for most of the period and holding the lead until the 3rd period when they allowed the PIC's a goal to tie it up. Then late in the 3rd period after what almost turned into a bench clearing brawl was settled down and game started to play once again and this time with the Clippers on a power play the PIC's broke out of their zone and on a breakaway and were able to deke out the goalie Janusz "JP" Podlasek who had successfully iced the PIC's on the previous 13 attempts for an eventual game winning goal late in the period showing the boys that you can out play an opponent and still end up on the losing side. They fought a good hard battle and if they continue to bring that same energy to each and every game this will be a successful season.
Remember if you always Work Hard and Play Harder you will be successful.
Article written by Todd Byers.
Photo by Todd Byers.
