Squirt Minors Weekend Report
The Squirt minors played an excellent weekend of defensive hockey against two worthy NEEHL opponents. On Saturday the Clippers played the New England Moose and on Sunday, after a long trip to Long Island, the New York Applecore team. The Clippers held their opponents scoreless in five of the six periods played thanks to backchecking, strong defensive play from all the defenseman, and great goaltending by Al Rogers who left few, if any, rebounds.The New England Moose came back down to Champions having previously beaten the Clippers in their first meeting 1-0. The first period of play saw the Clippers kill four Moose power plays (including a 5 on 3). Encouraged by their first period play, the Clippers settled down and looked to get the offense started. Shortly into the second period the Clippers took advantage of a Moose cross checking penalty when Taggart Corriveau scored a power play goal assisted by Christian DiDanato and Adam Shea. The remainder of the second period remained scoreless, despite two additional Clipper power plays. The third period had both teams shorthanded as a result of numerous penalties. Despite the opportunities, the defenses won out and there was no additional scoring in the third. At the final buzzer, the Clippers returned the favor to the Moose, beating them 1-0.
Sunday the Clippers traveled to Long Beach, New York to play Applecore. The Clippers had previously beaten Applecore at Champions (6-3) but expected a tough game on Applecore’s home ice. Applecore came out with intense, physical play, obviously intent on not losing at home. The first period was a scoreless defensive battle with some big league checking (and consequent penalties) by both teams. The Clippers scored first half way through the second period when Matt Bucher stuffed a centering pass from Will Lindlauf behind the Applecore goalie. Two minutes later Applecore scored to tie the game 1-1. Five seconds later, Evan Sliker took the puck from the face off circle at center ice, drove past the Applecore defense, pulled the trigger and put another puck past the Applecore goalie. The lead held up for three minutes, but Applecore scored again and at the end of two periods, the score was tied 2-2. The third period provided each team with several opportunities to break the tie, but Al Rogers and the Applecore goalie were up to the challenge and did not allow another goal. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Article written by Ron Lindlauf.
