Bantam Minors Weekend Report
This weekend saw the Clippers face an important league game on Saturday in their quest to stay close to the top of the NEEHL league leaders. The Hurricanes skated in to Cromwell and in a tight game saw the Clippers skate away with a 3-2 victory.The Hurricanes came out flying and took a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game. The Clippers were outplayed most of the first period but thanks to goaltender Trevor Hirst and some good defensive plays, the Clippers only trailed 1-0.
At the eight minute mark of the second period Jamison Etting notted the score 1-1 with an assist going to Ross Burton. The Hurricanes battled back scoring a goal with five minutes left in the period. The Clippers showed no quit and tied the score 2-2 with two minutes remaining in the period on a goal from Kurt Wehr and assists from Mike Diglio and Nick Kruczek.
The third period was fast and furious with both goalies making outstanding saves. The Clippers cracked the defense of the Hurricanes and netted the game winner on a goal from Ross Burton on assists from Jamison Etting and Garret Ercolani. The win enabled the Clippers to remain near the top of the league with a 5-3-1 record.
Sunday, the Clippers traveled to Long Island to face the always powerful Applecore team. In an extremely physical game the Applecore team took a 2-0 lead after the first period. More of the same in the second as the Long Island team took what looked to be an insurmountable 4-0 lead.
The third period saw the young Clippers explode to get back in the game. Jamison Etting scored just two minutes into the period on assists from Garret Ercolani and David Beisler to cut the lead to 4-1.two minutes later Kurt Wehr scored on an assist from Nick Kruczek to draw to 4-2.
Applecore responded with a goal of their own to extend the lead to 5-2. The Clippers showed no quit and drew to 5-3 on a goal from Nick Kruczek with 3 minutes left in the game on an assist from Bruce Bedrick.
The Clippers furiously tried to get closer throwing caution to the wind which resulted in two more Applecore goals in the last minute of play for the final 7-3 score. this was by far the most physical team the Clippers have faced and gave as good as they got from this powerfull non league opponent.
Article written by Paul Beisler.
ed. SpeedyGreen
