Squirt Minors Weekend Report
This past Sunday (January 29) the Clippers' Squirt Minors played a
double-header against two formidable opponents. It was a day where the
Clippers had to battle adversity as well as enjoy watching one of its
own have a special day with the puck.Early Sunday morning, the Clippers traveled to Milford to play the Southern Stars' Squirt Major Tier 1 squad. If "playing-up" a level wasn't enough, the Clippers entered the game without four key personnel. Knowing that the Clippers only had two full lines available, the Southern team put on waves of pressure in an attempt to wear down their visitors. Once the Stars opened the scoring, the Clippers had to dig down and play catch-up for the whole game. It would be easy to equate this game to a hard fought boxing match as each team traded "punches" (goals). Just when you would think that the Clippers would go down for the count, they were able to muster a comeback. Ultimately, the Southern squad's depth and experience won out as they came away with a 6-4 victory (as well as some well-earned respect for the Clippers Minors). Clipper center, Taggart Corriveau continued his season long goal scoring prowess as he worked to net all four goals for the Clippers. While they came from all different angles on the ice, each goal was timely as they kept the Clippers in the game to the end. Taylor Thomas (2), Evan Sliker and Nick Waznia earned assists during the game. Clippers' goalie Al Rogers also had a special game, making 53 saves on 59 shots to help keep his team close throughout the game.
A couple hours later, the Clippers came home to host NEEHL rival New York Apple Core Squirt Minors Tier 1. The Clippers' skaters had "payback" on their minds as they had lost two one-goal games to the Apple Core in November's Thanksgiving Tournament. In typical New England Elite fashion, this was a "knock-down, drag them out" game featuring very chippy and emotional team defensive efforts from both teams. There were 21 penalties totaling 44 minutes; with most of them of the roughing and checking variety. Apple Core opened the scoring with two minutes remaining in the first period. Forty-nine seconds later Corriveau took feeds from Kevin Landau and Waznia to put the Clippers on the board at 1-1. The only scoring in the second period came with 0:25 left, when Clippers' defenseman Sliker, on a zone to zone rush, moved the puck to Corriveau who beat the Apple Core goalie. The period ended at 2-1. The aggressive defensive play continued throughout the third period. With six minutes to go, Corriveau recorded his second hat trick (and seventh goal) of the day, to build the lead to 3-1. Christian DiDonato and Mario Marena added assists on the goal. Apple Core scored with a two-man advantage late in the third period to bring the score to 3-2. However, the Clippers' team defense, coupled with strong net minding from goalie Rogers (22 saves on 24 shots), successfully killed off the remaining penalties to secure the 3-2 victory. The hard earned win put the Clippers two points out of second place (as of Sunday), behind the NE Moose, in the New England Elite Hockey League standings.
Article written by Karl Adamsons.
