The Junior Team traveled to Boston this weekend, looking forward to bouncing back after not starting off the season the way they had expected to.
Junior team huddles around net before a recent game (Photo courtesy of Caren Chirico).
Playing in the Boston Junior Bruins Shootout the team got off to a hot start by beating Team SOMANG 12-0. Controlling the play right off puck drop JRT looked like they were starting to find their stride as they kept control of the puck for a majority of the first period. Will Rosen (Forward, 2020) started the scoring by burying a rebound off a shot by Brendan Merriman (Forward, 2021). Continuing their dominant play the team scored six goals in the second period to build a more than comfortable lead, heading into the third period. Not letting off the gas in the third, the team then scored five more goals, as well as Kannon Flageolle (Goalie,2021) shutting the door to get his first Northwood Shutout.
Other goals scored by Ray Fust (2) (Forward,2021), Felix Trudeau (Forward,2021), Merriman, Will Donato (2) (Forward, 2021), Jack Schlifke (Forward, 2020), Nate Boak (Defenseman, 2020), Daniel Colabufo (Forward, 2020), Cisco DelliQuadri (Forward, 2020), Patrick Doyle (Forward, 2020)
After starting the weekend off with a commanding win the team looked to continue their great play with another game against South Florida Hockey Academy. Coming out to a hot start with getting a goal in the first ten seconds, scored by Schlifke, the boys kept control for most of the first period. As the game went on the team gave up a goal in the first, then two in the second period. Giving up a goal midway through the third period the team trailed 4-1. Hoping for a turnaround the boys battled back to make it 4-2 with a late goal by Rosen. It would not be enough though as the team fell to a 4-2 loss.
Hoping to respond the next morning following a tough loss. The team was matched up against Boston Jr. Eagles who was the toughest opponent of the year so far. Having a slow start to the game gave the Jr. Eagles the upper hand in the first half of the game as they had double the amount of scoring chances than the junior team. Even though Carson Hall (Forward, 2022) would get a great goal in the first period the team could not get more than one goal in the first half. Going into the second half of the game down 3-1 the team looked to respond and create more scoring opportunities. Getting the chances they hoped the junior team started to take control of the play, but could not capitalize on their chances, until late in the game when Fust scored with less than a minute left in the game to cut their deficit in half. The 54 seconds would not be enough though as the junior team would fall to a final of 3-2.
Having a bitter taste in their mouth after losing the night before, the team was ready to get a win to end their weekend on a high note. Facing another tough opponent the team was ready for the challenge that was in front of them. Scoring late in the first period, with a goal by Merriman, the boys got a boost of confidence going into the second period. Starting the second period that confidence was carried over and the team kept their play up. When Donato doubled the team’s lead with a powerplay goal the game seemed to be in their hands. Midway through the third period, the momentum started to side as Victory Honda got their first goal to cut the lead in half and make the score 2-1. Hoping to respond, Northwood battled through as they would kill off a five on three where they didn’t let up any opportunities and got back to full strength. With just two minutes left Northwood gave up an unlucky goal, tying the game at 2-2. The time left would not be enough as Northwood would tie their game of the weekend leaving them with an overall record of 1-4-1 for the season.
