U16 Blues Lose a Heartbreaker to St. Michael's

Can a loss ever be a victory? If so, yesterday's last minute 4-3 loss to St. Mike's "A" must qualify. Despite both teams missing key players, this electrifying back-and-forth tilt was one for the ages.

 

Still stinging from a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of St. Mike's "A" in early January, the U16 Blues hockey team was determined to put forth a stronger effort in this rematch on home ice. Both teams came out fast, and UCC was able to grab the initial advantage on a "seeing-eye" point shot by keystone defender Jack Hewitt. It was Hewy's first goal of the season and the players were feeling good. Unfortunately, SMCS had the same "blitzkreig" game plan and turned on the jets to engineer two tallies in the opening frame; one off of a 2-on-1 and another off of a tipped point shot. Blues netminder Dylan Meanchos had little chance on either one. Both goals were relinquished off of preventable errors, so the message from the coaches heading into the second frame was to keep learning, keep improving, and keep believing in ourselves.

 

The second period belonged to the Blues as St. Mike's ran into penalty trouble. Both power plays dominated resulting in a beautiful goal by captain Edward Moscowitz from a magical pass by defender Cam Scott off the end wall. Not too longer afterwards, Edward "scored" another goal, but it was disallowed as the on ice officials failed to realize that the puck entered the net. This is the second glitch in the matrix that has spurned the Blues, as Eddie was also robbed of a top shelf snipe last week against SAC in the exact same situation. Hopefully all future goals will be recognized when they occur. Misfortune aside, the Blues goal train kept rolling as team energizer Zain Assaf scored a "Brett Hull" style goal while down on one knee banging home his own rebound. It was pretty to watch and the second stanza ended with the Blues up 3-2. 

 

The final frame was a rugged one with bodies flying everywhere. St. Mike's really poured it on, using their speed and noticeable size advantage to punish the Blues on the boards and establish an effective forecheck. To their credit, the Blues bent, but did not break under the onslaught, as they did in the previous game vs. SMCS "A". UCC bravely pushed back with big hits from our heavier, stronger players like Assaf, Rex McArthur, and Matthew Grudzinski, but also from our "pitbulls", smaller players like Ben Atkinson, Luke Pitblado, and Jack Kedwell, who always battle hard regardless of the physical mismatches.

 

Eventually, St. Mike's was able to find daylight on an odd-man rush and take the game as they potted with winner with 15 seconds left. However, this effort was so far superior to the last game against St. Mike's "A" that it can be viewed as a feel good result. Score aside, and disallowed goal aside, the U16 Blues now know that they can hang with the "A" boys from St. Mike's and we hope to meet them again in the playoffs.

 

The coaches wish to thank the boys for their effort and look forward our next game which takes place at home on Wednesday February 6th against Trinity College School.
2:30pm puck drop on the big ice - Go Blues!