Hey its been a few weeks since we put up a real good game, and there has not been much to write about. Dark rinks make dark pictures, but this weekend we played outside, and in the newly lit white rink. ‘a ray of hope?’ This weekend would the puck bounced our way? It did not start out that way. Saturday at Old Bridge was more of the same tough hockey we have been playing. Low production, a few defensive lapses, a powerplay goal and then we are behind for good, and feeling bad for the goalie who did his best to stop the first shot.
Mixing things up, with Adam and Chris M. on defense had not yet borne fruit. Eric and Chris F. playing forward had not upped the production. Even the welcomed return of Zack was not enough.
Adam moving back to D.
We did not suggest 2 goalies, because it would not help our offensive production, (although this picture is food for thought). Seriously though, James and Timmy have stood tall through a tough time.
Can 2 guys play goal?
So we skated out of Old Bridge with another L, hoping that Sunday the hockey gods would be good to us. Well they were. In perhaps our best offensive and defensive effort of the season, we won 6-3, against the Flemington Hawks who have improved since our last meeting.
Chris F. got us started on the scoring with a goal early on a quick wrister. They quickly countered, but Andrew struck back with a nice shot from a great pass from Matt B. and a 2-1 Titan lead. The Hawks hung tough, but were not strong enough for 4 more Titan goals. Andrew got 2 more, including a shorthanded dump while laying on the blue line, that somehow went in (a bounce for us!), and a rebound off the glass from an Aaron shot. Our first ‘trick ‘ of the season. Mike S. who played perhaps his best game added one on a neat breakaway as did Rich H. crashing the net off a Mike S shot. Aiden played strong up front after a stint at D and Matt and Donny took the body well. Zack was back, and his speed definitely helped.
Good job boys. Hopefully we can take the momentum into our tournament!
From the title you might think we had a bad weekend. Not so. We were in the hockey game on Saturday. Andrew, Mike S. and Cole tallied goals with Chris F. and Adam providing the assists. Richie rejoined the team after his injury. It was back and forth until the 3rd when #55 ‘Nickels’ could not be stopped. He was head and shoulders above the rest of the Scarsdale team, and while we could not stop him, we played very good hockey He had 5 goals and 1 assist, contributing on every one of their goals. Toward the end of the game, Aaron was the first injury of the weekend, with a pinky cut and bruise, which would sideline him for Sunday.
Cole before Sunday’s check
On Sunday we were outmatched by the Bridgewater team that had kicked us all over their rink in early Dec. But we played well, had plenty of offensive opportunities and even killed a 2 minute 5 on 3. We just did not score. Adam had some very good looks at the net, but nothing found the back. The defense played well, James had 2 strong periods in net and we took the body. Cole did take a scary check into the boards, but is mending with just some bruises. Tyler also played hurt, with a bruised foot, injured playing at Aiden’s house. That said, we limped home on Sunday knowing that we had improved on the Bears, and without 55 would have easily handled Scarsdale. And the best news is that Zack has no more cast, and is nearly back!
First up this weekend was a trip to Grundy, where the rink is wide and the skaters were fast. We played a very tight first period, but the second was our downfall. Adam got us on the board with a beauty from outside the circle, and played well both at wing and center. But they kept coming with speed, as did the penalties, 7 in all, too much for us to overcome. James was strong in net but we could not avoid the breakaways. The odd man rush can be too much for any goalie. We showed a little life at the beginning of the 3rd when Andrew scored, but they came back strong again. Timmy replaced James in the third and made some great stops. We felt good after the game, and were ready for Sunday.
Chris M takes it wide just before second goal
Flemington was our home opponent, and we made the most of it. Timmy started in net and gave us the early protection we needed as the second year players made their mark. Chris M. put us up first, 1-0. Chris would get another, and just missed the ‘trick’. In between, Eric rushed the net for a goal assited by Chris F. and Noah Z. Then Andrew with a beauty shot and an Adam assist put us up 4-0 early in the 2nd. But the Hawks came back with a breakaway goal to make it closer. Then another.
Adam had a great weekend
We refused to let it get away. Adam closed the door with one of his own with 4:06 to go in the second. James kept them at bay in the 3rd, as did the D, with Matt and Donald using the body well. Andrew would add one more with under a minute to play, and we closed out a 6-2 win. Well Done!
Two losses this weekend, but they were marked by a very positive outlook, and a nail biter against a team that had sent us to the cleaners a few months ago. First, we took a long trek out to PA to visit the Wildcats of Warwick. With no Zack (whose broken arm continues to heal), Richie (knee), and no ‘Brose boys (no injuries, just 2 party popular studs), we were out manned and over matched. But we played hockey. The first period was a testament to our lessons in practice, taking the body and controlling the neutral zone. But they wore us down later in the game. They are 11-1-3 in DVHL league play, and a pretty good group of skaters. Timmy tried to stand on his head, but could not score any goals, so we lost. Our second year guys left PA thinking they could bring more and decided to bring it on Sunday
Timmy with a diving stop
Sunday was a whole lot more interesting, as the ‘Brose boys returned, James played well in net and the second year boys stepped up their game. Flash back to September, these same Chiefs blew us out 8-1. They had their hands full today. The penalty bug was the only mark on the day, with a few too many late shenanigans which put us on the kill way too much. This turned out to lead to the Mercer goals but we countered. Chris M. ended his drought with his first tally of the season, after Adam moved the puck smartly into the zone. The Chiefs kept scoring and we kept matching. Chris F. would also score on an Adam assist. Adam would plate his own score, and barely miss another, 3 points and clearly his best game. Mike S. and Chris F. played a key role, playing both D and O, (thanks coach Tom). Tyler had an assist and almost a goal, as he skated very smartly today. Matt and Andrew were wrecking people with the body clearing guys from in front of our goal, and Donny and Eric were leading the breakout. We pulled the goalie at the end but had to settle for a 4-3 defeat. That said, everyone had a very strong game and we left for the Christmas break feeling great about the team’s weekend improvement. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
We like it when Adam smiles!
James standing cool amid the chaos
(special photo credits to Pee Wee Richie F. who took the shots today)
We traveled far this weekend. Only one game, but Iceline is a trek. The ride was easy, a morning game, and it left time for a good breakfast at the West Chester diner on the way home. Coach asked all of the players to show some gratitude toward their parents who traveled so far to see them play. It’s tough on them.
The hockey was not all that bad, we just did not produce in the offensive zone this day, while the Quakers did. In looking for some good progress from the game, two themes came out. First, we have now developed another center. Over the year, we have usually skated 3 lines and 2 or 3 centers, but until recently Aiden did not get much of a chance at that position. He is showing great anticipation and poise in a spot that requires both. Progress is what its all about, and by Aiden giving us a solid effort in this position, our chances are improved. Its the little things that make a big difference in hockey.
The other highlight was in net. A rare compliment from the referee came at the end of the contest. He said unsolicited, “Its not always apparent from the bench or the stands, but both of your boys made some excellent first saves, and recovered nicely”. It is often tough to be the goalie facing as many shots as we do, but James and Timmy never complain and are improving as the year goes on. Great job boys!
If you had some fun in Hershey, you might see yourself here..not so many ice shots due to the coaching, but I will follow this one with another on our sweet victory this week!
After a tough loss in Bridgewater where we just did not put it together in Coach’s first game back, the boys all agreed to regain their composure and stand strong as a team against Brick on Sunday. And stand tall they did. After waiting for it for most of the first, there was no score, but we were knocking. Timmy was strong in goal, helped by the D who took the body and passed well behind the net to one another. Then finally Adam generated the offense we needed and rushed with Andrew and Tyler on the posts. His shot found Tyler in front to bang it in and we had the lead we would not relinquish.
Richie would get the next one via Chris M. breaking into the zone and shooting at the poking keeper. Goalie did not get all of it, with a crashing Noah, Richie poked it in. 2-0 entering the 3rd.
We were there against Montgomery and went home with a tie. We had Hollydell 1-0 late and could not hold it. The 3rd was to be our test. Aiden worked hard providing us with a solid 3rd line center throughout the contest. Adam had another opportunity with a breakaway where he was dragged down and barely missed a penalty shot. Chris F. and Eric had a number of shots from the point. Aaron would get the next one from Andrew. 3-0 They skated right back to the face off circle won the draw and got another. Andrew shot off the goalie and then batted the rebound out of the air past the keeper 4-0.
As time wound down we wanted the shutout, our first of the year. A mild gasp of concern with 20 seconds left. They came in with 3 skaters, only Matt was back.
No problem, he took the puck carrier out with an open ice check, as he had the whole game. Shutout preserved…enjoy the video.
Some chocolate is sweet, some is bittersweet. We had one of those weekends, with the highlight being the exciting 2-1 nail biter at the old Hershey Arena. Our first game with Bridgewater we all expected the tough contest, having been bested by them earlier in the year.
Getting ready before Game 1
But we took the body and earned their respect, but no points. Later in the day we knew that Hollydell was our prime target, a team we played poorly against in earlier in the year and we wanted them back. Everyone was excited to take them on after a team lunch at a local brewpub.
The first period of the evening saw some back and forth checking, good passing and breakouts. Andrew scored early on a wrister from the top of the circle late in the first, and the Titans were looking to take their first period win and tournament points.
Richie, Chris F. and Matt mob Andrew
A mess in front of our net near the buzzer had everyone holding their breath as the ref signaled that Eric had covered the puck in the crease before time ran out and there would be a penalty shot for Hollydell. James stuffed their shooter and we had our period. James was particularly good this night stopping 26 shots and the D cleared away most of the leftovers after the saves. The second period was scoreless, and featured Chris F. and Chris M. both getting breakaways off blocked shots.
Chris M. gets dragged down
Another opportunity created by getting in the shooting lane.
Chris M. as he was dragged down, shot the puck, it was hit by the goalie but it was falling into the net as Chris’ momentum carried him into the post knocking it off its moorings and negating the goal. Then Andrew passed to Richie in the slot who shot, but the goalie made a great grab to save it. Chris F. and Richie H. chased hard and we killed off both a 5-3 and then a 5-4. With just 3 minutes to play in the game, and the Titans again down a man, they banged home a rebound to tie it, and then put one by to take the lead with just 2 minutes to play. Everyone left that old arena with their heads held high, a great effort, but no W.
Rose Fonte organized a great party with Coach Walsh’s team Friday night at the hotel. Saturday saw our last game with Pearl River which was forgettable. We were flat and they were not, so we were not going to the playoffs this time. Many of the families stayed on to visit Chocolate World and Candy Lane Christmas, sipping hot chocolate and riding the rides. Socially a great weekend and some good team building. Coach returns this week, so its back to hard work.
It frankly was tough to write positive stuff about our game last weekend against the Penguins. We just did not show our lessons at that game or against Hollydell and we seemed very far from the progress of Maryland. With coach on the road for a few games we were a little concerned. The good news is that while this weekend did not find the ultimate elusive magic formula, Saturday’s game against the tough Icedogs, one of the best teams in the DVHL A division was quite rewarding. The boys each did their job, like a team, and the result was good peewee hockey. Passing, breaking out, shooting, and good body work led to a number of opportunities for the Titans.
Chris F. takes to wing
Eric scored off of an Adam shot and Richie scored on a neat play where he faked a pass then shot, totally faking out the goalie. Richie also took to the body and managed his assingments well in his best game. James was good, particularly in the early going where they wanted to blow us out and they had trouble scoring. If not for our penalties, (they scored 4 times with a man in our bin), this was a 2-2 game. Chris F. stepped up and played the wing, adding spark to the offense. Everyone was please leaving the rink for the long trek home.
Young gun has great game
Sunday saw a disappointment in that this team was clearly weaker than us in many ways, yet we let the young Knights control the tempo and the scoreboard. 5 first period goals and a 2 and 10 penalty kept us behind the whole way, and despite one of our best offensive outputs of the year, with goals by Adam, Andrew, Aaron, and 2 by Chris F. , we kept breaking down on D, not supporting Timmy (and then James). Adam and Matt A. had a terrrific game, but we cannot carry a team without more great contributions. The boys knew it was a good chance for a W that they let slip by, and they vowed to come back strong in Hershey! By the way, with the coach out, and my contribution on the bench increased, we may suffer in the photo department. If you have shots of your own we will incorporate them.
The Bridgewater Bears dominated the Titans in a one sided contest. It was a year ago when the ‘96 Titan Pee Wees took on this team and lost to them at Hershey. The Bears were talking before the game that they really wanted to make a statement. They were all first year pee wees then, and their growth and improvement position play really showed in the game Sunday. The NJYHL league leading team scored on the opening faceoff just 10 seconds into the contest, and did not look back. They worked hard, did not gloat or act unsportsmanlike, just put pucks by our keepers and prevented us from generating any offense. We had a lonely 3 shots on goal to their 32, so its no wonder James and then Tim had troubles. Not all our opponents will be so tough. We have to meet these guys again in Hershey, and they will be equally tough. You never know how these things go, and we have some more time to prepare for the tournament over the next 3 weeks.
