Squirt Walker finishes 2nd in Silver Sticks Philly Regional

The Jr Titans registered their first championship game appearance as a club at Silver Sticks in the Philly Regional over the w/end. Coach Walkers Squirts placed 2nd in their bracket in round robin play before moving onto the one game elimination playoff’s winning in the Qtr’s and Semi’s before bowing to the NJ Bandits 3-1 in the championship game. Teams from NJ, NY, Pa, Va and Del , in all 16 total, competed for the grand prize of playing in Canada in January 2010. Our very own Red and White played in 6 games total, 3 round robin games and 3 playoff games, going 4-2 overall, scoring 30 goals while giving up 11. Every Titan player registered a point in the tournament. All of our forwards scored a goal and all of our blueliners played stellar defensive hockey in a 3 day span. Tommy played goal in all 6 games and simply put played his heart out between the pipes.

In a span of 3 days we had our downers, giving up 3 goals in 4 minutes in losing to the Saints and falling to the Bandits in the finals and our ups in bouncing back in a must win 2nd game against the Prowl winning 3-1, beating Red Bank 8-1 in the Qtrs, having the lead for 35 minutes in the Semi’s against the Edge, watching our lead erased by a tip in to send the game into OT only to see Shane flip a perfect saucer pass over 2 Edge defender sticks to Jack who pushed the puck through the legs of a charging Edge defender setting up a 1-1 battle with their goalie with Jack wristing the game winner top shelf sending the Jr Titan faithful into an eruption heard all the way up to the shore(AWESOME!!!). Probably the highlite of the tourney game in the final game against the Bandits, our boys coming off their 5th game in a 48 hour span donned their Red and White road Reds for the final and played their hearts out from the drop of the puck to the final horn. Not once did they let up pushing their tired heavy legs more and more giving their all for 36 minutes. In the end they lost on the scoreboard, but in our hearts they won, showing their fan base what a group of 9 and 10 year olds are capable of doing when they play a game they dearly love.

Special thanks to the friends and family of our Jr Titans, who were the loudest fans during the tournament. Thanks to Kristine for coordinating the travel plans for us parents. Thanks to Marlene and Jerry for the late night pizza that filled our hungry bellies Friday and Saturday nights. Thanks to our coaches, John and Jeff for their game leadership with the kids. Randy as their Head Coach couldn’t have done a better job manning the ship as their Captain executing a great game plan over the 3 day span. And last but not least to our players below who wore their Jr Titans sweaters with pride at Silver Sticks letting the youth hockey world know who they are, the Jr Titan Squirt Walker team from Wall NJ!!!! Well done boys, well done!!!! Go Titans!!!

Walker Squirts go 2-0 over weekend

Coach Walkers Squirts went 2-0 against the DVHL over the w/end beating the Colonials from Valley Forge and the Blazers from Bristol in a rematch from the prior week.

On Saturday morning our home White took on Valley Forge and found themselves down early 2-0 after one period. The game was very physical and it would take our speed to tie the game  with 2 goals in the 2nd and the go ahead goal in the 3rd. Alex got us on the board with a nice short handed goal wristing the puck off the far post mid way thru the 2nd waking the lads up. Next up was Trevor as he went coast to coast tieing the game  with a wrist shot. Both teams would battle hard in the 3rd, but it would be Trevor once again taking advantage of an open lane in the middle of the ice putting the boys up for good 3-2 with his 2nd of the game. Tommy would stop some last second shots from the Colonials icing the game, final 3-2 Jr Titans.

Sunday morning we would travel over the Delaware River to play the Blazers in a rematch from the prior week. Last weeks game went back and forth with both teams exchanging goals before our home White took the game over scoring 3 in the final period. this morning we would score twice in all 3 periods, beating the home Blazers 6-0. Alex led road Red  netting 4 goals, with John C and Ryan D each recording a goal. The highlite goal of the game came in the 2nd period with John G hitting Alex in front of the net with a nice pass from behind the net and Alex one timing the pass off the goalies glove for a Titan goal. Our blueliners shined as well, playing solid defense the entire game. Tommy was solid between the pipes earning the shutout. Another solid team effort all around. Well done boys, well done. Go Titans!!!!

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Squirt Major Game Notes

NJ Jr. Titans vs. Valley Forge Colonials

Saturday Nov. 21, 2009 at GCA 10:00am

Welcome to the NJ Jr. Titans Squirt Major home game this morning.  Today we host perennial DVHL powerhouse Valley Forge Colonials out of Centre Ice Arena in Oaks, PA.  The Colonials are usually at the top of the DVHL standings, so we expect nothing less than a physical, swift-skating, Squirt squad to push our Jr. Titans.  Another quality opponent for us as we prepare for the physical brand of hockey we are sure to see at the SilverStick Regional Championships next weekend in Westchester, PA.  We welcome John Gelatt and Ryan Burns back to the lineup this weekend as they prepare to play with us over Thanksgiving weekend.

The Squirts come into today’s game with a 15-6-3 record after last weekend’s home sweep – a 10-1 win at vs. the Glaciers and a 8-4 win against the Bristol Blazers (tomorrow’s opponent).  Your Jr. Titans were outstanding last weekend, especially with our pressure on the forecheck. We created a multitude of turnovers along the boards that resulted in clean scoring chances out of our offensive zone triangle. Our faceoff plays started to click and allowed us to gain immediate puck possession more often than both the Glaciers and the Blazers – both teams seemed surprised by our skill level and our quick-strike ability off the rush.  The Glaciers received the full onslaught of our roster after seeing only 10 skaters visit them in PA during our 5-5 tie last month. As for the Blazers, we could certainly tell they haven’t been pushed around like that before as many of their parents and players were out of control – not to mention the parent who was kicked out of the rink and their team videographer who didn’t have a very clean vocabulary.    Today’s Colonials squad and tomorrow’s Blazers promise to be an extreme test for our Squirts – the coaching staff is very anxious to see if we can sustain our high level of play this weekend.

Practice this week was spent on attacking the puck in the offensive zone and getting in the proper shooting position during odd-man rushes.  Our emphasis lately is performing skills at a higher pace – skills that will be required as our schedule gets tougher during the second half of the season.  Our Squirts are grasping the more advanced drills and we are thrilled at their most recent work ethic in practice. 

Look for continued intensity and energy from your Titans this morning. We need another two-game sweep.

                   THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

Walker Squirts return to winning ways going 2-0 over w/end

NJ Jr. Titans vs. Glaciers

Saturday Nov. 14, 2009 at GCA 3:30pm

Welcome to the NJ Jr. Titans Squirt Major home game this afternoon.  Today we host a strong Glaciers squad from FaceOff Circle Arena in Pennsylvania.  The Glaciers proved to be a formidable opponent when we met last month – we pulled the goalie to tie the score (5-5) with just under 30 seconds left in the game – a point shot from Ryan Damelio that deflected off Brianna Haviland and Alex Phipps. The Glaciers have a tough blend of speed and skill which promises to give us another good test here at home as we prepare for the Silver Stick Tournament later this month against the best Squirt teams in the Tri-State area.  We are looking forward to competing with our full lineup today after spending the last few games shorthanded.

The Squirts come into today’s game with a 13-6-3 record after last weekend’s split – a 4-1 win at home vs. the Devils and a 7-2 loss on the road to the Flyers Youth.  Your Jr. Titans dominated the Devils last Saturday with a combination of slick passing and solid Offensive zone play. Our In-zone forecheck and  triangle cycling kept pressure on the Devils for the entire game, enabling us to take advantage and produce four goals.  Last Sunday, we played a tremendous first period and contained a very good Flyers Youth team.  In the second period, our recent inconsistency showed and the game got away from us, enroute to a stinging 7-2 loss. Our team continuity has been off the past couple of weeks with various lineup changes – we expect things to get back to normal now that our core lineup is back together.  The next few games against some solid PA teams will push us to be at our best on Thanksgiving Weekend at the Silver Stick Regional Championships.

Practice this week was spent on quick puck movement involved in the breakout and with the neutral zone regroup – the coaches still feel we can be quicker and more accurate in moving the puck, therefore it continues to be an area of emphasis.  We need to re-kindle our best asset -  puck pursuit – we’ve slowed in our attack of the puck lately – we expect to rectify that this afternoon.  We’ve started to create set plays off the faceoffs in each zone – it will be interesting to see how this applies in game situations. 

Look for renewed intensity and energy from your Titans this afternoon. We need a good two-game sweep.

                   THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

Squirt Walker ties both over w/end

Coach Walkers Squirts played to 2 ties over the w/end, matching goals with the Skyland Kings 3-3 on Saturday and 5-5 with the Glaciers on Sunday.

Saturday our road Red traveled to northwest NJ to Sussex County to play the Skyland Kings AA team located on Rt 23. The game went back and forth with Skyland scoring first and our boys leveling the score with just under 3 mins left in the game. Both teams were evenly matched and skated a strong game. Both goalies came up with big saves, John C especially had some nice saves to keep us in the game. All 3 goals were the products of great passing from our team. Ian got us on the board first netting the puck between the pads of the goalie from a perfect pass from Shane on a Jr Titans 2-1 breakout. Alex netted the next 2 goals from spot on passes from Trevor. A good game from the entire team once again and a well earned tie. Well done boys, well done.

Squirt Walker spilts w/end action

Coach Walkers team split over the w/end beating the Devils 11-3 and losing to the Bandits Sunday 4-0.

On Saturday our road Red warriors saw themselves tied mid way thru the 2nd period to a pesky Devil squad 3-3. After the Devils tied it up Coach Price pulled his best Coach Brooks impression by calling a time out to speak to the boys. Well it worked, he calmed them down and as Coach Brooks would say ” Play your game” , which we did scoring the next 8 goals winning going away. Shane led the scoring tallying a hat trick, with. Trevor and Alex scoring twice and Jack, Briana, Ryan D and Ryan M(first goal of the season) each scoring once. Overall another strong team effort. Well done boys, well done.

Sunday would be an entirely different game for our home White. From the drop of the puck our boys were beat by a very strong Bandits squad from Wayne. We had our chances only to see them stopped by a stellar defense. Tommy played a stong net holding the Bandits at bay throughout the game making some great saves between the pipes, but in the end it was not our day. We hope to see the Bandits again possibly at Silver Sticks with that game a better outcome for our Jr Titans. On to the next game. Go Titans!!!

Coach Walkers Squirts go 2-0 over the w/end.

Our Red and White went 2-0 over the w/end meeting and beating once again the Wildcats from Warwick Pa and the Blackhawks from Toms River. Both games were played on the road.

On Saturday our road Red traveled to North East Philly to play the Wildcats in an earlier rematch won previously by our Titans 6-1. This game would prove to be a tougher game for our boys, but we would prevail in the end 4-2. Trevor led the scoring with a hat trick with Sean recording a goal as well. We took 10 penalties in the game which allowed the team to hone their skills in the defensive zone, which they did without issue.Thomas was strong between the pipes yet again. Overall another strong team effort by the lads from Wall. Well done boys, well done!!!!

On Sunday we would travel down the parkway to Winding River Park to play the Blackhawks. It would be the third meeting of this young season between the shore clubs. With the Blackhawks dropping the first two games to our Red and White, the Hawks were looking for payback and early on in the first period they played like it was their game to lose. With the game scoreless late in the first period(thanks to some great saves by John C) and play deep in the Hawks zone, Briana opened the scoring with quick hands knocking a loose puck between the Hawks goalie putting the Titans up 1-0 late in the 1st period. The goal by Briana proved to be a juggernaut for our lads, as we would dominate the rest of the game with precise passing and stellar defensive play winning the game running away 8-1 over a strong Hawks team. Ian would lead the scoring with his first multiple goal game of the season, netting two goals with single goals from Alex, Briana, Sean, Jack, Trevor and Shane. Shout outs to our Blue liners Trevor, Ryan, Cole and Jon who played strong defensively. A special shout out to Alex who had some great passes throughout the game setting up multiple Titan goals. The high-lite goal came on a 2 on 1 with Alex flipping the puck over the stick of the Hawks defender and Jack one timing it by snapping it out of the air into the back of the cage for a great goal. Once again a solid team effort from all our Jr Titans on Coach Walkers team. Well done boys, well done. Go Titans!!!

Squirt Major Game Notes

NJ Jr. Titans vs. Red Bank Generals

Saturday Sept. 26, 2009 at GCA 1:45pm

Welcome to the NJ Jr. Titans Squirt Major home game this afternoon.  Today we host our in-state rival, the Red Bank Generals, who many expect to be in contention for the Silver Stick Regional Championship in Westchester, PA on Thanksgiving weekend. The Generals are known for their deep talent pool, so we are sure to see a skilled, offensive opponent today.  Our Squirts will be tested in every facet of the game – our goal is to attack the puck and create offense from turnovers on the forecheck – we must use our speed thru the neutral zone to create scoring chances off the rush. Our lineup is finally at full strength after a few weeks of injury and illness – no call-ups were required this afternoon.

The Squirts come into today’s game with a 8-3-1 record after last Saturday’s 6-1 win over Warwick and a great 1-1 battle with the NJ Bandits in Wayne, NJ Sunday.  Your Jr. Titans dominated Warwick last week with a combination of slick passing and solid Defensive zone play.  Our aggressive approach to the puck kept the Wildcats pinned in their zone for much of the game, enabling us to wear them down and produce six goals.  Last Sunday, the coaching staff was even more impressed as we marched into the Ice Vault and wrestled a 3-3 tie from the Bandits with our depleted lineup of 10 skaters.  Every player was outstanding in fighting back to earn the tie with just under three minutes remaining in the game.  Thomas Walker made a spectacular knee-hockey save with his stick to keep the game at 3-2 until Trevor Cear had time to knot the game on a deflection off a Bandit defenseman.  We expect to see more of the Bandits at Regional Silver Sticks – we can feel a rivalry brewing with the Bandits too…..

Practice this week was spent on puck movement – the coaches still feel we can be quicker and more accurate in moving the puck, therefore it continues to be an area of emphasis.  We are pleased with our puck pursuit – we will continue to push the players to attak the puck in all three zones – it creates turnovers and allows us to use our speed and creativity on offense.  Defensive zone positioning will be important today against the Generals, so look for our Squirts to apply their intensity in this area as well. 

We look forward to a solid effort from the Squirts this afternoon. Enjoy the day off tomorrow.

                   THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT