ENS U11C were on the road at Tecumseh on Saturday and Essex on Sunday trying to get back on track after a tough loss against Belle River last weekend.
This is always an interesting time of year in hockey. Typically, you see the results of hard work in practice paying dividends as teams that struggle out of the gate get rolling. Furthermore, some teams match up well against others making all of the games they play close ones. The Tecumseh-Shoreline Eagles are a great example of this. While they only have three wins on the season, they give the Storm fits through locking down the front of their net on defense and then counterattacking on turnovers. Last game between the two teams ended in a 4-3 win for the Storm on a last ditch effort to pull out a victory. This game featured Jaxon Keller between the pipes who has been rock solid for the Storm over the last month and a half. He had to be very good as the Eagles continued to play their frustrating style of hockey. This included the Eagles goalie stuffing Zack Hammond on a breakaway. The boys kept at it as a result of “Hammel-time” with Sam Hammel doing his thing and banging in a rebound in front of the net. Centreman Reagan Spitse, one of the most reliable and consistent players for Coach Woolgar, got a nice goal and as a result of his strong play earned the golden bucket for player of the game. All of this good work still meant the game was tied with two minutes left when Alessio Incitti ripped a shot from the top of the circle past the Tecumseh goalie to seal the 3-2 victory.
To say there is a rivalry between the Talbot Trail Blazers and the Storm is an understatement. The rivalries between these centres transcend almost any sport. Like Tecumseh on Saturday, the Blazers always give Erie a tough game. Lots of physical play and intensity from the players and coaches is a hallmark of the season series between these two squads. The boys got off to a strong start scoring the first goal, however it wasn’t surprising that the Blazers came right back and tied it up. Unshaken, the team came prepared and exerted their will in every facet of the game after that. With Carter Russell shutting the door the rest of the way and very solid play on the back end, they poured it on scoring 9 unanswered goals. Each forward line had at least two goals, but the line of Irvine, Larsen and Autterson had 5 goals, with Irvine getting a hat trick, Autterson netting one goal and Larsen getting one and notching 4 assists. When they are strong on the puck and pass this is quite the line to watch. Not to be out done, Zack Hammond scored a hat trick and Emmitt Santarossa had two after some great work by their teammates to get them the puck. For his strong play, Thomas Larsen won player of the game. Without a doubt, this victory will stick in the minds of the Blazers and the boys better be ready for the next time they play them. The two victories on the weekend and a big home win by Windsor over Belle River led to the Storm taking back the lead in the Bluewater Hockey League with a 10-1-2 record on the season.
Article by Coach Larsen