Three games on the weekend meant lots of hockey for the boys and an opportunity to take the lead in the Bluewater U11C League.
Friday night had the second half of a back to back against Belle River who without a doubt were looking to avenge a loss in Kingsville the previous weekend. The Storm started out quickly with a strong rush and very nice goal by Emmitt Santarossa. However, the Canadiens came rolling back and if it wasn’t for excellent goaltending by Jackson Keller, the tide could have turned quickly. The persistent Canadiens broke through with two goals to put Erie on the back foot going into the third. The boys showed great resilience with Owen Martin grabbing the puck around our blue line and charged down the boards to rip a beautiful wrister over the goalie to earn the 2-2 tie. Santarossa earned player of the game for his goal, hard work and responsible play all over the ice.
Saturday had the boys against a tenacious Chatham-Kent Cobras team. The Storm started with a sweet goal from Zack Hammond and proceeded to impose a strong forecheck hemming the Cobras repeatedly in their own end. Strong defensive play by Jackson Schneckenburger continually carrying the puck out of trouble ensured limited chances on Jackson Keller who was between the pipes for a second consecutive game. Alessio Incitti, who has been encouraged to play ‘big man hockey’ took the puck hard to the net, shot it, gathered the rebound and lifted the puck over the goalie and Emmitt Santarossa scored his second in as many games to seal the 3-1 victory. Jackson Schneckenburger earned player of the game with his timely rushes and stout defense on the back end.
Sunday had the team travelling to Tilbury to complete the second game of back to back against Chatham-Kent. Without a doubt rivalries are building and with the Storm being the top team in the league means that they’ve got no easy games from here on out. However, characteristic of this team thus far is that they came out strong and put pressure on the opposition with hard work and determination. The first period and a half was a pretty dominant performance and was capped off by a goal from Alessio Incitti and a spectacular end to end rush and goal by Patrick Nantais. A third goal was scored by Cooper Autterson who deserved this reward after his continued hard work pressuring the puck all game. Despite the Cobra’s best attempt to get the boys off their game, they endured, as they seem to do, and some hard work by centre Reagan Spitse led to him potting an empty netter to seal the 4-1 win. Goalie Carter Russell earned the victory between the pipes and Autterson won the player of the game for his strong play.
Article by Coach Larsen