Jr. Rockets go 8-0-0
The Strathroy Novice Rep Jr Rockets continued their perfect regular season record with a win on the road in St. Marys, Sunday, and another at home against Southwest on Monday.
In St. Marys, the Rockets battled hard and played as a team. In the first
period, the Rockets carried the play and had numerous scoring chances but
couldn't get one past the solid netminder.
Trailing 1-0 early in the 2nd period, Easton Cowan got things
going as he rifled a shot in the top corner to tie the game at 1 a piece. The
Rockets didn't stop there, as Cowan netted 2 more for the natural hat trick and
Kaleb Boersma and Keith Dortmans each banged one home to take a 5-1 lead into
the 3rd. Assists on the goals went to Noah Williams (2), Logan Parker (2),
Griffin Cann, Mark Hewitt, Noah Kostesku, and Logan Hackney.
Lucas Goulart remained solid in net all game, coming up big when the
team needed him to. In the 1st period, when it appeared St. Marys had taken a
2-0 lead, Goulart wowed the crowd with a miraculous diving stick save to hold
his team within a goal. Isaac McKeown helped the defence shut things down,
defending one on ones perfectly, as the Rockets held on to the lead for a 5-3
win.
Monday night was team picture night and after the Photographer called
them "the best looking team yet", the Rockets hit the ice and looked even better
out there. They skated hard and moved the puck well as a team, winning 12-2,
with no unassisted goals. Hewitt picked up a hat trick while 6 others chipped in
with goals; Parker (2), Cann (2), Hackney (2), Dortmans, Boersma, and Williams.
Cowan set up some goals with beautiful passes and picked up 6 assists. Also
earning assists were Hewitt (3), Dortmans (2), Hackney (2), Williams, Curtis
Lalich, and Parker.
After the win, a new team hard hat was given out to recognize the
hardest working player of the game. Noah Williams earned the right to break it
in, thanks to his strong efforts. As Coach Chris stated, "He hustled all game,
kept their forwards to the outside, moved the puck hard, and even picked up a
goal with a heads up wrister from the point." Also, "he was the only player to
get a penalty," as Keither pointed out.
The Rockets travel to St. Thomas for their next league game this Sunday
and are back at home Monday night to face Dorchester.
The Strathroy Rep Olympic Tournament will be held at The Gemini from
November 2nd-4th. The Rockets will play host to strong teams from Ilderton,
Tilsonburg and Saugeen Shores. Come on out and enjoy the show, it should be a
doozy.