NOTL #1 v.s. Black Knights
Team Player Connor Wright (Middle)
Smooth Moves Mackenzie Covey (Right)
Game Grinder Grant Sinclair (Left)
Knights at night in NOTL. The second road game of the year took us to NOTL to battle the Wolves #1. A slow start tonight saw The Black Knights get into a back and forth match against a team we can beat. Mackenzie Covey showed up to play and stayed in position skating her lane on the wing like a champ. Getting control of the breakout pass and moving it quickly earned 'Mac' the Smooth Moves Star today. Grant Sinclair had some good chances and took some hard shots on the net... ping ponging one off of several legs to beat the NOTL keeper. Grant was given the Game Grinder Star today. Connor Wright demonstrated that when he wants to carry the puck it's pretty hard to get it from him and took it deep into opposition territory a couple of times. Connor also held down the fort in our end clearing dangerous pucks to earn the Team Player Star. Kaden Falardeau continued his hard work and forechecked the NOTL D causing several turnovers resulting in great scoring chances and threw in a little backchecking to put a cap on another great effort. Dylan Elsie started out the game on D to give Collin VanDongen a chance to stretch his legs on forward. Dylan showed he can play at the back as well as he does the front making him a valuable member of this TEAM. Collin skated through the neutral zone and was in position in the offensive end waiting for any opportunity in front of the oppostion net. Spencer Main had some great moments as he took control on several occassions gaining us some much needed offensive zone time. Sam Desormiers is coming close and is keeping his feet moving forcing the play as well as getting to loose pucks along the boards in the neutral zone. Jordan Dekoe showed some determination this game and this Coach can see the wheels turning as she learns the finer points of this game....a sign of good things to come. Desmond Leavens picked up where he left off and worked his magic along the boards showing the hard work that Coaches love to see. Trent Brogan took over centre while Dylan played at the back and showed some promise in the middle using his size to out muscle the NOTL centres on the draws. Landon Pringle had a strong showing on the blue line and continues to develop into a solid rear guard. Eric Edwards had another good game jumping in to pinch in the offensive zone giving our forwards more time to work the puck around.. as well as joining the rush a couple of times. Blake Silenzi continues to play bigger than his size would suggest as he gave the NOTL players all they could handle along the boards and continues to come out of 'no win' situations with the puck. Michael Snyder once again saw lots of shots as well as having to contend with a lot of traffic in front of his net. Mike made some great stops when called upon to give us the confidence that he is there to make the stop when we make mistakes. We were flat as a TEAM throughout this contest and passing was not there tonight. Individual effort is great and we need that from everyone but.....we also need to play as a TEAM. If your TEAM mate is closer to the opposition net give it to them, if they are alone in front and you're in the corner, send it to the slot.. don't try the wrap around. Backchecking is key to any successful TEAM and tonight we didn't. If you get beat, that's fine, head down, and get back... don't slump your shoulders or give up. TEAM effort will trump individual skill any day...not a bad game at all, but definitely not as good as I know you guys/girls can play. Let's be ready for our next one.