Le Moyne Falls In Home Opener
Erases 3 Goal Deficit But Falls Short
The Le Moyne Hockey Club opened its 2009-2010 home season last night, losing to BCC 8-6. It is the second straight loss to start the season, but things looked brighter for the rookie-filled squad.
The team trailed 3-0 at one point, then fought back to tie the game. From there it was a see-saw battle as both teams traded goals. In the end, though, BCC fought off the determined Dolphins with 2 unanswered goals.
Junior rookie Bay Stoker, who joined the team only Tuesdy, scored 2 goals and added 3 assists for 5 points in his college debut. Senior scoring ace Bob Shattell notched his first points of the season, scoring twice and adding 2 assists. Freshman Adam Reask scored his second goal of the season in as many games and Junior Adam Bezek chipped in with his first of the season. The line of Bezek, Shattell and Stoker combined for 5 goals and 5 assists for 10 points on the night. "That line kind of clicked right away" said Head Coach Andy Musto. Rookie Steve Streiff suffered an apparent shoulder injury early in the first period after throwing a big hit on a BCC player, forcing the team to make some adjustments. "Streak (Streiff) is a big part of this team and he got injured early in the game. He is a high energy guy and likes to play physical, absolutely no fear type player. After he got hurt I had to shuffle things around. I put Stoker with Shatts and Beez and things happened. I knew Stoker wasn't going to have his skating legs yet, but he really stepped up. He has alot of talent and is a great team guy. He played a ton of minutes after being on the ice only once. Due to injury and illness to a couple guys I had to play him last night. 5 points after only skating once is phenomenal." Rookies Sean Grogan, Joey Perry and Nate West all collected the first points of their college careers with assists last night. Will Kaljeski also chipped in with a helper. " Coach Ives said it best to me after the game " said Musto. " He said alot of kids grew up last night and he was right. Alot of kids showed us they could play at this level and contribute. I was proud of our young guys. Sure, they made some mistakes but overall they played their hearts out. They showed me they can come back, play hard for 60 minutes which is what I demand." Musto also singled out Perry for individual praise; "Perry is going to be my pest. He is going to get under players skin. He skates like the wind, hits anybody, is small in stature but plays like he is 6'4. He took on the biggest guy on BCC last night in a scrum and didn't back down. He went to the aid of his teammate and I was proud of him. I told the guys if we back each other up and players know their teammates are there for them we will be tough to beat." Senior goalie Rob Ennis made 36 saves and also received praise from Musto ; "Robbie faced a ton of odd man rushes. He really played well. When Robbie plays with an edge he is at his best and he was nasty at times last night." While pleased with his teams effort, Musto pointed out a couple areas that need to improve quickly. " We just gave up too many shots and too many odd man rushes and we need to work on that. It comes from our forwards not getting back on defense quick enough. 2 or 3 seconds of 3 on 2 or 5 on 3 is an eternity and bad things happen. If that doesn't change we don't win".
The team travels a short distance down Route 81 Friday night, Nov. 6th at 7pm, to face league rivals Cazenovia in a non-league game. The team returns home to open the 2009-2010 UNYCHL League season against Oneonta at Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 7th at 7:45pm to complete a grueling 3 games in 4 nights stretch.. Coach Musto asks the fans to come to both games. "We had a great turnout vs. Bcc and we would like to see that continue. The Nation arena where Cazenovia plays is only 10 minutes from campus and its a beautiful arena. It would be nice to have some fans there for a road game. I think having a good crowd really kept the guys in the game last night. The fans were great and we really need them for the league games."
ICE CHIPS: Justin Stranz was given a team high 12 minutes in penalties after a hit last night late in the 3rd period...the team also played without freshman Dan Sokol who suffered a shoulder injury in the game against BCC in October and is listed as day to day...the flu bug struck several players last week and a few were still showing the effects last night...
UPCOMING GAMES:
at Cazenovia Friday, November 6th 7pm at the Nation Arena Nedrow
vs. Oneonta November 7th at 7:45pm at the Coliseum (UNYCHL League Game)
UNYCHL STANDINGS:
unychl.tripod.com/id2.html