Highland Storm’s U13 LL Casey’s Water Wells & Geothermal Inc. faced off against Sturgeon Lake Thunder Feb. 15.
The Storm started well, creating some good scoring chances, hitting many posts and crossbars, but unable to get one in the back of the net.
It was the Thunder that opened the scoring halfway through the first. However, that was the end of the scoring for Sturgeon Lake as goaltender Gavin Suke shut the door for the remainder of the game.
The Storm were without centerman Nolan Frybort and defenceman Mackay Windover and needed extra effort to elevate their defensive play. Travis Mann, moving from the wing to centre, performed extremely well, winning a high percentage of faceoffs and taking care of business in the D-zone.
Huxlee Campbell needed to play on the blueline and stepped up, frustrating his opponents by continually reading the play and intercepting Sturgeon’s passes in the neutral zone, putting the Storm back on the offensive.
Captain Patrick Valentini’s first goal created momentum. A few minutes later, assistant captain Callum Merritt found the back of the net, with what turned out to be the game-winner. Less than 10 seconds later, assistant captain Matthew Mueller blew by the Thunder’s defence and give the Storm a two-goal lead.
Sturgeon had difficulty creating offensive opportunities with Claire Hamilton and Aiden Innes’ hard backchecking – where they stole the puck repeatedly – and the speed, determination and all-out grit of James Hamilton.
Nathan Hill worked hard all game, continually getting the puck out and over his team’s blueline and went to the net hard, coming close to adding to his team’s tally.
As the Thunder’s frustration mounted, the game started to become more physical. Aliyah Cox fearlessly challenged her opponents and continually won battles on the boards. The Storm won 5-1, giving them a 14-1-1 record.
