2005 National U18 Club Championship

ATLANTIC 1 WEST 5

Round Robin
April 20, 2005
Guertin Arena
Gatineau, QC

By/Par: Graeme Kishiuchi

With both teams looking to pick up their second win of the tournament, the Saskatoon Contacts faced off against the Cole Harbour MaCains in the afternoon match on day 3.  Saskatoon began with some added adversity, when they were forced to start shorthanded, when they took a delay of game penalty before the first face-off.  The period was evenly played as both teams took turns controlling play in the other teams end.  Cole Harbour controlled play late in the period with the great work by Zach Sill and line-mates along the boards in the Contacts end, eventually forcing the Contacts to take a penalty.  On the ensuing power play, Sill scored from the left face-off dot to put the MaCains up 1-0 at 16:44.  The MaCain forwards put on a great display of fore-checking, finishing their checks and not allowing the contacts defensemen much time with the puck.  The period ended with the Contacts out shooting the MaCains 11-5, but down 1-0. 

The first half of the second period was evenly matched, but the Contacts started to come on at the 12 minute mark.  Kyle Bortis and Cody Danberg hooked up for a great chance that Sean Murphy got a piece of to keep from crossing the line.  Saskatoon continued to pressure and at 11:15 Scott Zurevinski slammed home a rebound on a power play to even the score at 1-1.  Three minutes later, David Richard chased down a puck at centre and out-raced Sill before making a great move and scored a shorthanded goal, giving the Contacts their first lead, 2-1.  With the MaCains back on their heels, the Contacts continued to pressure relentlessly and Nick Kalnicki wristed home a power play goal at 6:24 to make it 3-1.  The Contacts continued to own the puck in the MaCains end, generating numerous scoring opportunities, but Murphy kept Cole Harbour within two.  It was the Contacts period, as they out shot the MaCains 12-5.

The Contacts picked up where they left of in the second, with Richard hitting the crossbar 1 minute into the period.  The MaCains continued to work hard despite the Contacts pressure and drew a couple of power plays which yielded some good chances.  The Contacts weathered the power plays and responded shortly after with Richard getting his second of the night from Bortis and Danberg at 7:57 into the third.  On a late power play, Eric Gryba took a cross ice pass and hammered a slap shot past Murphy to make it 5-1.  Saskatoon put on a very strong performance, out shooting against a tenacious Cole Harbour team 41-15, and look to be finding their form heading into their last two round robin games.  Cole Harbour’s Player of the Game was goaltender Sean Murphy, with 36 saves and Saskatoon’s Player of the Game was David Richard, with 2 goals on the night.