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LANDON HOCKEY 4 StA 2
The Bears skated off their Den with their 10th consecutive IAC hockey championship, having had an undefeated regular season (one tie) and having swept the two playoff games. Landon outshot the Bulldogs 34 to 14, the home team showed exceptional team offensive and defensive coordination and eventually beat their rival in front of a boisterous fan section.
The early play did not demonstrate that one team was superior; both competitors played hard and under control. The opponents each incurred a penalty and both man up situations were successfully defeated. The third penalty was against the home team, but a break out pass from Alex Norwinski hit Patrick Giles in stride, the big freshman attracted the StA defense to him and he moved the puck, at just the right moment to Michael Soraci who buried it for a short-handed goal @ 3:16.
StA scored later in the same powerplay and tied the game at 1-1 at 2:28.
END OF 1ST PERIOD BEARS 1 BULLDOGS 1
Landon Shots on Goal = 8; StA SoG= 5
In the middle period, Landon controlled the puck for much of the time, but the Bulldog goalie made many tough saves. The visitors were whistled for a penalty and a tremendous play put the Bears ahead @2:05 with Alex again starting the play with a pass to Brian Jordan who got it to Ben Gilbert who scored.
The outcome of the game might have changed when the Bulldogs had consecutive breakaways and both times Jack Concannon saved the dangerous shots. His play kept the momentum in Landon’s favor.
END OF 2nd PERIOD BEARS 2 BULLDOGS 1
Landon SoG = 17/25; StA SoG= 3/8
The game was tied again at 11:44 with a nice StA goal, but Landon took control of the game. First, Patrick Giles passed the puck to Tommy Crittenberger, whose slap shot ripped the nets @ 7:58. Second, Brian passed the puck to Jacob Ruttenberg who scored @ 3:38.
The Bulldogs did not fold, but the Bear D (not just the backline of Alex, Trevor Wolf, Brian, Ben and Jacob) frustrated every thrust into the Landon offensive zone was broken up. This was a team effort; for example, when the StA skaters got off shots, players like Drennan Greene and Ben dropped to the ice to block the puck far from the goal.
It was an exceptional game and demonstrated the benefits of the systems installed by Coaches Farnstrom, Fidler and Anas. By playing as a team, the Bears were well positioned for both defense and offense.
END OF GAME BEARS 4 BULLDOGS 2
Landon SoG =9/34; StA SoG= 6/14
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