Author: Nathan Pascoe
West
Nipissing-January 5, 2024- The U13A Ultimate Sales Sting started their second
half of the season with a loss to the visiting U12A Copper Cliff Reds.
The theme of the game was posts. The Sting
started the game off slow as they looked out of position with their feet barely
moving, and the Reds would capitalize making it 1-0 off a goal by Jack Wall.
This would be the eye opening moment for the Sting though, as they would
dictate the pace of play for the rest of the game. The Sting did an excellent
job in the first of controlling the neutral zone play, and gaining entry to the
Reds zone. The Reds would pot a second goal of the period as Jaxen Beauparlant
was sitting for a retaliatory slash. The only other penalties in the period
came to the Reds, Meric Whissel (tripping and hooking).
Ting,
Ting, Ting, that’s the sound of the puck hitting the post, which would be the
recurring theme of the second period. The Sting did a great job in holding the
offensive zone while the defense core shot puck after puck towards the Reds
net. In one shift Kwinton Rochefort and Gavin Pascoe would hit the post or
crossbar three times. The Sting did a great job scoring a short handed goal as
Bruno Lafond fed Jaxen Beauparlant on a break away. Things were looking great
for the Sting until a high shot was knocked down by a Sting defender and
restored the two goal lead for the Reds. The second period featured penalties
by: Peyton Restoule (tripping), Kwinton Rochefort (roughing) and Justin Richard
(head contact). The Reds would have penalties by Loïc Gagné (head contact, head
contact) Zalec Racicot (cross-checking) and Jax Macneil (head contact).
The
third period would continue with strong play by the Sting, but no goals would
be scored. The only penalty for the Sting came to Justin Richard (roughing).
The Reds would have three penalties: Mannix Gorman (tripping), Jax Macneil
(head contact), and Mannix Gorman (cross-checking). The Sting will play again
next Sunday when they take on the North Bay Trappers at the West Ferris Arena.
The game starts at 2:30pm and will be broadcasted live on Facebook.