Nationals Notebook Day 2
AAA Blue Jackets Rebound with Big Win
Having started play in the national Tier I 18U tournament in St. Louis on Wednesday by dropping their opening game, the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets were badly in need of some points Thursday against the Maine Nordiques.
Four different players scored goals, including Cole Miller who also added a pair of assists, and Ohio’s special teams came up big in a 4-1 win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
The Blue Jackets scored three times on the power play, built a 3-0 lead after two periods, and killed off all six Maine power plays on their way to the win behind goaltender Michal Sochan (25 saves on 26 shots) who was sharp for the second day in a row.
“We’ve played really hard both games,” said Ohio head coach Darryl Noren. “We just ran into a really good team in Rochester in our first game.”
There is a quick turnaround for Noren’s group as they are back on the ice Friday at 10:15 a.m. CDT for their final game of the preliminary round against the Rocky Mountain Roughriders (CO)
Gilmour Girls Score First, but Lose Opener
Alaina Giampietro broke the ice 22 seconds into the second period, but the Gilmour Gladiators 16U ultimately dropped a 4-1 decision to Select Academy (NY) in an early-morning faceoff (8:45 a.m.) Thursday in West Chester, PA.
Gilmour played very well for two periods, out-playing and out-shooting Selects Academy, which took seven penalties in the game to only one for Gilmour, but the Gladiators went 0-for-7 on the power play.
Losing the opening game puts the team in a tough spot early in the tournament.
“They capitalized on some mistakes in the third period,” said head coach Seanna Conway. “Our goal tomorrow is to capitalize on our special teams a little more.”
The Gladiators will try to get into the win column Friday at 5:00 p.m. EDT against Minnesota Elite Vegas (MN).
Team Ohio Title Defense Starts off on the Wrong Foot
The 2019 Tier II 18U national champions from Team Ohio began their title defense by playing the “home” team at their event, the Green Bay Bobcats.
Hayden Payne (St. Edward) scored the only goal of the first period on a power play, but Team Ohio was not able to hold the lead. Despite out-shooting Green Bay, 26-16, over the final two periods they did not light the lamp again and fell short, 2-1.
Team Ohio goaltender Aiden Knox (Padua Franciscan) turned aside 27 of 29 shots but took the tough-luck loss.
In order for the title defense to get back on track, Team Ohio will need to win tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. CDT against the Littleton Hawks (CO).
Team Ohio 16U Opens with Win
Team Ohio’s 16U team was the last of the Ohio contingent to get their 2021 National tournament underway, going up against the Gulf Coast Flames (FL) in Grand Rapids, MI at 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday.
Team Ohio won in overtime, 2-1, behind a pair of goals from Noah Colasanti (Walsh Jesuit) and the goaltending of Tavian Parks who made 33 saves - 20 over the final two periods.
Teams only collect two points for an OT win (as opposed to three for a regulation win), but it was enough to move Ohio into second place in their group.
A win over the Philadelphia Blazers on Friday could secure a berth in Sunday’s quarterfinals for TO. Puck drop is 12:15 p.m. EDT.
--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest
