March 2, 2007
The Cougars drew the first game of the Mite Jamboree tournament – a 6pm Friday start against the always dangerous Jr. Falcons. Our games against Fresno have become tighter over the course of the season in part because the Fresno kids have made so much progress and in part because they want a win and come out skating hard to achieve it.
The Cougars thanked their parents by not causing undue stress to their cardio components by skating hard and working together. Despite the best efforts of Falcon star goalie, Nick Privett, the Cougars built an insurmountable lead with dogged defense and unrelenting rushes.
Josh was to have one of his best games of the year. Just minutes into the game Josh went hard into the corner – no that doesn’t justify it – Josh flung himself headfirst into the corner with no concern for life, limb or future propagation of the Harris family tree. That allowed Will to pull the puck out of the wreckage and fire a centering pass which deflected off Privett’s skates and into the net.
Minutes later Spencer set up a goal by jamming the Falcon offense at the red line and turning play around by passing to Will. This time Will scored from in front of the net with a classic move to the backhand riser and the Cougars were out to a quick 2-0 lead.
Paul was the next to set up a goal with good work in the corner. He found Vanny stationed in front of the net. The first chip was saved but not covered and Vanny’s second chip shot found the back of the net for a par 3.
Then it was Ryan’s turn. It was great to see so many of our younger players getting into the scoring action – showing the depth of the Cougar mite team. Tristan did a good job getting the puck from behind the net but the Falcon defense kicked it out. Justin stopped it inside the blue line and made a nice backhand pass towards the middle where Ryan took the puck and wasted no time in shooting from the mid-slot.
As the announcements were being made for Ryan’s goal, Tristan was charging hard at the Fresno defense as they attempted to break out. Tristan stole the puck, avoided a few sticks along the way to the goal, fired a shot, got his own rebound and knocked it home from the left side of the net. Unassisted and not to be denied.
Like the California Winter Games, the Cougars built a 5-0 lead in the first but then were met with renewed vigor from the Falcons who again demonstrated great heart in the second and third periods after a tough first. Kyle Hancock, Vince Sarment and Konner Gallagher frustrated many Cougar rushes and ’99 speedster Daylon Mannon did some great backchecking. Kurt and Sebastian made some nice rushes the length of the ice and hustled back to cover their positions. John made a number of centering passes and was always in position to help on the breakouts.
Vanny ended the scoring late in the game with a solo rush which brought him mano a mano against Hancock. Vanny attempted to slide the puck under Hancock’s stick but was bumped off the play in the process. He managed to regain his balance and knocked home the loose puck in the crease just before Privett could cover. John kept the puck alive just long enough for Vanny to get there.
Jack posted a shutout – shutting down the big three Falcon scorers, Jake Rohrmann, Conner Haubursin and Mannon despite some fine shots taken. Jack has made huge strides in the past few weeks – no easy goals are getting past The Wall and the Cougar defense is allowing only a few real chances per game.
The was great teamwork in this game – something we didn’t see much of in the last two games. The boys have decided to put their faith in each other and good things are the result!