California Cougars vs. Capital Thunder

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/104669030400304034890/VsCaptialThunderOct82011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ-rl-KFtrPoDQ

Capital Thunder defeated California Cougars 6-2 in Bantam B game.

Nick Gary stopped 39 shots but it was not enough as the Capital Thunder defeated the California Cougars 6-2 in the season-opening game at the Ice Center of San Mateo (aka Bridgepointe) on Saturday, Oct. 8. Matthew Lydon and Nash Berkowitz netted goals for the Cougars, with Chase Boling blocking several shots on defense and notching the lone assist.

The Cougars displayed some nifty skating in the opening moments but the Thunder rained down 17 shots in the first frame -- holding the Cougars to just a pair -- and grabbed a 2-0 with a lightning quick attack.

But 5:29 into the second stanza, the line of Lydon, Daniel Schmidt and Pace Farbstein got the Cougars on the board as Lydon skated behind the defense and put the biscuit in the basket to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Cougars’ defensive tandem of Max Frenkel and Ryan Bockholt clamp down in the second period -- just as Coach Rob Tenore implored them to do between periods -- allowing only 6 shots on net as the teams played to a standstill.

The Thunder restored the 2-goal lead late in the second period, and added a pair of goals early in the third.

The line of Berkowitz, Kyle Tanaka and John Bohac finally solved the Thunder’s defense as Berkowitz cut the lead to 5-2 when he converted a pass from Boling and rippled the mesh.

Tom Beebe and Elliot Salazar skated tough on defense for the remainder of the period, as the Thunder was able to muster only one more goal on 22 shots.

Physical forward Shura Boz dished out a number of solid hits, while center Adam Rosenduft led the team in winning 8 of 13 faceoffs, while Erik West made several of tape-to-tape passes.

Although the Cougars were outshot 45-15, Coach Tenore said the game was closer than the score indicated, and noted that the team kept battling and had several scoring chances in the third period. Another positive note was shared by Assistant Coach Devin Ernst, who said the team skated evenly with the Thunder in the middle period, as each team scored once on 6 shots. Assistant Coach Christian de Jesus added that the Cougars were a perfect 3-for-3 on their penalty kill. Goalie Carson Murison commented that Schmidt peppered the opposing goalie with several shots, while Tanaka nearly converted a breakaway.

Goals: Lydon (1), Berkowitz (1)

Assists: Bolling (1)

Next Game: Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 at 4:30pm vs. the Santa Clara Blackhawks at Ice Center of San Mateo.