Mar 13, 2016 | Bruce Schlitt | 1113 views
Novice AA Drop Opener of Tri County Final
Despite a healthy advantage in shots, the Novice AA Gryphons were done in by dynamite goaltending en route to a 3-1 loss to the Burlington Eagles in Game 1 of the Novice AA Tri County Finals.
Burlington got off to a quick start as Jacob Power converted a pass out in front from Cam Lang just 50 seconds into the opening period for a 1-0 lead. The Gryphons peppered the Burlington net with 11 shots in the remainder of the period but were unable to put anything past the goalie and Burlington held a 1-0 lead after one period of play.
Burlington scored the only goal of the second period. As time wound down on a Gryphon power play, Burlington iced the puck only to have the penalty expire and Cam Lang pop out for an unexpected breakaway. Lang made no mistake as he sniped top corner for a 2-0 lead. Brendan Keogh and Jacob Power drew assists on the play. Again in the period, the Gryphons had several quality scoring chances, including a breakaway by Noah Milne, turned aside.
Burlington increased their lead to 3-0 4:40 into the third as Brendan Keogh converted on a scramble out front. Jacob Power and Cam Lang drew the assists. The Gryphons were finally able to break the goose egg on the power play with 6:27 left as Hunter Solomon blasted a wrist shot from the point that found the top corner. Trenton Harris assisted on the play. That would be all the offense that the Gryphons would be able to generate on the day and the final score was 3-1 for the visiting Eagles.
Game 2 of the series takes place next Sunday (March 20) as the Gryphons travel to Burlington.