Dec 03, 2016 | Bruce Schlitt | 323 views
Last Minute Goal Sinks Novice Selects
The Halton Hills Thunder scored with just 58 seconds left in the game to defeat the Guelph Gryphons Novice Selects on Saturday evening at the West End Rec Centre. The Gryphons were a victim of some outstanding Halton Hills goaltending as countless point blank shots were turned aside during the contest.
The Gryphons got out to a quick start but breakaway attempts by Peter Schlitt and Milon Wilson were turned aside, a preview of what the rest of the game had in store for the Guelph squad. Halton Hills opened the scoring with 4:19 left in the first and then struck again with 30 seconds left in the period to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
Liam Bendo finally got Guelph on the board with 3:43 remaining in the second period. After scooping up a loose puck in the neutral zone, Bendo skated in all alone and a nifty deke left him with an open net to slide the puck into and the Halton Hill's lead was cut in half. The score remained 2-1 in favour of the Thunder after two periods of play.
The Gryphons tied the game 2:39 into the third period. Defenceman Nathan Bowman picked up the puck behind his own net and raced down the ice and blasted a wrist shot from the hash marks to tie up the game. However, just as the crowd was settling back into their seats, Halton Hills scored again just two minutes later to once again take the lead. Then with, just 5:24 remaining and Guelph killing a penalty, Chace Roffel showed some brilliant puck maneuvering deep in the Halton Hills zone and was able to direct a shot on net. The initial shot was stopped but Brayden Tomei drove the net for the rebound and his second whack at the puck found mesh and the game was once again tied. The Gryphons seemed to have the momentum but could not push the go ahead goal across the line. Then with under a minute left in the game, Halton Hills drove down the ice and Wyatt Crawford out waited the Guelph netminder and slid the puck home for the game winner.
The Gryphons recieved several strong efforts in the game. Milan Wilson was an offensive threat all game and strong defensive performances were turned in by Tanner Johnson and Brody Vanden Beukel.
The Gryphons return to action December 13 when they travel to Georgetown for the second half of the home and home with the Thunder.