WEEKEND OF 11/8/14
The U16 National Little Caps travelled to Philly to face the orange and black Junior Flyers. The game started off well. Matthew Jahn, assisted by Peyton Nash, started the scoring with an even strength goal early in the first period. Trent DeNuccio added a power play strike later in the period, with assists from Nash and Cade Groton. The power play converted again, as DeNuccio scored his second of the game early in the second period, with an assist by David Leitzel. It was 3-0, with the Little Caps ahead. However, the Junior Flyers responded with a quick strike less than a minute after that. The tide had turned and Philadelphia scored again just a few seconds later. When they tied it up a few minutes later and then actually went ahead 4-3, Coach Plocki called a time out, settled his players down to try and get momentum back. Early in the third period, former Little Caps teammate and star Flyers forward Danny Hargadon was injured. The Little Caps not only killed off the subsequent power play, but Sage Bittinger Esser buried a short-handed strike to tie the game 4-4. However, the Little Caps would have to withstand yet another power play awarded to the Junior Flyers late in the third period to send the game into an extra 5 minute overtime period. With a few blocked shots and saves, the Little Caps survived the power play and, in fact, were awarded a power play of their own with just a few seconds remaining in regulation. Yet, the team could not convert even as the penalty time extended into overtime. The Little Caps walked away with one point for the 4-4 tie. Ethan Roth was 18 for 18 in relief.
On Sunday morning, the team was determined to get the two points and that determination showed. The Junior Flyers struck first, midway into the first period. However, the Little Caps tightened up and battened down as that was all they would allow for this game. 1999 defenseman Alec Freyberger buried a shot late in the first period to knot the game up at 1-1. Would we see another nail-biting overtime game? The Little Caps did not want to leave any points on the table, and kept up the pressure. With just 12 seconds left to go in the game, David Leitzel, Cade Groton and Trent DeNuccio combined on the game winning goal much to the delight of the bench and the Little Caps fans and family present. DeNuccio was credited with the goal, to bring his total to 14 in 14 AYHL games played. Kyle Henderson had 24 saves and the TEAM EARNED a big win.
The team and coaching staff want to wish Danny Hargadon a speedy recovery and hope to see him on the ice again soon. Next up Rochester!