ROLLING IN ROCHESTER
The Washington Little Caps U16 National team travelled to Rochester for their third NJPHL Showcase weekend, and as they rolled into town, they most definitely had a target on their back – as they were the only undefeated team in the league. The league commish set the weekend’s round robin to match up the Caps against the second place (at the time) team twice, as well as the Michigan Warriors who held on to the second seat in the Western Conference all within 24 hours. Your Little Caps did not disappoint, as they went 4-0 on the weekend, and maintained their seat atop the league. Here are the game recaps:
WLC U16N 4 vs. Michigan Warriors 0
The Little Caps had previously beaten the Michigan Warriors 4-1 in Detroit. In that game back in September, the Warriors scored in the first period, but the Little Caps responded with four straight unanswered goals for the victory. Two months later, the Little Caps continued to shut down the Warriors offense for yet another convincing win. The early morning game started slow, though the Little Caps were awake and shooting. In the second period, Matthew Jahn finally broke through with the first goal. Cade Groton had a snipe to make it 2-0 in favor of the Little Caps. His line mate, Trent DeNuccio would add another one for an explosive second period. In the NJPHL showcases, they cut the ice halfway through the second period, and the boys headed to the locker room with a 3-0 lead. The rink staff was unaware of the ice cut planning, and it took some time for the game to resume. Would the down time change the game plan or work in the Warriors favor for them to mount a comeback? No, the Little Caps finished where they had left off in the first half of the game. They continued to shut down the Warriors, and DeNuccio added a power play goal in the third period off a David Leitzel feed. Goalie Kyle Henderson had 26 saves and the win in net.
WLC U16N 3 vs. Cincinnati Swords 2
In the first meeting of the two teams, the Little Caps had to work hard and dig in to come out the win. The Swords had lost that morning to the Pittsburgh Predators (who the Little Caps beat 2-0 in Buffalo) and had therefore slipped out of second place. Nevertheless, they were one of the few teams that the Little Caps had not yet seen in round robin play. The game started strong for the Caps, with Theo Lenz shooting it from the blue line and Jack Good tipping it in for the first score. However, shortly thereafter, the Swords responded as they had an odd man rush and buried a rebound to tie the game in the first period. The Little Caps looked tired from their early morning wake up, first game, and SUNY Brockport college tour. They went into the halftime ice cut with a 1-1 tie. The Little Caps came back in the second half of the second period to face another penalty kill. This time, the Swords converted and took their first lead of the game. The third period started with the Little Caps on their heels, down a goal and with over a minute left to kill on yet another Cincinnati power play. After killing the penalty, the Caps needed some energy and found it when Peyton Nash tied up the game with a great shot. The game was tied, but the Little Caps were called for yet another penalty. Not only did they kill it off, but Nash made a sweet pass to Jack Good, who finished for what would be the eventual game winning goal. Good had two goals and an assist against the Swords. Cincinnati pulled their goalie to try and tie it up at the end, but the Little Caps held on for their 10th win in the NJPHL. Ethan Roth made 18 saves in the winning effort.
WLC U16N 6 vs Utah Grizzlies 1
The Little Caps had not yet seen the Grizzlies in NJPHL play, but were focused on maintaining their lead in the standings. In another early morning game (8am!), the Little Caps had two successive early power play chances, and converted on the second one. Cade Groton had yet another great shot to give the Little Caps the early 1-0 lead. Yet, it would not hold as the Grizzlies skated right back with their own snipe to tie the game. The Grizzlies goal was enough to wake up the Little Caps potent offense. Drew Lorinchak scored off a feed from Peyton Nash and Matthew Jahn to grab the lead back in the first period. The Little Caps faced two more penalty kills before halftime and the ice cut. Whatever Coach Plocki said to the boys, or they said to each other, worked, as they came back out for the second half and controlled the game. Groton started off the scoring party with his second goal. Jack Good then tallied to make it 4-1 at the end of two periods. After killing off yet another Grizzlies power play, Groton assisted on a goal by defenseman Geoff Kostrzebski. Richie Kaye tallied from a nice pass by Sage Bittinger-Esser for the sixth and final goal. Ethan Roth had the win in net for the Little Caps.
WLC U16N 4 vs. Cincinnati Swords 0
The Little Caps were intent on keeping their NJPHL undefeated record, and it showed on Saturday afternoon as they played one of their most complete games of the season. While they had beaten Cincinnati in a hard fought game on Friday, the Caps hit the ice with a purpose and stormed out to dominate the Swords in every way on the ice. Jack Good had a snipe in the first period for his fourth goal of the weekend and the early Little Caps lead. The Little Caps controlled the first period as they held the Swords to just three shots, including on a power play. In the second, the Little Caps continued to control the tempo and limit Cincinnati, as they held them to zero shots in the entire period. David Leitzel lit the lamp with assists from Trent DeNuccio and Alec Freyberger shortly before the halftime ice cut. DeNuccio and Groton would both add third period goals for the 4-0 final. They both top the league for total points with 27 and 22, respectively, in 12 games played. Kyle Henderson had 8 saves, and another shutout win to lead the league with a .955 save percentage. It is always a nice drive home from a weekend when you can bring out the broom in the effort. Four wins in Rochester translates to an undefeated 12-0 showing in NJPHL play.
The Little Caps next face the Wilkes Barre Scranton Knights on the road before returning to Kettler after the Thanksgiving break. Come rock the red and support the march to the AYHL playoffs!