The Athens Bobcat Squirt squad hosted the stingy Newark General team in a pair of hotly contested battles Saturday. Both teams played a hard, aggressive brand of hockey that was fun to watch by all spectators. By the end of the day, the ‘Cats were able to take the first contest, while the second game ended in a tie.
In the first game, the Bobcats got off to a fast start with a goal by Finn Mitchell and three by Chase Sammons. Athens led at the first intermission 4-2. Athens’ defense stepped up in the second period, not allowing any goals. The ‘Cats added two goals in the second , one again by Sammons and the second by Storm Walburn which turned out to be the game winner. The ‘Cats were able to hold off a third period charge by Newark to maintain the victory, 6-5. Offensively, Sammons led the charge with 4 goals and an assist. Mitchell and Walburn added a goal a piece. Nick Lutz, Nicholas Barga, and Evan Adams each chipped in with an assist. Anthony Koping was solid between the pipes with eleven saves on 16 shots.
In the second game, the first period was dominated by both defenses. Newark started the scoring late in the first with a goal to break the scoring silence. The Bobcats came roaring back in the second when Chase Sammons made his presence felt with three goals, while Newark added one of their own. The Sammons’ second period hat trick made the score 3-2 at the end of the second. Newark came out early in the third and tied the game in the third with a goal. Sammons answered immediately with an unassisted goal to retake the lead. However, the General s fought back and with 3:10 left in the game scored to tie the contest on a power play. Although there were some anxious moments, both defenses held firm for the rest of the contest for a 4-4 tie. Sammons had all four goals for the ‘Cats. Anthony Koping, Nick Lutz and Eli Kennedy added an assist a piece. Teagan Ries had a great performance in goal: 17 saves on 21 shots.
Facing this quality Newark team will hopefully prove to be good preparation for next week’s start of Buckeye Travel League play. The ‘Cats will take their show on the road to the Dayton area when they will face Troy for a pair of early morning Saturday games. Then, they will face the Dayton Bluehawks for a late afternoon contest on Saturday and an early afternoon contest on Sunday.
Photo: Anthony Koping protects the goal while Storm Walburn and Chase Sammons help defend.