After last weekend’s series of hard fought contests highlighted by Evan Adams’ game winning goal in the closing moments of the first game in Newark, the Athens Bobcats Squirt squad looked to even the score with BTHL foe , Dayton BlueHawks in a pair of Sunday morning games. The Hawks battled the elements to make the trek to Bird Arena and showed that they had no intentions of going back empty handed. Both games were physical, intense games in which both teams battled until the end. However, when the final buzzer sounded, the ‘Cats were on the short end of the stick in both games.
In the first game, the Hawks jumped out to the early lead, scoring two quick goals. But the ‘Cats stepped up their game late in the first when Nick Lutz fired a shot through the five hole and into the net. Just a few minutes later, Chase Sammons was able to shake free from the hawking Dayton defense for a goal to even the score at two a piece. Both defenses took over in the second keeping the score even for most of the second period. Late in the second, Dayton scored to make the score 3-2. However, the Bobcats were unable to hold off the tenacious BlueHawk attack in the third. Dayton tallied 4 goals in the final stanza to take the game, 7-2. Anthony Koping was solid in goal for the ‘Cats making 23 saves.
In the second game, both defenses stepped up their game. Neither team scored in the first and it looked as if the game was going to be a tight battle. The game remained scoreless for most of the second, but the Hawks broke the silence late in the second with a pair of goals. They added two more in the third to take the game 4-0. The ‘Cats were led by the stellar goal play of Teagan Ries. Teagan posted 25 saves on 29 shots. After the game, the Dayton coaching staff praised the play of Ries and the overall improvement of the ‘Cats’ young squad.
The ‘Cats return to the ice for a pair of early morning non-league games on Sunday when they take on a tough Newark Green squad. The puck drops at 7:30 and 10:15 at Bird Arena.
Photo: Coach Sammons gives a few last second instructions before the period begins.