The Athens Bobcat Squirt Squad concluded the 2009-2010 BTHL season this past weekend by participating in the BTHL tournament in Cincinnati. Participating in the Bronze A division, the ‘Cats started the tournament as the 5th seed. However, by the end of the weekend, the ‘Cats proved that they were a team that no one wanted to see on their side of the bracket.
The Bobcats started their quest for BTHL hardware by facing the 4th seeded Troy Bruins in a Friday evening contest at the Cincinnati Gardens. This was a hard fought, back and forth contest that the Bobcats were able to win 5-4. Troy started the scoring right off the opening face-off by scoring a goal only 10 seconds into the game. The ‘Cats regrouped a minute later when Chase Sammons received a pass from Finn Mitchell and found the back of the net. Troy took the lead back with about 4 minutes left in the first. With only a few second left in the first, Eli Kennedy centered a pass from behind the net to Sammons who slid one past the Bruin goalie to tie the score. Athens scored early in the second when Sammons sent a beautiful pass to the hard charging Nicholas Barga for a one-timer. Troy tied the game less than a minute later and the score remained tied for the rest of the second. The ‘Cats started the third period “on fire”. Sammons received a double assist from the sticks of Barga and Mitchell to complete a “hat trick” and scored an unassisted goal less than a minute later to put the ‘Cats up 5-3. Athens tightened up the defense, but Troy didn’t give up. The Bruins scored again with about 3 minutes left on the clock and sent a fury of offense that the ‘Cats held off for the rest of the contest. Teagan Ries excelled between the pipes for the Bobcats making 18 saves on 22 shots.
Saturday morning, Athens faced the top seeded, Bloomington Blades, at Northland Rink. The ‘Cats seemed ready for the challenge in the first by striking first. The slick skating Sammons broke free for a goal. However, the Blades responded late by scoring two goals before the end of the first. While Athens showed signs of improved play, the experienced Blade squad would not allow another goal for the rest of the game. The Blades took this game 8-1. The big story of this game for the Bobcats was the play of Teagan Ries. Ries posted a season high 44 saves on 52 shots.
On Saturday evening, the ‘Cats returned to Northland Rink for the consolation game against Dayton. This game proved to be an intense, physical contest. There were 9 total penalties in the game. Dayton’s brand of physical play caught the ‘Cats off guard in the first. They took a 3-0 lead at the midpoint of the 2nd before the ‘Cats were able to respond. The persistent Eli Kennedy broke the ice in the 2nd on a rebound goal of his own shot. Dayton answered in the beginning of the third for their fourth tally of the game. The ‘Cats cut the lead in half when Nicholas Barga picked his way through the BlueHawk defense for a goal. However, Athens could draw no closer. Dayton pulled out the victory and a third place finish, 4-2. Once again, Ries was stellar in goal making 23 saves on 27 shots.
The Bobcats return to action when they make the trek to the Chiller North to take on the Easton Ducks at 4:40 and the Easton Red Wings at 5:50 on Saturday afternoon.
Photo: Defenseman, Max Cook waits for the opponent to make their move.