Nov 18, 2018 | Valerie Young | 836 views
Cleveland Sharks A1 Proves Challenging
Athens 14U travelled to Wooster, Ohio to meet Cleveland Sharks (#409 Brooklyn), an A1 team out of the Cleveland Suburban League. Athens was slow in Game 1 after their early morning drive, losing 8-1. After a fortifying team lunch at Beuhler's, the team showed far better pace and tenacity in Game 2, eventually losing 2-1, in spite of pulling the goalie in the final minute.
After six relatively-easy early-season games, Athens raised the bar to face the A1 Cleveland Sharks out of Brooklyn Ohio, at Alice Noble Arena in Wooster. Athens was slow out of the gate and quickly gave up two goals early in the first period. Athens gave up two goals again in the second, and four in the third, as Cleveland was quite effective at poaching from the far post. Athens was unable to capitalize on three power play opportunities, or to maintain sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Scoring opportunities were limited to breakaways; they put 13 shots on the Sharks' goalie. Late in the third period, Lars took the puck from his own zone to the Sharks' goal, and his shot was tipped in by Braiden. Ian faced 35 shots and made 27 saves, well off his usual save percentage. The Sharks took two minor penalties (tripping, slashing), plus a 2 & 10 for checking from behind. Athens took none.
After lunch, the two teams returned to the ice. Athens was much stronger in the second game, playing at better pace and battling for every puck. Game 2 was more physical, and yet both teams kept their tempers and kept it clean, with only one penalty awarded (2 min for tripping against the Sharks). The Sharks scored first, late in the first period, and both teams were scoreless in the second. Unfortunately, a hard check behind the net resulted in injury to Jackson, who left the ice to be X-rayed. The Sharks scored for the second time midway through the third period. Athens scored with 42 seconds remaining, a goal by Luke with an assist by John. Athens called time out to plan, and quickly after the face-off took the puck into the offensive zone and pulled the goalie to add a sixth skater. In spite of constantly pressing the Sharks for the remaining 30 seconds, Athens was unable to tie the game. Ian had 32 saves on 34 shots. Unfortunately, X-rays showed Jackson's wrist to be broken.
After 8 games, 15 of our 17 skaters have posted at least one goal or assist. Ian has a 90 % save percentage and a goals-against-average of 2. Goal leaders are Luke with 9, Jackson with 6, and Owen with 5. Assist leaders are Luke with 10, Jackson with 8, and Caden with 4. The team has recorded only 16 penalty minutes, all minors, with half of those coming in the first two pre-season games. The team has two shutouts with Ian in goal. Jackson has earned a Playmaker patch (3 assists in one game).