The last time the Chagrin Falls Tigers hockey team faced the Orange Lions on the ice, Dec. 7, the Tigers were without a few of their top players, and the Lions won 5-2 However, six weeks later on Jan. 17 at the Pond, the Tigers were at full force in their rematch with the Lions.
Match photos click here.
The last time the Chagrin Falls Tigers hockey team faced the Orange Lions on the ice, Dec. 7, the Tigers were without a few of their top players, and the Lions won 5-2 However, six weeks later on Jan. 17 at the Pond, the Tigers were at full force in their rematch with the Lions.
The 14-and-4 Tigers took an early 1-0 lead with 7:12 left to go in the first period.
In the second period, the Tigers found the back of the net twice to take a 3-0 lead heading into the final period.
The Tigers then added two additional third-period goals to claim a 5-0 shut out victory over the Lions.
Afterwards, Tigers Head Coach Craig Hoberman said his players were motivated to obtain the victory.
“Last time we saw Orange in the last league game against them in the beginning of the season, we were down a couple players and they came out on top with a win,” Coach Hoberman said. “So for this tonight, this was really a payback game. We wanted to make sure as it was a league game, that we took it away from them. And we came out really, from the start of the game, buzzing.”
In addition to being highly motivated for this league contest, Coach Hoberman said a contributing factor in the Tigers success was excellent puck control in their offensive zone.
“We work on that (puck control) all the time, especially in our offensive zone,” Coach Hoberman said. “(We focus on) just maintaining control, don’t just shoot and have to turn it over and come back again. So that was a big highlight for us. The whole game, we maintained control in the offensive zone.”
In fact, Coach Hoberman said he thought the Tigers’ control of the puck in the first period was the best he has seen all year.
“Only one goal,” he added, “but as far as maintaining possession and control, that was hands-down the best period this year.”
The Tigers were also stout in the defensive zone.
Dominant in the crease was senior goalie Nathaniel Newton, who recorded his third shut-out of the season.
Newton said his team’s effort to control the puck and maintain possession helped limit the Lions chances for shots on net.
Still, Newton showed his dominance by saving all 28 shots the Lions took on goal.
In shutting out the Lions, Newton described his main focus throughout the contest.
“The game plan was just mainly watch in front of the net, and also … pretty much just watch for people just trying to skate up behind you (from behind the net),” Newton said.
In the defensive zone, Newton was assisted by defenders Anton Flach and Josh Baraona.
“Our defense is typically Josh Baraona and Anton Flach,” Coach Hoberman said. “They do a great job. They’re great from a shutdown (perspective) defensively, but they’re also an offensive threat for us.”
Not only do Baraona and Flach lead the defense, they are also scorers.
In fact, Baraona got the first goal of the night halfway through the first period to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. She was assisted on the goal by junior Henry Cimperman, who then gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead when he scored an unassisted goal with 5:07 left in the second period.
The Tigers’ next two goals of the game were scored by freshman Ace Rossi.
Rossi’s first goal of the game with 1:37 left in the second period was unassisted.
Rossi then scored with 9:07 left in the third period, assisted on the goal by Cimperman.
Flach scored the Tigers’ last goal of the game in the final minute of the third period, assisted on the goal by Matthew King.
With the victory, the Tigers moved to 15-4 on the season.
They will next face the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders on Jan. 27 at the Kent State Ice Arena.
