Caledon Blackhawks earn first victory of the season

The Caledon minor bantam select Blackhawks win their first game of the season besting the Brampton Sharpshooters 2-1 Sept. 22 at Terry Miller Arena.

This game featured no-nonsense hockey from both teams. Hard-hitting, end-to-end rushes, dazzling plays and a plethora of penalties to both teams excited the throng of fans.

Six first-period penalties (combined) changed a would-be five-on-three advantage to a 3-on-4 disadvantage within minutes. Finding middle ice with the referees proved elusive to players and coaches alike. Despite the sudden changes of misfortune, both teams emerged unscathed. The Sharpshooters were first to evade Blackhawks' defence and opened the scoring late in the first period. The period ended Sharpshooters 1, Blackhawks 0.

Strong defensive play by Blackhawk defencemen Philip DeFrancesco, Iain Wong, Adam Badner, Zachory Worth, Mitchell Sheppard and goalie Drew Eden held the dangerous Sharpshooters to limited chances in the second period.

Blackhawks' Corey Graham scored the tying goal with a quick wrist shot to the short side of the goal. Daniel Cafagna assisted. The second period ended 1-1.

The third period saw seven more penalties (combined) creating open ice and abundant opportunities for both teams. Strong forechecking by Lucus D'Acri, Michael Rybka and Alex Cammerota limited Sharpshooter opportunities. Blackhawks' persistent play finally paid off when Lucus Trevisan took a Trevor Moore pass and deked both Sharpshooter defenceman and goalie before lifting the puck into the net for the winning Caledon goal.