Caledon minor bantam selects undefeated in five games

The Caledon Blackhawks minor bantam selects hosted the Brampton Rockets, in inter-city play at the ABCC Saturday, Oct. 14.

This game featured the core strength of this Blackhawks' "team defence."

The Blackhawks overcame three consecutive penalties with backchecking forwards, challenging defencemen, and strong goaltending that limited Rocket opportunities to end the first period in a 0- 0 draw.

The Blackhawks opened the scoring in the second period when Cory Graham powered down the left side boards, out-muscled Rocket defenders and scored with a quick, low shot. Assisted by Mathew Nespolo. Blackhawks 1, Rockets 0.

Buzzing Blackhawk forwards maintained offensive pressure on the Rockets throughout the second period. The Rockets were unable to mount any sustained offence with defencemen Philip DeFrancesco and Zackory Worth stepping up to foil Rocket rushes.

Blackhawks' Matteo Palombi took a short pass from Worth, crossed the blue line and fired a low slapshot, beating Rockets' goalie to the stick side. The period ended with the Blackhawks up 2-0.

The Rockets found the scoreboard early in the third period by scoring on an odd man rush that handcuffed both Blackhawk defencemen and goalie. The Blackhawks' lead was cut to 2-1.

The Blackhawks regained a two-goal lead when a streaking Lucus Trevisan took an Iain Wong pass at centre ice and deked Rockets' defence for a breakaway goal.

The Rockets never gave up. They capitalized on a Blackhawk penalty to score their second goal, by jamming in a loose puck with 1:24 remaining in the game, making it 3-2 for the Blackhawks. The Rockets pulled their goalie for an extra attacker in the last minute, looking to tie the game with a third goal. Blackhawks' team defence again rose to the occasion and repelled Rocket advances. The game ended with Worth and Vittorio Sammarco attempting to score on the Rockets' vacated net with end-to-end shots. No insurance goals, but some comic relief was provided for anxious hometown fans.

The Blackhawks remain undefeated with three wins and two ties this season.

The last weekend of September brought fans of Caledon Blackhawks minor bantam select team to Mayfield arena where the Hawks faced Brampton Snipers.

The game started with little delay, but instantly picked up a speed and lot of brave actions from both sides made it a very interesting to watch spectacle.

Hawks starting goalie Simon Serpe impressed spectators with some amazing saves. The Hawks dominated on ice with great team attitude and almost professional passing between forwards Matteo Palombi, Vittorio Sammarco and Cory Graham. Physical and offensive play of defencemen Zachary Worth, Ian Wong and Adam Badner created number of good scoring opportunities.

Finally, in the fourth minute of the first period, a pass from Matthew Nespolo initialized two-on-one action. Lucas Trevisan, after a high-speed raid, passed to his line partner Lucas D'Acri who finished with a perfect shot and goal. For the following minutes the Hawks faced furious Snipers attacks.

Two minutes before the end of the first period, the Snipers took the advantage of power play and scored the equalizer.

The Hawks played a really strong game, moving the puck with authority, and defending with patience. Numerous times with a lot of confidence defencemen Alex Cammerota, Philip DeFrancesco and Mitchel Sheppard just swiped the puck from the offensive Snipers' sticks.

Drew Eden guarded the Hawks' net in second half of the game. His convincing saves and good play in front of the net allowed Bolton team to continue their ice domination. Consistent hard work of Daniel Cafagna together with his line partners Trevor Moore and Michael Rybka, brought results in the third period of the game. After Mitchel Sheppard won the face-off, he passed to Rybka who, with good puck control, passed Sniper defenceman and placed game winner in the Brampton net.

The coaching staff of Brett Moore, Don Sheppard, Emilio D'Acri and Graziano Nespolo was delighted with the composure and commitment the team brought to the game.

"This appeared as a truly satisfying win because our effort was consistent, and our execution was good. As a team, we've seen moments of this type of hockey but not a complete game like this one. Everybody stepped up with a strong effort."