Bantam Blackhawks battle to ninth win of season

The Caledon Blackhawks engaged the Caledon Lightning Dec. 15 at the Lloyd Wilson Arena.

Both teams took little time resuming the spirited play seen in earlier meetings.

A penalty-rich first period was punctuated with fast skating, sweet passing and heavy hitting by both clubs. Blackhawk defencemen Philip DeFrancesco, Alex Cammerota, Michael Rybka, Mitchell Sheppard and Iain Wong limited the Lightning chances, while playing shorthanded for most of the period. The Lighting would open and close the first period with power-play goals by Shaun Fraser and Michael Slater (assists to Eric Cipolla and Jacob McAree). Matteo Palombi replied for the Blackhawks when he converted a loose puck scramble in front of the Lightning goal (assisted by Lucus D'Acri). Lightning led 2-1 to end the first period, but the Blackhawk goaltending dual of Drew Eden and Simon Serpe would prove unbeatable in the remaining two periods.

The second period saw both teams settling into a quick transition game featuring crisp clearing passes, odd man rushes and acrobatic goaltending by both teams. Strong back checking from Blackhawk forwards Adam Badner, Cory Graham and Trevor Moore held the Lightning shooters to the perimeter much of the second period. The Blackhawks' Daniel Cafagna tied the game, converting a quick pass from Lucus Trevisan. The second period ended in a 2-2 tie.

The third period was dominated by Blackhawk team speed. Lightning outlet passes were cut off by an aggressive Blackhawk defence. Blackhawk forwards penetrated the Lightning defence and attacked their net down low. Three third-period goals by Cafagna, Vittorio Sammarco and D'Acri secured Blackhawks' ninth win of the season (assists went to D'Acri and Moore) with a 5-2 final.

Great effort was given by both teams and the excitement was enjoyed by all in attendance.