Grey-Bruce Bring it to the Battalion, News, Atom, 2011-2012 (Grey-Bruce Highlanders AAA Minor Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2011-2012 season, which is not set as the current season.
News Article
News Article Image
Jan 31, 2012 | pstewart | 1474 views
Grey-Bruce Bring it to the Battalion
After their scenic journey to Welland on Saturday the boys unleashed their pent-up energy on the Brampton Battalion on Sunday afternoon.  Right from the opening whistle the team showed a renewed energy and desire to compete.  The forwards are starting to understand the forecheck the coaches are teaching them.  

The first forward in from all three lines pressured the Brampton defence creating turnovers that were quickly stolen by their linemates cutting off escape routes along the boards.    The Highlanders were able to keep the Battalion deep in there own end, a dramatic shift from earlier games against the same team.  The defence also showed their progress as they were frequently able to skate the puck forward.  This trend was highlighted by excellent rushes deep into Brampton territory by Riley Torrie and Dawson Fahrer.

The Highlanders were rewarded for their strong effort when Will Black flashed down the right wing rifled a fierce blast past the Brampton keeper.  Will completed a beautiful team move through the neutral zone with Tyson Lina and Nathen Ahrens being credited with assists. Brampton soon tied the score and the period ended up in a draw.

The second period featured some tough checking by both teams as neither squad was able to grab control of the game.  The Highlanders were slowed by a series of penalties and were forced to spend more time in their own end.  Fortunately, Talon Johnson continued his stellar play of late. A string of spectacular saves by Johnson ended in an extraordinary moment.  With a delayed penalty called on the Highlanders the Brampton goalie raced to the bench.  In his urgency, however, he didn’t notice the puck that was rolling on edge toward the Brampton goal and he skated right past it. Soon people began to realize that just prior to the penalty call, Talon had made a huge save and he was the last player to touch the puck. Conjuring up the spirit of Ron Hextall, Talon used his magical goalie mojo to urge the puck toward the Brampton goal. It swerved at least six feet from left to right slipping just inside the left post to give the home team a 2-1 lead! 

The Brampton squad, to their credit, showed determination to make sure the goal did not discourage them.  They tied the score just over a minute later.  Once again the Highlanders responded with Colby Loosemore snapping home a venomous shot from the high slot.  The forecheck of the Highlanders created the opportunity with Thomas Brown and Tyson Hutcheson earning the assists after some solid work down low in the corner. Brampton levelled the score with just under a minute to play in the second period setting up an exciting third stanza.

The highlight of the third period came when Mark Aljoe demonstrated incredible determination and perseverance to score the go-ahead goal.  He stripped the defender of the puck and managed to beat a couple of Brampton players before slipping into the Battalion goal.  As the period progressed the Highlanders were forced deep into their own end to defend the lead.  Several attacks were stopped, one most notably by Carson English who used a great poke check to stop a 2 on 1.  Unfortunately, the pressure proved too great and with a minute and a half left in the game, Brampton scored to earn a point.  Every player on the ice showed incredible effort and desire and it is clear that a trip to the Chesley fortress is no longer an easy Sunday for the other teams in the league.  


Article written by Hugh Morrision