Eagles Extend Undefeated Streak to Eight Games

The Clarington Eagles extended their regular season unbeaten streak to eight games Thursday night at Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex. They soundly defeated the Uxbridge Bruins for the third time this season, shutting out the visitors 7-0.

Clarington outshot Uxbridge 57-13 in the contest.

The teams were relatively evenly matched early in the game until Nate Stirling opened the scoring 14 minutes into the first period with his fourth goal of the season.

Brady Darrach increased the Eagles lead two minutes later to give Clarington a two-goal cushion going into the first intermission.

Clarington would dominate the Bruins in the second period, outshooting the visitors 17-2 in the frame.

Hayes Bell scored the lone Eagles goal in the second after some good work on the boards by Owen Manarin. Manarin fought off an Uxbridge defender to protect the puck down low in the offensive zone before finding Bell with a pass at edge of the crease.

Bell would score his second of the game early in the third period, burying a drop pass from Jordan Shaw.

Clarington would go on to score three more in the third, taking advantage of some Uxbridge penalties. Trent Gaylor, Ryan Hall, and Jordan Shaw each managed to find the back of the net.

Coach Dean Baumhauer was pleased with his club’s effort. “I thought we played three complete periods,” said Dean. “Uxbridge is a good team that just beat Little Britain and played us tough the previous two games. I liked how we responded. It was a good team effort.”

Baumhauer also singled out the strong play of second year forward Hayes Bell in recent games. “He’s a guy I really rode hard and pushed last year,” said Dean. “He’s had two really strong games in a row, and he’s being rewarded with extra ice and making the most of it.”

“It feels good to be rewarded,” said Bell. “I felt like I had a good season last year, but the numbers didn’t really show that. So to be putting up numbers early this year feels nice.”

Newly signed goaltender Marc-Olivier Robert picked up his first win and shutout in an Eagles uniform. “He didn’t get a lot of work, but he played well,” said Baumhauer. “That’s the kind of effort we wanted to see after a strong performance from Watson last week.”

With the win, the Eagles now lead the Orr Division by six points over second place Little Britain, who have played two fewer games than Clarington.

The Eagles travel to Port Perry this Sunday October 16 to take on the third place Lumberjacks at Scugog Arena. Puck drop is at 2:25 p.m.