Article by I. Schoonderbeek/Photos by C. Archer
The Clarington Eagles continued their winning ways Friday. They defeated the second place Georgina Ice 9-3 in a convincing win at the Georgina Ice Palace.
It was Dads’ night for the Eagles players, as their fathers travelled to and from the game on the team bus. “It was an awesome night,” said Eagles trainer and assistant GM Craig Wilcox. “The dads really looked like they enjoyed themselves, and they got to witness rookie idol on the bus which was won by an AP (Dominic Basile)!”
Friday’s tilt versus the Ice was never in doubt for the Eagles, who outshot their hosts by a 43-23 margin. “We had a great start with our back end setting the tone and all four lines moving their feet and playing with energy,” said head coach Dean Baumhauer.
That great start was reflected in the score in the first period. The Eagles jumped out to a 4-0 lead on goals from Ryan Hall, Dawson Manning, Mitch Davies, and Jordan Shaw.
The second period brought more of the same, with the Eagles dominating play. Clarington outscored the Ice 5-2 in the frame to stretch their lead to 9-2 heading into the third.
Davies, despite playing well through the first four games of the season, had yet to find the back of the net prior to the game. He scored three more goals in the second period giving him four on the night.
Manning and Shaw each scored their second goals of the game in the second period.
Georgina would manage to score once more in the third, but by that point the result wasn’t in question.
“The third period kind of turned into pond hockey,” said Baumhauer. “It was great to pick up the road win on the second of back-to-back games, and really nice to have the dads on the bus with us to enjoy it.”
Brayden Friedrich picked up his second win of the season in goal, stopping 20 of the 23 shots he faced.
With the win, the Eagles are perched 6 points above second place Georgina and Little Britain in the Orr Division standings.
Clarington has a few days off before traveling up Highway 115 to take on the Lakefield Chiefs on Tuesday, October 4, at the Lakefield Smith Community Centre. Puck drop is at 7:25 p.m.
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