Thu Sep 02 2010
by Steve Batko
Correspondent
It was turnaround that showed just how much progress the Twinsburg ice hockey team has made this winter.
A few weeks ago, the Tigers lost 8-5 in a physical battle against Chesterland West Geauga.
On Jan. 24, Twinsburg posted an impressive 14-1 victory over the Wolverines at Gates Mills Gilmour Academy.
Twinsburg moved to 6-9. overall while West Geauga dropped to 3-11 overall and to 2-7 in league play.
"We avenged that earlier loss pretty well," said head coach Bruce Hazelden. "The team was ready and came out strong. The kids moved the puck well and put a lot of pressure on the Wolverines early."
The Tigers scored 2:55 into the period and tacked on six more tallies to make it 7-0 after the first period.
West Geauga responded with some physical play to try and slow the Tigers' shifts and scoring.
"I thought the second period was spirited with West G playing the body to try and slow us down," said the coach. "We were ready and the team passed the puck well. This opened the play up and it paid dividends."
"We had an all around team effort with a number of players getting their first points."
Freshman Hannah Stewart recorded her first point of her career assisting on a goal. Stewart is one of two girls playing this year. The other is junior September Cart, who narrowly missed scoring in the second period.
Anthony Morelli scored his first goal of his career on a breakaway in the second period. He picked the puck in the neutral zone and skated hard to the net and deposited the puck low glove side.
"Morelli really worked hard in practice and he was rewarded by starting tonight [against West G]," Hazelden said. "He has been working hard on his speed, it was nice to see it pay off with a goal."
Junior Duncan O'Sullivan also got his first point with an assist on a goal in the second stanza.
"Duncan is a first-year player, and he really enjoys the physical part of the game," said Hazelden.
Veteran goalie Jake Damcott scored his first point assisting on the final goal of the game. He faced 8 shots in all.
Michael Hazelden had six goals and four assists in the win for 10 points. Junior defender Mike Behr posted a hatrick (three goals) and had an assist.
Freshman defenseman Brandon Best added two goals, three assists for five points. It was Best's third multi goal game in a row.
"Brandon Best has been playing very strong of late," said the coach, who also had contributions from Luke Stewart and Danny Schrembeck, who each had a goal. Jesse Black had an assist.
On the season, Hazelden has recorded 28 goals, 14 assists and 42 points. Best has 15 goals, 10 assists, and 25 points.
Behr has chipped in four goals, four assists and eight points along with Luke Stewart who has five goals and three assists. Other contributors this year have been Steve Stoneman and John Safier.
Damcott has posted 397 saves and own an 81-percent save percentage.
On Jan. 31, Twinsburg plays red-hot Brooklyn at Garfield Heights (5:45 p.m.). The Tigers face Brush at Cleveland Heights in Feb. 1 (8 p.m.), and on Feb. 6, the locals meet CVCA at Kent (12:45).
E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113
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