Game report to follow shortly, but here are the photos.
TNT #1 - 4-3 Loss - Photos
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
5-1 Win against Thornton #2
NobleKing met the second place Thornton Tigers after a win earlier in the week. This was the first time that NobleKing was meeting Thornton #2 and they were looking to extend their win streak. The team also welcomed Evan White back after recovering from his undisclosed upper body injury.
NobleKing came out with some jump, and were hunting for an opening goal from the start. But for the first half of the opening frame the teams exchanged chances at both ends. Netminder Curtis Koch was sharp early, turning aside a number of Thornton chances. He played a strong game throughout.
A pair of four minute offsetting penalties at the midpoint of the period settled both teams down and it was NobleKing that struck first.
Grayson Koch pulled the puck out a neutral zone scrum, carried the puck over the Thornton blue-line. Sean Marchand joined to make it a two on one rush. Koch carried down the left side, cutting towards the net. He fired a nice backhand over the Thornton goaltender's pad, putting the Knights up 1-0 with 4:34 left in the period.
The Knights kept challenging the Thornton team in the neutral zone, and were rewarded with turnovers.
Shortly after the goal, the game opened up a bit. Patrick flipped a loose high into the air. It landed in the neutral zone and sent Harknett on a breakaway. But the Thornton goaltender challenged and the puck slid off Harknett's stick.
Thornton tied the game with 2:36 left in the first. Koch made an excellent save on a hard Thornton shot, but the follow-up from the rebound was a change-up and slid in.
It looked like the period might end with the teams tied at one. But the NobleKing defense broke up a Thornton rush, forcing the puck to the left corner. Greg Koncan recovered the puck, and sent a pass off the boards ahead of David Gianfrancesco.
Gianfrancesco got the puck deep into the Thornton zone, and then was first to the biscuit in the right corner. He was bodied off the puck, but Jacques Berman forced the defenseman to hurry a clearing pass up the boards. Koncan backhanded the puck back down, and Gianfrancesco again took possession.
He circled back across the right faceoff dot, and from the hashmarks rifled a shot to the top right corner. NobleKing had reclaimed the lead with forty-four seconds left in the opening period.
The Knights struck again quickly in the first minute of the second. Gianfrancesco sifted his way through the Thornton defense, finishing with a deft move across the low slot and a shot back to the top right corner. The Knights had some breathing room now with a 3-1 lead at 9:03 of the second.
The team had a good rhythm now, and they were glad to have a full bench. Evan White was clearly glad to be back on the roster, getting a number of good chances.
The teams again traded chances as the clock ticked away in the second period. The Knight forwards were backchecking well, and dangerous rushes were quickly broken up. NobleKing took a penalty at 7:17, but successfully killed it.
As time was winding down in the second period, Gianfrancesco carried the puck through the neutral zone and dumped it into the right corner. He won the race to his own shoot-in as Marchand went to the net. Gianfrancesco put the puck out from the low corner, and Marchand snapped a shot to the far side of the goal. The Knights now had a 4-1 lead with 2:22 left in the middle period.
Thornton took a late penalty, and would be shorthanded going into the final frame.
NobleKing wasted no time extending their lead as the third period kicked off. Harknett scrummed the opening faceoff, then tipped the puck over to Patrick Warner on the right wing. Warner and Harknett crossed the blueline two on two. A quick backhand from Warner to Harknett split the defense, and Harknett fake right, faked left and went right before sliding the puck past the sprawling goaltender. The Knights were leading 5-1 only eleven seconds into the final period. This was a power play goal.
The Knights and Tigers traded penalties in the middle of the third - Nobleking at 10:56, and Thornton at 8:31. But neither team could convert on the power play.
NobleKing continued to get chances to extend their lead. Grayson Koch burst through a crowd of players in the neutral zone midway through the third period, putting a shot just wide of the left post.
NobleKing closed out the game with good pressure around the Thornton net. Strong forechecking kept Thornton trapped in their own zone for extended periods. The final score was 5-1 for NobleKing.
All in all, this was a very solid game for the team. They were taking advantage of their good forechecking, and did not get trapped in their own zone for extended lengths of time. This was also their second win in a row, and the first time Thornton #2 had lost.
Here are the video highlights.
Here are the pictures from the game:
Game 11 - Thornton #2 - 5-1 win: Photos
NobleKing came out with some jump, and were hunting for an opening goal from the start. But for the first half of the opening frame the teams exchanged chances at both ends. Netminder Curtis Koch was sharp early, turning aside a number of Thornton chances. He played a strong game throughout.
A pair of four minute offsetting penalties at the midpoint of the period settled both teams down and it was NobleKing that struck first.
Grayson Koch pulled the puck out a neutral zone scrum, carried the puck over the Thornton blue-line. Sean Marchand joined to make it a two on one rush. Koch carried down the left side, cutting towards the net. He fired a nice backhand over the Thornton goaltender's pad, putting the Knights up 1-0 with 4:34 left in the period.
The Knights kept challenging the Thornton team in the neutral zone, and were rewarded with turnovers.
Shortly after the goal, the game opened up a bit. Patrick flipped a loose high into the air. It landed in the neutral zone and sent Harknett on a breakaway. But the Thornton goaltender challenged and the puck slid off Harknett's stick.
Thornton tied the game with 2:36 left in the first. Koch made an excellent save on a hard Thornton shot, but the follow-up from the rebound was a change-up and slid in.
It looked like the period might end with the teams tied at one. But the NobleKing defense broke up a Thornton rush, forcing the puck to the left corner. Greg Koncan recovered the puck, and sent a pass off the boards ahead of David Gianfrancesco.
Gianfrancesco got the puck deep into the Thornton zone, and then was first to the biscuit in the right corner. He was bodied off the puck, but Jacques Berman forced the defenseman to hurry a clearing pass up the boards. Koncan backhanded the puck back down, and Gianfrancesco again took possession.
He circled back across the right faceoff dot, and from the hashmarks rifled a shot to the top right corner. NobleKing had reclaimed the lead with forty-four seconds left in the opening period.
The Knights struck again quickly in the first minute of the second. Gianfrancesco sifted his way through the Thornton defense, finishing with a deft move across the low slot and a shot back to the top right corner. The Knights had some breathing room now with a 3-1 lead at 9:03 of the second.
The team had a good rhythm now, and they were glad to have a full bench. Evan White was clearly glad to be back on the roster, getting a number of good chances.
The teams again traded chances as the clock ticked away in the second period. The Knight forwards were backchecking well, and dangerous rushes were quickly broken up. NobleKing took a penalty at 7:17, but successfully killed it.
Thornton took a late penalty, and would be shorthanded going into the final frame.
NobleKing wasted no time extending their lead as the third period kicked off. Harknett scrummed the opening faceoff, then tipped the puck over to Patrick Warner on the right wing. Warner and Harknett crossed the blueline two on two. A quick backhand from Warner to Harknett split the defense, and Harknett fake right, faked left and went right before sliding the puck past the sprawling goaltender. The Knights were leading 5-1 only eleven seconds into the final period. This was a power play goal.
The Knights and Tigers traded penalties in the middle of the third - Nobleking at 10:56, and Thornton at 8:31. But neither team could convert on the power play.
NobleKing continued to get chances to extend their lead. Grayson Koch burst through a crowd of players in the neutral zone midway through the third period, putting a shot just wide of the left post.
NobleKing closed out the game with good pressure around the Thornton net. Strong forechecking kept Thornton trapped in their own zone for extended periods. The final score was 5-1 for NobleKing.
All in all, this was a very solid game for the team. They were taking advantage of their good forechecking, and did not get trapped in their own zone for extended lengths of time. This was also their second win in a row, and the first time Thornton #2 had lost.
Here are the video highlights.
Here are the pictures from the game:
Game 11 - Thornton #2 - 5-1 win: Photos
Back in the Win Column
It has been a spotty season so far, with only a single win, but many opportunities. A number of the games have been played with a short bench, including a stellar effort against the first place team only three days prior to this outing against East Gwillimbury #2. This was another team caught up in the dogpile in the middle of the Simcoe Region Local League Midget division. NobleKing was also almost back to a healthy roster, now missing only a single player due to injury.
The teams fenced back and forth for much of the first period as the Knights gradually got their legs. NobleKing finally opened the scoring late in the period while killing a penalty. The team forced a turnover in the neutral zone, and Mitch Harknett scooped up the loose puck. A couple of nifty moves and the puck was in the back of the EG net with just over three minutes left in the opening frame.
The teams battled back and forth in the second period. Netminder Curtis Kozak was solid, turning aside EG opportunities, and NobleKing worked hard on the forecheck.
The score was still 1-0 as the third period began. Some excellent forechecking early in the frame hemmed EG in their own end. Jacques Berman worked hard behind the EG net, and the puck came loose to the right EG corner. Chris Maloney scooped it up and found Harknett at the far side of the EG crease. Maloney's pass made it through the EG defenders, and Harknett flipped the puck past the goaltender to give NobleKing a 2-0 lead with 13:28 remaining in the third.
Although NobleKing was finding their rhythm on the forecheck, they remained responsible defensively. Forwards were getting back to help out the defense, and EG did not have many chances to get set up. NobleKing struggled occasionally to clear the puck from their zone, but survived these lapses. They seemed to get stronger as the game went on.
The Knights kept up their strong pressure on EG. Grayson Koch was rewarded for his hard work around the EG net, jamming the puck into the right side of the EG goal with 8:30 left in the game. The Knights were now leading 3-0 - their largest lead of the season so far.
NobleKing had one more goal in the tank, as their pressure was again rewarded. Tyler Kozak was strong in the right corner, coming out of a scrum with the puck. He carried behind the EG net, passing back out into the slot. The puck was tipped away from its original recipient, but Greg Koncan had snuck in from the point to the hash marks, and put the puck behind the EG netminder with 5:53 left.
There was no further scoring, although some festivities erupted in the closing seconds. The final was 4-0, and Curtis Kozak earned his first shutout of the season. His play this year has been excellent.
This was a solid team effort start to finish, and the team was rewarded for their forechecking.
NobleKing continues to be strong on the penalty kill, going five for five during this game (although two of these penalties came in the closing seconds). For the most part, the team stayed out of the penalty box this game.
The Knights had a short-handed goal as well. They were unsuccessful on the power play in this outing.
The Knights are up next against Thornton #2, who are second place in the division. NobleKing has had some success against the leading teams, and this could be an interesting game.
The teams fenced back and forth for much of the first period as the Knights gradually got their legs. NobleKing finally opened the scoring late in the period while killing a penalty. The team forced a turnover in the neutral zone, and Mitch Harknett scooped up the loose puck. A couple of nifty moves and the puck was in the back of the EG net with just over three minutes left in the opening frame.
The teams battled back and forth in the second period. Netminder Curtis Kozak was solid, turning aside EG opportunities, and NobleKing worked hard on the forecheck.
The score was still 1-0 as the third period began. Some excellent forechecking early in the frame hemmed EG in their own end. Jacques Berman worked hard behind the EG net, and the puck came loose to the right EG corner. Chris Maloney scooped it up and found Harknett at the far side of the EG crease. Maloney's pass made it through the EG defenders, and Harknett flipped the puck past the goaltender to give NobleKing a 2-0 lead with 13:28 remaining in the third.
Although NobleKing was finding their rhythm on the forecheck, they remained responsible defensively. Forwards were getting back to help out the defense, and EG did not have many chances to get set up. NobleKing struggled occasionally to clear the puck from their zone, but survived these lapses. They seemed to get stronger as the game went on.
The Knights kept up their strong pressure on EG. Grayson Koch was rewarded for his hard work around the EG net, jamming the puck into the right side of the EG goal with 8:30 left in the game. The Knights were now leading 3-0 - their largest lead of the season so far.
NobleKing had one more goal in the tank, as their pressure was again rewarded. Tyler Kozak was strong in the right corner, coming out of a scrum with the puck. He carried behind the EG net, passing back out into the slot. The puck was tipped away from its original recipient, but Greg Koncan had snuck in from the point to the hash marks, and put the puck behind the EG netminder with 5:53 left.
There was no further scoring, although some festivities erupted in the closing seconds. The final was 4-0, and Curtis Kozak earned his first shutout of the season. His play this year has been excellent.
This was a solid team effort start to finish, and the team was rewarded for their forechecking.
NobleKing continues to be strong on the penalty kill, going five for five during this game (although two of these penalties came in the closing seconds). For the most part, the team stayed out of the penalty box this game.
The Knights had a short-handed goal as well. They were unsuccessful on the power play in this outing.
The Knights are up next against Thornton #2, who are second place in the division. NobleKing has had some success against the leading teams, and this could be an interesting game.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Season So Far
We're nine games in to the 2013-2014 season and the team has a 1-4-4 record. Despite the lack of wins, the team has been slowly pulling together. Several of the losses and many of the ties could easily have been wins.
The team opened the season with a win against a traditionally tough opponent - Thornton 2. NobleKing matched them goal for goal in a 'last-goal-wins' affair. The final score was 7-6 thanks to a late NobleKing goal. Evan White had a hat trick, and the team showed that they could put the puck in the net.
NobleKing's second game was on the road as well. The team visited the small Beeton arena, and had a short bench for this game. Although we lost 3-0 in a penalty filled game, as one Coach said, it was 'an honourable loss'.
Game three was in Innisfil again with a short bench. This was another festive meeting filled with penalties.Similar to the Thornton game, the teams exchanged goals and the lead several times. A Knight power play goal with only fourteen seconds left tied the score at 5-5, and this was how the game would end. Sean Marchand had four goals.
Game four saw NobleKing facing East Gwillimbury #1 in their fourth road game. NobleKing was a bit flat in this outing, and they snuck only a single goal past the EG goaltender. NobleKing lost 6-1.
NobleKing met the first place team in game five in their home opener. The Knights lost 6-2 against a beatable team. However, Lefroy played a disciplined game, and both their passing and positioning were strong.
Game six looked like trouble, as the Knights got into penalty trouble early and often. However, Mitch Harknett put together a natural hat trick in the third period to give the team a 4-4 tie.
In their seventh game of the season, NobleKing and TNT #1 battled hard for a win. This game was again dominated by Knight penalties, but a short-handed goal seemed like it would hold up for a win. But TNT scored late in the third to grab a tie.
Bradford #3 was next up, and the Knights put up a solid effort against this beatable team. But again, a late goal by Bradford tied the game, and the team's second win was yet to be found.
In game nine, NobleKing came up against the first place team. The Knights had a very short bench, with only a single spare. But they weren't going to give this one away. Lefroy scored first, but NobleKing replied quickly. The Knight forecheck was working, and with just over six minutes left, NobleKing was leading 4-3. However, the tank was almost empty, and Lefroy took advantage of a few 'tired' mistakes to win the game 5-4. By any measure, NobleKing had played well, and had dug deep to challenge Lefroy. Notably the Knights were almost penalty-free.
Any one of these last four games could have been a win.
We have pictures from a number of these games:
The team opened the season with a win against a traditionally tough opponent - Thornton 2. NobleKing matched them goal for goal in a 'last-goal-wins' affair. The final score was 7-6 thanks to a late NobleKing goal. Evan White had a hat trick, and the team showed that they could put the puck in the net.
NobleKing's second game was on the road as well. The team visited the small Beeton arena, and had a short bench for this game. Although we lost 3-0 in a penalty filled game, as one Coach said, it was 'an honourable loss'.
Game three was in Innisfil again with a short bench. This was another festive meeting filled with penalties.Similar to the Thornton game, the teams exchanged goals and the lead several times. A Knight power play goal with only fourteen seconds left tied the score at 5-5, and this was how the game would end. Sean Marchand had four goals.
Game four saw NobleKing facing East Gwillimbury #1 in their fourth road game. NobleKing was a bit flat in this outing, and they snuck only a single goal past the EG goaltender. NobleKing lost 6-1.
NobleKing met the first place team in game five in their home opener. The Knights lost 6-2 against a beatable team. However, Lefroy played a disciplined game, and both their passing and positioning were strong.
Game six looked like trouble, as the Knights got into penalty trouble early and often. However, Mitch Harknett put together a natural hat trick in the third period to give the team a 4-4 tie.
In their seventh game of the season, NobleKing and TNT #1 battled hard for a win. This game was again dominated by Knight penalties, but a short-handed goal seemed like it would hold up for a win. But TNT scored late in the third to grab a tie.
Bradford #3 was next up, and the Knights put up a solid effort against this beatable team. But again, a late goal by Bradford tied the game, and the team's second win was yet to be found.
In game nine, NobleKing came up against the first place team. The Knights had a very short bench, with only a single spare. But they weren't going to give this one away. Lefroy scored first, but NobleKing replied quickly. The Knight forecheck was working, and with just over six minutes left, NobleKing was leading 4-3. However, the tank was almost empty, and Lefroy took advantage of a few 'tired' mistakes to win the game 5-4. By any measure, NobleKing had played well, and had dug deep to challenge Lefroy. Notably the Knights were almost penalty-free.
Any one of these last four games could have been a win.
We have pictures from a number of these games:
- Game 1 - Thornton #2 - 6-5 Win: Pictures
- Game 2 - Beeton #1 - 3-0 Loss
- Game 3 - Innisfil #1 - 5-5 Tie
- Game 4 - EG #1 - 4-1 Loss Pictures
- Game 5 - Lefroy #1 - 6-2 Loss: Pictures
- Game 6 - Bradford #1 - 4-4 Tie
- Game 7 - TNT #1 - 1-1 Tie : Pictures
- Game 8 - Bradford #3 - 2-2 Tie: Pictures
- Game 9 - Lefroy #1 - 5-4 Loss: Pictures
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