Postgame: Braves - 2 Nitehawks - 9

HAPPY NEW YEAR for sure!! In what was to be bounce-back game for Beaver Valley, they came out and made the most of what they were given, and it didnt take long....

Christian Johnson (@CaliJohnson23) got things started just :25 seconds in. Spokanes Matt Thurston capitalized on what would be a rare defensive ooops and tied the game at 6:38. Dallas Calvin (@dallas_calvin20) got his first of 3, Tyler Collins (@phillycollins92), and Brantley Schapansky  also scored to give BV the 4-1 lead after 1.

The 2nd was pretty much a duplicate of the first. DC gets his 2nd, Mason Spear (@mase7teen), Chris Derochie (@c_derochie69), and Craig "candybag" Martin (@_martin17) score to make it 8-1 before Dylan Tappe gets Spokanes 2nd and last goal. BV made use of the stretch pass in the 2nd to open up the Spokane defense, and they did it with deadly efficiency!!

Third period wasnt as full of scoring, but it made up for it in drama. The refs made several weak calls on Spokane (yes, I said Spokane) that had the Braves bench irate and drawing at least one bench minor for their troubles. In the face-off circle prior to next puck drop, Dylan Tappe turned and spoke something to the ref which isnt suitable to be repeated in this format. This exchange immediately earned him an early trip to the showers and a spectators view for the remaining 16:26. Now, I tend to speak my mind(ish) when the officiating is suspect and not to the benefit of the Hawks, but I believe that things need to be called fairly both ways and I do think there was good reason for the Spokane side to be upset. Luckily for the Braves, they managed to kill off the penalties and play carried on back and forth until the 9 min mark when Brantley Schapansky went on a spree!! Two crushing open-ice hits and one along the boards in a 15 second span earned him a charging penalty and a paltry face-wash from Nick Farmer. Both sat for 2, but the grin on the face of Schapansky as he skated to the box told volumes. Calvin netted his 3rd with 6:21 left and BV cruzed to a 9-2 win, and sole points possession of first place.

Game Stars:

BV - Dallas Calvin 3G, 2A - was a physical force on both sides of the puck
BV - Justin Niminiken 1A - showed his speed often to make plays
BV - Brantley Schapansky 1G - extremely physical

I noticed a remarkable difference in the 4 days since the CG game. The boys once again had life. They showed better choices and decisions with the puck while displaying confidence and poise which ultimately overwhelmed the Braves.

Tonight was the first of a 3-game home stand. Jan. 7th and 8th provide Princeton and Columbia Valley respectively as food for the ever-hungry brood that rattle the cages of the opposition.