Braves Sweep Three SWOHSHL Opponents

The Braves wiped away the sting of last weekend’s lackluster performance with 3 impressive victories.  Wins over Beavercreek on Friday (5-0) and Troy Sunday (7-2) pushed their league record to 7-1 with their only loss coming to Moeller in December.  The Braves avenged that loss with a come-from-behind 4-3 thriller Saturday in front of a raucous Oxford crowd on Senior Night. 

Talawanda 5 Beavercreek 0

Sophomore goalie, David Yeakle, was stingy in goal for the Braves turning away all 14 shots he faced.  Zach Phillips and Ben Hoover each scored twice and Patrick Gray tallied the other goal in the 5-0 route.  Matt Finch, Jim Alexander and Ryan Marks each garnered assists. 

Talawanda 4 Moeller 3 (Senior Night)

The students and fans came out in large numbers to acknowledge seniors, Zach Phillips, Ben Hoover, Pat Gray, Matt Finch and Charlie Butt.  The crowd was treated to an exciting contest that saw the Braves score twice in the last four minutes to steal the win. 

Phillips and Hoover were not going to be denied on Senior Night as the each scored twice.  Gray and Finch played strong physical games and Junior Ben Eckhoff assisted on all four goals to pace the emotional victory.  Braden Park and Erik Humfleet joined Hoover in gathering assists.  Phillips provided the Braves a 1-0 lead after one period while David Yeakle kicked aside all ten shots on goal.  Moeller had 8 shots before Talawanda countered and Yeakle was the difference early.  The Braves were stymied in the second, smitten by an endless parade to the penalty box.   Gaining any offensive  traction was virtually impossible as they trailed 2-1 after two. 

Early in the third (5:16), Phillips ignited the crowd with twisted wrister from the left circle that paralyzed the Crusader goaltender.  Hoover and Eckhoff earned assists on the 2-2 marker.  Two minutes later, Moeller was gift-wrapped a power play and regained the lead at 3-2.  With time running out, and the Braves enjoying a 4 on 3 man advantage, Eckhoff and Park worked a three way passing play to set up a wide open Ben Hoover to knot the game at 3-3.  Not content to tie on the big night, Talawanda continued to press.  Yeakle thwarted a Moeller breakaway with a minute remaining.  Seconds later Eckhoff and Humfleet advanced the puck into Moeller territory and Humfleet launched a shot on goal that deflected off Ben Hoover’s rib cage for the winning score.  Moeller did not give in until the final buzzer setting the stage for a battle for first place on February 3^rd at SportsPlus.

Talawanda 7 Troy 2