Braves Get Tested in Toledo
Each January, the Talawanda Braves Hockey team heads north to Toledo or Cleveland to take aim at state competition. This past weekend was no different, as the Braves ventured to the 2008 Titan Invitational in Toledo. As was the case last year, the result was not stellar but the progression and adjustments made the experience worthwhile. Talawanda started out with a tie versus St. Xavier of Cincinnati (2-2), lost to Elyria Catholic (4-3), and host St. Johns (9-1), before drilling North Central (Toledo) in their consolation game 7-3.
Talawanda 2 St. Xavier 2
The cross town rivals from the Southwest Ohio district faced off in a physical battle Friday night at the Tam O’Shanter arena in Sylvania, Ohio. The game was knotted at 0-0 after one period, with close checking limiting each team’s time and space. The Braves out shot the Bombers 6-2 but goaltender David Yeakle made a sparkling save with 40 seconds to play to keep the game tied. The Braves had to kill a penalty to start the second period and after weathering the storm, Braden Park scored on a feed from Zach Phillips at 3:31. Ben Hoover doubled the margin to 2-0 at 12:02, again with Phillips assisting. The Braves held an 8-4 edge in shots and entered the final stanza with the dreaded 2 goal lead. The Bombers came out determined and scored quickly at 5:50. ST. X out shot Talawanda 10-3 in the third, while tying the game at 9:25 and the Braves had to settle for the disappointing tie.
Elyria Catholic 4 Talawanda 3
The Braves were determined to learn from the Friday collapse when they faced off against Elyria Catholic Saturday morning. In similar fashion, they jumped to an impressive 2-0 lead after one period before squandering it in the second. Zach Phillips scored with help from Braden Park and Ben Eckhoff at 3:08. The trio connected four minutes later with Park redirecting Eckhoff’s point shot. Elyria scored on their first shot of the third period and the Braves looked un-done. The prospects looked bleak, as the Braves had to kill two penalties in the first 5 minutes. Ben Hoover provided the spark, while shorthanded, when he broke loose on a breakaway and scored on a nifty backhander at 4:23. But with 1:53 to play, the Braves allowed an EC sniper to break in all alone on Dan Atkin. Atkin made 16 saves on the night but had no chance on this one and the Braves lost 4-3.
St. Johns 9 Talawanda 1
Talawanda faced off with the host team who had been humbled earlier in the day by St. Xavier. Like a buzzard circling its’ prey the Titans scored early and often in routing the beleaguered Braves, 9-1.
Talawanda 7 North Central 3
The Braves made mental, physical and tactical adjustments in thoroughly dominating North Central of Toledo, 7-3. The game was consistent in that the Braves jumped out to their usual 2-0 lead. And, true to form, Talawanda allowed their opponent to come off the mat one more time and tie the game. The Braves, however, demonstrated poise in this match scoring the next three goals enroute to the win. The game was marked by a bizarre third period where Talawanda was inexplicably whistled for 7 consecutive penalties. For a six minute stint, the Braves played their opponent with 3 players versus 5 and allowed no scores or comeback. Talawanda had more players in the box than they had on their bench. Zach Phillips and Braden Park led the scoring surge with 3 goal hat tricks each. Phillips added three assists, and Park added two. Ben Hoover scored the other Brave goal and added an assist. Ben Eckhoff and goalie David Yeakle contributed helpers as well. Yeakle was solid in the third period stopping 11 shots.