ICE HOCKEY

CR South ices Souderton Indians on opening night

CR South Golden Hawks goalie, Carson Lopez prepares for the opening faceoff.

By: Golden Hawks News
STAFF WRITER

BRISTOL, PA - After a run to the Flyers Cup finals last season, much is expected of the Council Rock Golden Hawks this hockey season, and in their first game they didn’t disappoint. The Golden Hawks basically overwhelmed the Souderton Indians hockey team for much of the game and came away with a 9-1 win at Grundy arena.

Freshman rookie Jake Weiner started the scoring after a nice hustle play, beating two Soudy players to a dump in and coming away with the puck. He ended up in front of the net and banged in his own rebound giving the Hawks their first tally of the year. Wiener was impressive all night with his hustle and physicality. The Hawks continued to control play after that and, after a missed interference call at center-ice that would’ve penalized the Hawks, Council Rock went on the power play. Their talent was on full display with the man advantage as a fine passing play ended with Blaize Pepe netting his first of the year. Not long after, Gavin Nisenzon would score a controversial goal that eventually was ruled in favor of the Hawks for a 3-0 lead. South continued to pour on the offense and Koles made a beautiful play, and pass, to find Cole Gainsley for an easy tap-in. At this point Souderton coach Ryan Uchniat called timeout to settle his team and slow South’s momentum. It ended up being a wise decision as the Indians effort after that was decidedly better and led to Souderton's only goal of the night. A bad Council Rock turnover in their defensive zone, an instance that would rear itself several times for the Hawks before the game was over, led to Seth Grossman taking the gift and skating in alone on Hawks goaltender Carson Lopez, tucking a nifty backhander over his shoulder to give the Indians some life. Souderton continued with improved play throughout the period, but it was Daniel Filippov who would close out the scoring in the first with a seeing-eye wrist shot from the top of the circle. Souderton keeper Noah Connor saw 23 shots in that first period, but his best saves were yet to come.

The second period got off to a slow start with Souderton continuing its improved play, but only managing single shot rushes, and Council Rock still controlling much of the zone-time advantage. Connor would make some absolutely unbelievable saves, especially in close, to try and keep his team in the game, but the onslought continued. Jeremy Rayher snuck one past Connor with a nice tip off of a feed from Filipov who was obviously on the same page as Rayher and sent him a nice hard pass to deflect. Gainsley scored again for South on a wrist shot through Connors five-hole, one that he’d probably want back, and it was 7-1 Golden Hawks after two periods.

Trevor Rakszawski replaced Lopez in the Hawks net for the third period, and played well in not allowing a goal, but it was Connor again who was the story in the third period, further frustrating South players and fans hoping to get home before midnight. Kevin Koles, poised to be one of the SHSHL’s greats this season, rounded out the scoring in the third period with two goals, first with a strong snap wrister over Connor’s shoulder, then on a great individual effort while his team was two-men short. Final shot tally was 66 to 20 in favor of the Golden Hawks.

Council Rock has a very talented team, maybe the most talented in recent years, however they are young, and at least last night, seemed prone to mistakes commonly made by a young team. Against a more formidable opponent it may cost them dearly and made head coach Joe Houk very concerned. Houk has plenty of time to settle his team and work things out, and historically his teams play their best hockey in the second half, but the talent is there for another deep run and last night's victory made an opening statement that Council Rock is again the team to beat in the SHSHL

GAME RECAP

First period goals: (SOUD) #19 Seth Grossman, (UNASSISTED) EVEN STRENGTH 5:55 ; (CRS) #77 Jake Weiner, (UNASSISTED) EVEN STRENGTH 15:23 ; (CRS) #76 Blaize Pepe, (#28 Chase Tovsky, #86 Kevin Koles ) EVEN STRENGTH 12:16 ; (CRS) #17 Gavin Nisenzon, (#86 Kevin Koles ) EVEN STRENGTH 9:45 ; (CRS) #29 Cole Gainsley, (#76 Blaize Pepe, #86 Kevin Koles) EVEN STRENGTH 6:01 ; (CRS) #31 Daniel Filippov, (#76 Blaize Pepe) EVEN STRENGTH3:44

Second period goals: (CRS) #10 Jeremy Rayher, (#31 Daniel Filippov, #86 Kevin Koles) EVEN STRENGTH 4:27 ; (CRS) #29 Cole Gainsley, (UNASSISTED) EVEN STRENGTH 3:59

Third period goals: (CRS) #86 Kevin Koles, (#31 Daniel Filippov) EVEN STRENGTH 12:36 ; (CRS) #86 Kevin Koles, (#76 Blaize Pepe ) PP 11:11

• The Quakertown Panthers defeated the Bensalem Owls by a score of 6-1 in the early game Wednesday night at Grundy Arena.