by A full radio call of this game can be heard here –
THIS RECAP IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY –
Robert Gates Legacy Foundation – Rob Gates Legacy, Organ Donation Foundation | Facebook
This Foundation is to raise money to provide relief to transplant recipients, their costs of rejection medications are thousands of dollars per month and they are needed to keep them alive. Also, to provide scholarships in Rob’s name. And to also provide financial relief to living donors as they have to take time off of work for testing work ups, surgery, etc, all to save someone’s life by giving the gift of life.
The 1st seeded Avon Lake Shoremen met the 4th seeded Olmsted Falls Bulldogs in the semi finals of the Baron Cup White Division. The Shoreman got out to a fast start and blew up in the 2nd period, while the Bulldogs started a comeback in the final period. Ultimately the comeback fell short and the Shoreman won the game 5-3, advancing themselves into the championship game in the white division.
The Shoreman came out of the gate absolutely buzzing, They won the puck drop and immediately went on the attack. Just 56 seconds into the game freshman forward Kaleb Ireland buried a backdoor goal to put Avon Lake up 1-0. Junior Kooper Nilson and freshman Noah Logertman picked up assists on the goal as they pushed the puck forward and found Ireland at the right place and time.
As the period continued both teams started to settle into the game. With around 10 minutes left in the 1st Olmsted Falls mounted a strong attack. They got the puck over the blue line and began to cleanly move the puck around. After some set up they created 3 great chances, but Shoreman goalie Declan Roth put together some great saves and kept the Bulldogs off the board.
The Period continued with little stoppages. Avon Lake controlled the puck for the majority of the final 5 minutes of the period but couldn’t make much happen. The Bulldog defense held strong and kept the game 1-0 to end the period.
The second period started just like the first, with Avon Lake coming out of the gate fast. They wasted no time getting into the Bulldogs zone and senior Luke Swain found the back of the net thanks to a nice pass from senior Cole Wallace, making the game 2-0.
Avon Lake continued to control the game as the Bulldogs neutral zone struggles continued. However not much happened until a faceoff in Avon Lakes with 2:30 left in the period. Shoreman center Kooper Nilson won the faceoff and shot up the ice. He entered the Bulldog zone, deaked around a few defenders and buried it glove side for Avon Lakes 3rd goal.
The Shoreman were not finished as junior Nate LePrevost found the back up net, firing it into the top right corner with 50 seconds left in the period. 40 seconds later the Shoreman shot into a 2 on 1 with 10 seconds on the clock and freshman Ryan Gibel joined the goal party to close out the period. The Shoreman had 22 shots of goal to the Bulldogs 5 in the period, and went into the locker room up 5-0.
The third period began with very even play from both teams. Both were creating chances, but couldn’t create much out of them. It wasn’t until over halfway through the period where one of them broke through.
With about 7 and a half minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs found some life. Junior Charlie Labib got them on with a goal. Just 2 minutes later senior Cameron Simons also found the back of the net, making the score 5-2.
The Bulldogs continued to attack and were able to put another goal on the board thanks to senior Owen Butterfield, but it came with just 59 seconds left. The 5 goal deficit was ultimately just too much for Olmsted Falls to overcome as the game ended 5-3 with the Shoreman on top. This moves Avon Lake into the white division Championship game on Sunday.
