Saints Settle for Second Place
By Jake Dobson “Voice of the Saints”
The Green Gaels came into Newmarket and left with first place. This game was the fastest game the Saints had played so far this year and it showed in the third period as they ran out of gas. The Gaels relentlessly pushed the ball up the floor and took control of the game with a mistake free third period. The Saints can take a lot of positives out of a game where they were matching the Gaels until the third.
The Saints D played very physical and very strong and limited the Gaels chances when they formed the house. The Gaels had trouble penetrating into the middle against a determined group of defenders. It was only in transition that the Gaels were creating and capitalizing on opportunities. The Gaels were extremely fast in the open floor and knew that they would be hit with a good pass.
Jordan Rothery was pulled in the third but it was not his fault at all. The Razor shut down many Gaels chances but faced too many out numbered situations to have a chance to win. The Saints were out shot and their goaltender did all he could to keep the team in it.
The offense struggled at times missing some key opportunities getting beat in transition all night.
With that said the Saints scored some very pretty goals and were managing to create all of their chances from set plays. They were hungry on loose balls and played well through forty minutes. Newmarket can beat the best teams in this league and will gain some very valuable experience from a tough schedule to finish the season. Home floor advantage in the playoffs will be bitterly fought over.
The Saints will now take a very deserving week off to rest before going to Barrie to take on the Tornado on June 4.
GAME NOTES
Taylor Geoffrey stepped up and got Connor Eustace’s back. Eustace was levelled with the ball no where near him and Geoffrey stepped in and took on the Gaels captain and biggest player. This is the kind of heart the Saints will need to be a serious playoff team.
Ryan “Sledgehammer” O’Sullivan was huge on D tonight. He was awarded the player of the game for the Saints after his best game of the season.
Logan Hurst returned to the line up after missing four games with a broken hand. He scored a great goal to start the game.
I heard a great GO SAINTS GO chant from the crowd tonight. There certainly was electricity in the air at the Complex.
Good game by the Saints. We learned a lot and know that there is a lot of work to be done still.
GO SAINTS GO.
