A boring first period led to an exciting conclusion as the Colorado Raptors solidified their lead on the SMJHL standings with a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Outlaws.
FIRST PERIOD
Not much to report in this one besides a penalty on Anaheim’s Kevin Robinson for interference and a lack of offense from either sides. Yes, each team had 8 shots in the period, but most of them missed the net, and if they were on target, Raptors netminder Emiko Spektor and her counterpart Abroop Dhami were both up to the task, stopping all of the shots they faced this period. Not exactly a fun one to report on.
SECOND PERIOD
Finally, we get some goals in! Colorado struck first 4:58 in, as Bo Kane picked up a free puck from Calogero Crudelli and slotted home past Abroop Dhami with a wicked wrister to make it 1-0 to the Raptors. But Anaheim wouldn’t go down so easily. The Outlaws dominated play after that, and with 5 minutes left in the period, John Forfeit turned those chances into gold. He missed three (THREE) shots in a row, firing them all wide, before recalibrating and sniping top shelf on Emiko Spektor after a fantastic feed from Ivan Maximus. Shots were 9-8 Anaheim, as both teams finally broke the deadlock.
THIRD PERIOD
This is where it all falls apart for the Outlaws as the Raptors prove their dominance. A lack of discipline cost them severely. Nicholas Owens took a penalty for boarding 9 seconds in, but got off scot-free as the Raptors couldn’t generate anything. Ivan Maximus wasn’t as lucky. He got a high-sticking minor 8:53 in, and only 27 seconds later, Derek Bohne Jr. scored his 3rd or the year after a pass from Spektor found Denver Wolfe, who sent it to him, and he easily slapped one past a helpless Dhami. The next Raptors goal would also come on the power play, as Henrik Sapotchik was sent to the box for holding. With seconds left on the power play, Henrik Lekberg Osterman retrieved the puck after missing the net with his previous shot and wrapped it around Dhami for a 3-1 lead (14:01 in). Anaheim would put the pressure on though, as Colorado’s Georgy Gorbachenko was sent to the box for roughing with 3 and a half minutes left. 20 seconds later, rookie John Forfeit scored his second of the game, as slick passing from Gunnar Petrov and Alex Petrenko led to him getting the puck and scoring in the same place over Spektor. However 20 seconds after Forfeit’s goal, Colorado put the game to bed, as Daniel Kuster scored off of a saucer pass from Heat Siecker. The game ends 4-2, as the Raptors assert dominance. Shots ended 27-25 in favor of the Outlaws, who just couldn’t get much offense done outside of Forfeit’s big day.
THREE STARS
1. John Forfeit (2g)
2. Daniel Kuster (1g, 2 hits)
3. Bo Kane (1g)
ty to @High Stick King @EvilAllBran and @Ragnar for the sigs