Dec 27, 2012 | Joe Heinisch | 221 views
Team Allstate Goalie Nolan S. Finds a Shutout in his Stocking!
Thursday December 27, 2012
Game Reporter: Jay Nijhuis
Team Allstate Insurance was singing "Holly Jolly Christmas" all the way to the dressing room after a fantastic performance in Game #1 of the annual Christmas Tournament at RIM Park in Waterloo. Any fears about too much turkey and stuffing weighing down the boys in black were quickly forgotten after an impressive 2-0 victory over Team Schlueter Hyundai.
Before the game, Coach Joe reminded the team that the reason they won their last game was that they added patience with the puck to their strong work ethic. Guys on the team are now taking the time to look around and make smart plays with the puck which was evident in the last game that Team Allstate played just before Christmas.
The hard work and hustle was quickly on display in Game #1 of the Christmas Tournament as Team Allstate Insurance was pressuring Team Schlueter Hyundai in both ends of the ice with several good chances to score not converted, it was 0-0 after the first period.
Team Allstate Insurance potted the first goal of the game in the second period, Logan N. rushed the puck up ice and was taken down at the red line. Captain Joe V. picked up the loose puck and rushed in to score a beautiful goal making it 1-0 for team Black. Later in the second period, Wesley S. and Logan N. crossed the blue line on a 2 on 1 rush and Wesley fired a hard wrist shot into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2-0 Team Allstate Insurance.
Enter the first star of the game, goaltender Nolan S. who made some incredible saves in the 3rd period to keep Team Schlueter Hyundai off of the score sheet. Had he not made those saves the game could have turned out much differently. A big tip of the hat to Team Allstate's defensive core who had a strong game making sure all rebounds were cleared into the corners and also did an amazing job breaking up numerous odd man rushes in the neutral zone.
Also some props going out to Liam J. who hit the post late and to Ty C. who keeps making great passes to his team mates from the corners. Best unintentional hit of the game goes to Dustin K. and gutsiest performance to Elliott D. who came back from an early ankle injury to have a strong game.
Game #2 in the Christmas Tournament for Team Allstate Insurance goes tomorrow morning at 8:30am against Team Libro Financial Group at RIM Optimist Arena.
Shots on goal for this game were 18-13 in our favour.