Dec 08, 2012 | tonyh | 312 views
Rocks Gain Tie Against Burlington and a Win Against New Hamburg
The Hespeler Major Atom A Shamrocks completed their last 2 games against very tough competition and proved that they will be a force for the upcoming playoff season!
In a game played on Saturday December 1st, the Shamrocks skated to a come-from-behind 3-3 tie with the always dangerous Burlington Eagles.
The Rocks followed up that performance with an entertaining 6-4 win over the New Hamburg Huskies who had lost only 2 regular season games all year.
The game against Burlington saw the Rocks fall behind 2-0 but rebound to secure the draw. A tireless forecheck that featured players driving to the net and buzzing around the Burlington goal were key elements to the outcome.
Playing in perhaps his best game all year was first-year forward Aaron Nagel. Nagel used his speed on multiple occassions to get to the net and create scoring chances but his best play was a hard backcheck that prevented a point-blank chance by an opposing player!
Also playing a fabulous game was veteran centre Brayden Moore. Moore is a heads-up player that gives 100% effort and is great dressing room presence, keeping the boys loose and relaxed before a game with his dynamic personality!
After the game, Moore was kind enough to sit down for an extended interview.
Reporter: "Brayden, how has the season gone so far in your opinion?"
Moore: "I've had some down games but overall I've made some passes; scored some goals; and made some great new friends and their names are Aaron and Ben!"
Reporter: "You've brought up a good point Brayden. You have two new A players on the team in Aaron and Ben. You also have Nick that is back after a year off hockey, and you have Owen that is playing his first year in goal. That's a lot of changes. How would you say the team is getting along overall with all those changes?'
Moore: "Pretty good!"
Reporter: "Pretty good?"
Moore: "Yeah."
Reporter: "Pretty good. Ok....that's awesome! So let me ask you, what do you think the Shamrocks need to do to be successful in the playoffs?"
Moore: "Number one we need to have no more injuries. Number two we need to make more passes and start dumping it in and go wide. And when the defence move around the net with the puck then the forwards need to start skating.
Coach Terry, he's our coach, told us that when the forwards start to skate up, the defence need to skate up. And when the defense starts to skate up then the forwards need to skate up."
Reporter: "That makes sense. So next question Brayden, is it true that all girls want to date a Shamrock?"
Moore: (without hesitation) "Yep!"
Reporter: "Is it"?
Moore: "Yep! For sure."
Reporter: "So do you have lots of girls at your school that are lining up to date you just so that they can say they are dating a Shamrock?"
Moore: "Well, there was this one girl but she moved and I was like 'dangit' because she did have a crush on me!"
Reporter: "She did, did she?"
Moore: "Yeah!"
Reporter: "So do you have a girlfriend now?"
Moore: "No"
Reporter: "Just enjoying the single life?"
Moore: "Yeah. I'm saving it more for prom!"
Reporter: "Cool! That makes sense! Let me ask you Brayden, how do you personally get prepared before a game?"
Moore: "Usually I either eat chocolate or in our van we have like ACDC. I usually listen to 'Shook Me All Night Long' or 'Back in Black' or 'You Took the Words Right Out of my Mouth', like all that stuff...."
Reporter: "Yeah, I'm with you....like some 'old school stuff'"
Moore: (laughing) "Yeah, some 'old school'"
Reporter: "So now I want you to give me one word and one word only to describe each of your coaches. Are you ready?"
Moore: "Yeah."
Reporter: "OK. Coach Terry?"
Moore: "Amazing!"
Reporter: "Coach Matt?"
Moore: "Amazing!"
Reporter: "Coach Mel?"
Moore: "Amazing!"
Reporter: "Coach Mike?"
Moore: "Amazing!"
Reporter: "Very nice! Ok final question. If you could give one message to the teams that you will be facing in the playoffs what would that message be?"
Moore: "For all the teams out there get ready!!! Get ready because the Shamrocks are coming and they're coming to your town!!!!"
Reporter: "Thanks Brayden....that was awesome!"
Moore: "No problem!!! Peace out!"
After Saturday's tie, next up were the powerful New Hamburg Huskies. A team that Hespeler must beat in order to secure the coveted second seed in the playoffs.
The Shamrocks did not disappoint and were once again able to utilize their team speed to generate scoring chances throughout the entire game.
Up front, Adam Hoff had a fantastic game at both ends of the ice. Hoff showed off an excellent wrist shot and worked very hard at both ends of the rink!!! Hoff, back after missing a week with a concussion, showed no ill-effects against the Huskies.
At the backend, Justyn Sillanpaa-Knox was a powerful force clearing the puck and making solid decisions to constantly get the puck out of the Shamrock zone!!! Sillanpaa-Knox made one very nice play in particular while in the neutral zone. Justyn saw a forward wide-open on the other side of the ice and alertly got him the puck to create a scoring opportunity.
Great job to both Adam and Justyn!!!!
The Shamrocks next game is today against Burlington at 2:15pm. I won't be there so that means Coach Matt needs to give me an update....I will be looking for something good!!!
Good luck boys!!!!