|
|
|
 |
| |
| July 19, 2004
By Irish #19
Day Four: July Is a Good Month for Revolution…
|  And More NARCh 2004 Champions.
July 18, 2004
At NARCh 2004
Cincinnati, Ohio
As Benjamin Franklin Said: July is a Good Month for Revolution
The First Championship Monday of 2004 came, and went, and it was really kind of well, Championship like. We have some games to run down for you, and smoke Champions to announce. Not much commentary tonight which, I know, will make some of you very happy. But I don’t really care, OK, because I have my three confirmed readers from my own site that will follow me to Cincinnati and back not matter what I do or say…
They are so loyal they are like my dogs. Well, come to think of it, my dogs left so they are MORE loyal than those stupid mangy mutts anyway.
Whatever could go right today went right today. For those that would be crowned champions, they played on. They stayed focused. They kept their eye on the prize and in the end they won because they stayed focused on the finish line. How did they do it? To me, that is simple, they did it by saying to themselves and to everyone else: Look as us, not look at me.
Today we talk only about Champions and then preview you on the upcoming week and the start of Platinum.
Atom Gold
The Tour Thunderblades came in ranked but underdogs and it just goes to show you that especially with the youngsters, if you make a top ten list – anyone with half a brain’s top ten list – that means you are either 1 or 10, okay?
I always looked on each tournament as having a life of it’s own, and well, this one is no different and this division is no different.
Now, I love the Bordercats, you all know that. But this game belonged to Florida from the outset of play. Corey Kennedy started the scoring early, at the 11:17 mark of the first, assisted by Rory Barrett. Kennedy *which is, by the way, a very very Irish name)Alex Goodman about the 8 minute mark. PAL was up 2-0. Two minutes later Barrett scored unassisted, followed two minutes later by Mason Kriedt, who also scored unassisted.
The Bordercats were in a 4-0 hole going into the second period of play. Although PAL had out-shot them 14 to 8, the Thunderblade goalie was in excellent form, turning all shots away.
In the second, Rory Barret blew it open for PAL, scoring two early, assisted by Keenan Deignan and Goodman. The Cats got on the board when Dylan Larkin was assisted by Jake Gammicchia, at the 1015 mark of the second, and then Michael Houle scored, assisted by Grant Jubb. By the way, Michael Houle wears number 19, the number of another Hockey great…Irish#19 or Steve Yzerman… I can’t remember which one…
Anyway, Cats get within 4, but the Thunderblade’s Seth Wall and Alex Goodman scored again, and the Thunderblades went on to win 8-2. Matthew Pompa, the Thunderblade goalie, blocked 18 of 20 shots in the game.
The Atom Gold Division went: Gold – PAL Thunderblades (FL), Silver – Tour Bordercats (MI), Bronze – Tour Blast (MO).
High scorer was Corey Kennedy of the PAL Thunderblades with a 3.57 points per game average; Top Goalie was Steven Kemp of the Tour Blast who turned away 49 of 60 shots, for .817 save average.
Mite Gold
In Mite Gold the Philadelphia Revolution got two in the first behind goals from Luc Espisito and Eric Purnell with assists from Andy Zubak and Teddy Baker.
The game stayed tight until half way through the second, when it was Revolutions #35 (Luc Espisito) again scoring twice, this time with assists to Wanke, to put them up four. Up to this point the game was a toss up. Sure, the Revolution was up 2, but it was see saw and in the first period of play, and the start of the second.
In any event, the Revolution added goals by Kevin Wanke and John Espisito, John Espisito and Luc Espisito assisting on both.
Hyper would get on the board with goals by Mitchell Steur and Tyler Steiner, both assisted by Roadrunner’s #9, Brian Scheln.
Jake Purnell, the Revolution goalie stopped 18 of 20 shots.
In speaking to the Revolution Head Coach, Bill Wanke, he stated their game plan was to contain the Hyper’s top scorer and to take advantages and move the put into scoring position. They did not want to get into a run and gun game with them, as they were very talented.
It proved a good plan. The Revolution celebrated their Championship and a class Head Coach for the Silver Medalists Roadrunners, Anthony Violante, came by and congratulated the Revolution Head Coach during the interview.
Two great teams both of which would have made great champions, but for now the Revolution gets to wear that title.
Luc Espisito of the 1st place Revolution, takes the top scorer with an average ppg of 3.5. Jake Purnell, also of the Revolution, took Top Goalie posting 60 saves from 66 shots, for a .909 save average.
Women Gold:
Going into the final game, Head Coach Dave Marmerstein, had picked Tour Jaguars as one of the top teams in the Division, and he was proven correct.
The Jaguars speed and balanced attacked proved too much for a gamey Team Arizona, as they rolled to a finals win over 4-3. However, while the jaguars jumped up quick and held a game long 3-0 lead, the Arizona ladies stormed back in the final few minutes to get close, but the game not being horseshoes, it was not enough.
Play was even in the early going, when Arizona rushed and crossed the puck in front of the net, but Kelsie O’Connor went wide on a open net, and the Jaguars pounced, taking advantage of the rolling puck and went down, executing their own crossing pass Kristin Sacerdote slammed it home for Jersey. The Jaguars went up 1-0, and then played a controlled offensive style that saw Jersey score right before the 1st period buzzer. At the half, it was 2-0 Jaguars.
The opening of the second period saw Michelle Vittese go Coast to Coast, and put the Jaguars up 3-0. Arizona scored a minute later and there it stood until AZ picked up a penalty and then got a short handed goal at 1:40 in addition to killing the penalty. It was 4-2.
In the next rush, AZ squandered a 3 on 1, but did score with seconds left, to close to 1, 4-3. Although AZ did get a few scoring chances at the end, some good jaguar defense on a 5 on 4, saw them to victory.
High School:
The Semifinalists in High School are Oakville (MO) who will face Marina Vikings (CA) in the first game, and Temecula Valley (Seed 2) facing Parkway South (MO).
This is the first of a two parter…later we report on the wins by Midget 18under Corona Knights, Junior Gold Cincinnati Storm, and the Men’s Senior Chubacabraz.
To read Irish #19's previous articles on NARCh 2004 see the Latest News section.
|
Site
Credits |
|
|
|
