The Canton Bears Varsity Hockey team beat Malone 4-2 on Tuesday night on the road.
In the first period, the Bears weren’t looking so hot. Coming off a four game losing streak, and with Malone recently beating the Tier II Champs, Norwood-Norfolk, it was uncertain how the game would play out. Canton could not find the compete level needed to play Section X hockey. The lack of concentration by the Bears meant they would have to play with a 2 goal deficit leading into the second period.
Refocused and energized, the Bears came out flying after the first intermission. The Bears continued their pace of play throughout the second, looking like a brand new team. Effort and productivity increased, and the Bears kept the Huskies down to two shots in the second, with 15 shots to their favor. Canton was able to net its first goal of the game on the powerplay, as Peter Coakley notched his first career varsity goal for the Bears on a shot from the point. The goal was assisted by Daniel Mahoney, his first of four assists in the game.
Still, Canton trailed 2-1 going into the third period. Coakley scored again from the point, tying the game at 2 on a shot almost identical to his first. Daniel Mahoney again supplied an assist, along with a secondary helper from Rhett Palmer.
Palmer’s night was not done as he crashed the net and finished the play on a dribbling puck fumbled by Malone’s goaltender, which proved to be the game winner for Canton.
Justin Brabant recorded his first career goal later in the period as an insurance policy for the Bears. The Huskies continued to battle and pulled their goalie. This was to no avail, and the Bears killed the remaining minutes to pick up 2 points in league play.
The Bears will continue their season in Vermont on Dec. 20 and 21.
Editor’s Note: This blog comes courtesy of Scotty Ahlfeld.
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