The boys varsity hockey team cruised to victory in its final contest before a holiday break on Tuesday night, topping Thousand Islands 6-0 at Appleton Arena. Thanks to healthy offensive contribution from the Bears defenders, Canton starts the season with two points in its first league contest.
The first career point for a young Golden Bear helped get Canton on the board just minutes into the first period. After wrangling a pass at the point from junior forward Owen Palmer, eighth grade defender Jake Hayes looked off an opposing forward before moving the puck across the blue line to his defensive partner, senior Jack Brandy. Brandy found Palmer across the zone, and Palmer slipped a shot just over the goaltender’s pad.
Canton’s next goal came from the blue line. An errant shot by junior forward Aaron Rosales found its way into the corner, where Brandy crashed from the blue line and gathered up the rebound. After looping behind the net, he dished a pass to senior defender Lucas Clausen who was crashing from the point. Clausen capitalized and the goal—the first of his short career as a Golden Bear—put Canton up two.
Canton’s third and final goal of the first period again came from a defender. Senior defender Caleb Premo picked up a pass from his brother and defensive partner, Carter Premo, and streaked into the zone where he dropped a pass to junior forward Robert Palmer and continued to the net. Palmer’s shot ricocheted off the goaltender’s pad and onto the waiting stick of Premo, who tucked home the rebound.
Rebounds continued to prove fruitful for the Bears in the second period. Moments in, senior forward Caleb Briggs picked up a turnover on Thousand Islands’ blue line and streaked toward the net. He managed to cut around a defender before dishing a close range shot on the goaltender. Rosales crashed in to follow up Briggs’ effort, and was able to shovel home a waiting puck through the legs of the goalie.
Canton’s final two goals were both scored shorthanded. On different penalty kills, junior forwards Owen Logan and R. Palmer both scored after causing turnovers and capitalizing on their respective shots.
The third period presented an opportunity for Canton to experiment. While no goals were scored, the Bears spent considerable time in the offensive zone even after mixing up lines to offer some new chances for younger players.
The Bears, now 3-3-1, will break for a couple of weeks before returning to league play. Canton’s next contest will be on the road on January 7 as they travel to Lockwood arena to play the Ogdensburg Free Academy Blue Devils.
For Section X hockey scores, stats and standings, visit sectionxhockeynac.com.
