In a physical, fast paced battle at the Canton Recreational Pavilion on Saturday, the boys hockey team made its most profound statement of the season, defeating a highly ranked Ithaca team, 3-2.
Ithaca started the game with a flurry, jumping on the Bears out of the gate and making play difficult. The Little Red registered the first 10 shots of the game in the first few minutes, but the Bears were able to withstand the storm. Slowly, the Bears gained their footing and began to push back.
The physicality that is a signature of Canton’s play when they are at their best was met equally by Ithaca’s own force. The hard hitting play elevated the competition all over the ice for the remainder of the game.
Despite the opening barrage from the Little Red, Canton struck first on the scoreboard. An errant breakout pass from below Ithaca’s goal line landed on the stick of junior forward Owen Logan as he crossed the blue line. Logan stepped around an oncoming defender, and tucked a low shot past the Little Red goaltender.
Ithaca scored the lone goal of the second period to tie the game. After shrugging off several quality opportunities, it was a helpless situation for senior goaltender Gavin Schryver that resulted in the one goal deadlock. A scrum in front of Canton’s net sent freshman defender Luke Parker tumbling into his own goal. As he tried to extract himself, Ithaca fired a shot from the point, which beat an impeded Schyrver.
Ithaca scored again midway through the third period to take the lead. A shot from the point made it to Schyrver, who fended off the initial shot. However, a defensive breakdown in front left an Ithaca forward open to tuck the rebound home.
The Bears resolve proved to be a deciding factor the remainder of the game. Despite being down to a statewide powerhouse, the Bears continued to apply pressure with their speed and physicality, and eventually broke through for the equalizer thanks to their effort.
Logan again made a run toward the net and after a deke that sent an Ithaca defender crashing to the ice, he was hauled down by a backchecking forward. The infraction awarded Canton a penalty shot, and Logan made it count with a nifty bit of deception, a “Kucherov” style goal to tie the game.
Canton’s game winner came with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Senior forward Caleb Premo found the back of the net on a fundamentally sound effort, simply shooting through a defending Ithaca player, which provided just enough of a screen to fool the Little Red goaltender.
The remainder of the game was a battle but Canton managed to prevail in its final non-league contest of the season.
The Bears now face five more league matchups over the course of the next few weeks. Canton will travel to Pine Street Arena next to take on Division I rival Potsdam. Puck drop is 6:45 p.m.
Photos courtesy of Renee Seymour can be found here.
Photos courtesy of Jay Berkman can be found here.
