Canton Squirt C1 hockey team takes out Brockton

By Guest

The Canton Squirt C1 ice hockey team readied themselves for a postseason run with an exciting 5-4 win over Brockton. The kids knew that this was a team they will face in the playoffs, so they came out with a determined and focused attitude.

Canton jumped out to a quick lead when Barrett Pratt made a great play in his own end and broke up the left wing, beating a Brockton defender and sending an excellent pass over to newcomer Jack Albert, who scooted in and beat the goaltender before being dragged down and dislodging the net. Moments later, Jack’s older brother Brendan went in unassisted and blasted in his own tally to give the hardworking Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.

First ballot all-star goalie Joe Cammarata stood on his head for the whole period, making several kick-out stops to keep the ’dogs tied with Brockton 2-2 after one stanza.

Canton kept the pressure on Brockton in the second, with two big scores by John “Q” McKeown, who has been the Bulldogs’ most feared scorer all year. His first was unassisted, and Jack “Tiny” Albert got a helper on Q’s second goal as Canton took a 4-2 lead. The Canton defense also played very well, with veteran blueliners John Peplau, Lucas Bryant, Jack Hernon and Joe Bainton making heady plays throughout the day in their own end.

The third period started with continued pressure by Canton, but with time running down the Bulldogs got careless, and in trying to make up for mistakes they got bad penalties. This led to a 5-on-3 advantage, helping Brockton break through with two goals to make it 4-4 with just eight minutes to go.

Less than two minutes later, Brendan Albert scored his second of the game on a beautiful play and pass by Dom Cammarata, who played his best game of the season. In the final two minutes, Canton stalled a fast-moving Brockton team that was desperately trying to score. With their goaltender pulled, they reverted back to hanging by the Canton blue line and trying to make a stretch pass to break a player in on a breakaway, but again they were stumped by Canton.

Jonathan Dowling worked hard and earned his breakaway, skating away from the pack and almost scoring his first goal, but Brockton’s goalie made a great save on Dowling’s deke. Joe Cammarata stopped the onslaught and the Bulldogs held on for the 5-4 victory.

Canton quieted the very confident Brockton club. The playoffs start this week, and the Bulldogs feel confident that they will win out.

Submitted by Chris Lanci

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