Canton Squirt C1’s win a thriller to reach finals

On Sunday, March 18, in another 6 a.m. game in Raynham, the Canton Squirt C1 team defeated arch enemy Brockton in one of the most thrilling games in recent memory. The Bulldogs were trying to beat the Brockton squad for the second time in two weeks and secure their spot in the finals. They did it with true zest.

The first period saw Canton race out to a 1-0 lead when the dynamic duo of Brendan Albert and John McKeown combined for an early tally. Not to be outdone, Brockton scored a minute later to even the score at one. With just three minutes left in the first, McKeown and Albert hooked up again, this time with Albert getting the goal. The relentless Boxers came right back again just 30 seconds later to tie the affair at two before the buzzer sounded to end the first period.

The war continued in the second, with Albert netting another beauty — assisted by McKeown — to make it 3-2 in favor of Canton. The score remained that way for the rest of the period, with the line of Albert, Dom Cammarata, and McKeown dominating and Brockton doing everything they could to stay close.

The third period would prove to be one of the best periods ever for the Bulldogs. McKeown got things going with his second goal of the day, set up by Albert and Johnny Peplau. That made it 4-2 and also woke the sleeping Boxers, who erupted for three unanswered goals to take a 5-4 lead with just 3:26 left in the game.

As the coaches huddled and decided whether to pull the goalie right away, Albert danced and juked his way down ice and potted a huge tying goal to complete his hat trick. The Bulldogs had new life, but with just 1:12 left in the game it looked like a tie was imminent.

That’s when the coaching staff decided that the Bulldogs had too much momentum and would not let these kids go home without a definite trip to the finals. Coach Klimas pulled goalie Joe Cammarata and put the extra skater on. The move paid off as Albert scored his fourth of the night, drilling the nail right into the Boxers’ coffin. As the Brockton faithful made their way to the exits, Albert struck again — this time putting a nifty pass onto the stick of a streaking Lucas Bryant, who blasted another one past the beleaguered Boxer goaltender.

The thrilling win earned the Bulldogs a trip to Pembroke and a date with Barnstable in the championship game. After the game, two more Bulldogs were added to the All-Star team: McKeown and Peplau will now join standout goalie Joe Cammarata on All-Star Sunday.

While McKeown and Albert were the obvious stars against Brockton, this team wouldn’t be where it is without the contributions of all of its players. Olivia Lanci, Hussein Salem, Zach Gardner, Joe Klimas, Dom Cammarata, Jack Albert, Jack Hernon, Joey Bainton, Jonathan Dowling, Peplau and Bryant have all been very important pieces to a great Bulldog team. Good luck in the finals!

Submitted by Chris Lanci

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=12550

Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 28 2012. Filed under Sports, Youth Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.