Bryan Westendorf doesn't let this rebounds get away. Westendorf made 54 saves in a losing effort on Sunday against Wooster (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) IceHawks' Westendorf Makes 54 Saves Against Wooster on Sunday
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In their continuing effort to turn the season around, Tri City signed last year's outstanding goaltender, Bryan Westendorf. The move appears to have greatly improved the goal tending situation as he faced 59 shots stopping 54 in outstanding fashion. But defensive mistakes and an inability to sustain offensive pressure proved to be too much even in the wake of a third period charge as Wooster skated off with a 5-2 win.
The new goaltender made his presence felt in the first period as he shot out of the net time and again to challenge Oiler shooters. Refusing to give up rebounds on many shots, he stopped all 20 shots he faced in a smooth in control style. But the Icehawks could not generate much offensively as the Oilers' defense swooped in preventing any kind of an offensive push limiting Tri City to 6 long range shots for the period.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Wooster scored again four minutes later. Oiler's Kyle Harnish came out of the corner with the puck and fired a pass to the back side of the net for a Nate Pritchard one timer making it 2-0 Oilers.
Westendorf came up big two minutes later to keep the Oilers within range. A lead pass was heading down the right side on what surely was to be a two on none play. Westendorf raced out to the top of the faceoff circle colliding with the Oiler but not before he cleared the puck to prevent a great scoring opportunity. Despite his efforts, the Oilers were able to capitalize on a power play knocking a third rebound past a sprawling goalie to go up 3-0. Wooster outshot the Icehawks in the second period 23-3 for a two period mark of 43-9 but only a 3-0 lead.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The Icehawks started the third period on the power play. The advantage allowed them to get some offensive rhythm going as they were able to put a strong charge on the net. The Oilers damped the Icehawk effort when, after holding their push off, the Oilers scored on a power play of their own making it 4-0. Then lightning struck.
At 15:14, Dean Potila found Cameron Bruff just in front of the goal line at the boards. The tough winger fired at the net and it deflected in for a score making it 4-1 Oilers. Potila went back to the well sixteen seconds later this time finding Maxim Plyuyko at the same spot. The powerful defenseman fired a shot that deflected off the side of the Oiler goaltender and the Icehawks had new life at 4-2.
The Icehawks had renewed hope and energy as they went on the attack carrying the puck into the Oiler zone with confidence and purpose. The offensive pressure did produce a couple breakaways for Wooster which Westendorf handled keeping the Icehawks close. Wooster responded to the new life in the Icehawks but putting some pressure of their own on. The result was a third rebound goal giving them a cushion they would never relinquish. The Oilers held a shooting edge in the period of 16-8 for a game total of 59-17 and a 5-2 win.
While the outcome was the same, the superb goal tending of Westendorf provides the Icehawks with a foundation from which to build from.
The Icehawks will play in the annual Holiday Ironman Classic at Ice Mountain in Burton, MI. The event is to be held December 17-19 each GLJHC team playing four games.
The Icehawks return to Bay City to take on the Michigan Ice Dogs at 7:30 pm.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
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John Keuvelaar |
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