Team Principal back with a vengeance

The 2015-16 Principal Standard League Season ended with a bang, and it was expected that the 2016-17 season would pick up right where it left off. The teams didn’t disappoint.

Principal avenged their end of season loss to Verity with an 8-0 drubbing in this year’s season opener which was a fast paced, physical and hard hitting affair right from the start. Teams played evenly through the first half of the game, with the score 1-0 at the end of the first period on a goal from Cosney Lee.

Both teams played hard the entire way but it was the constant wave of attack from the youthful Principal players which clearly was a huge advantage. Principal extended their lead by the end of the second period to 5-0, behind 2 more goals by Cosney Lee, one of which was a devastating shorthanded goal at a pivotal moment of the game.

While his hat trick was the difference in the game, Principal added three more goals in the third, which was overshadowed by more aggressive play and penalties as frustration from Verity began to set in.

Team Verity did have several chances to find the back of the net with a strong and coordinated attack of their own, but when they were presented with chances, some golden, they were met with a stout goaltending display by both Principal Goaltenders. Matthew Goldberg and Matthew Young combined for the 33 save shutout, with Matthew Young coming in half way through the second period and producing 17 saves. Perhaps none more important than his last as Mike Lam of Verity had a breakaway with less than 5 seconds left in the game. While this would not have produced a win, it would have thwarted the shutout bid however he was denied at the doorstep by Young.

The two teams square off again on September 27th, at Mega Ice.