Thornton Academy’s Richard Martin handles the puck in the third period on Saturday. ALEX SPONSELLER/ Journal Tribune
The Stags fired on all cylinders, and got a dominant performance from goalie Jason Halvorsen who stopped 27 of 28 TA shots.
“We knew that we would be running into a very good goalie, a very good team, and that we would have a lot of work ahead of us. The game is funny, you can get a couple bounces and they got them and we didn’t. I can’t say the boys didn’t work hard, they worked very hard and had plenty of shots. We ran into a very hot goalie,” said TA coach Michael Roux after the loss. “I’m very proud of this team. A 12-6 record, and my senior leadership did exactly what I asked them to do.”
The Trojans won the first period despite each team going scoreless. After the first 15 minutes TA outshot the Stags 8-1 and seemed to be poised to take control heading into the second period.
However, Cheverus got on the board in just over two minutes in the second on a goal from Jackson Wilson to take a 1-0 lead and to open the flood gates.
“The first goal was going to be huge and they got that,” said Roux. “That was difficult because they could change the way they play and they did a little bit. It made us a little more panicked, the first goal is huge in the game of hockey. We definitely pressured them, I have no complaints with the team and how they played.”
Luke Church would add a power-play goal to extend the Stags’ lead to 2-0 heading into the third period. He would then add his second power-play goal early in the third to extend the lead to 3-0.
TA captain Chandler Bilodeau would score on an unassisted shorthanded goal to make it 3-1 midway through the third, but Cheverus would rebound and get a score from Justin Ray with 2:30 remaining, followed by an empty-netter in the final minute from Wilson to put the game away.
Seth Dube finished the day with 20 saves for TA.
Roux and the Trojans finish the year with a 13-7 overall record, and look forward to seeing a new group of leaders step up next winter.
“We’ve got a good core coming back. It starts with Dube and (Luke) Chessie coming back, a bunch of young players. I’m very hopeful that we can continue to do what we we’re doing this year. The seniors set up a good path for the future,” said Roux.
After missing the playoffs in a disappointing 2016-17, Roux is happy with the direction that the program is heading in.
“I’m very happy with the progress of the team,” said Roux. “They learned how to win again, they know what it takes. We have a bright future ahead of us.”
— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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