Bantam A takes Silver at the Pond

The Bantam A traveled to Newark , DE the day after Thanksgiving to participate in the Thanksgiving Hockey Classic.  The first game was at the Gold Arena at the University of Delaware where they faced the Atlantic City Sharks. The Freeze quickly jumped to the lead two minutes into the game.  They scored three more goals before the period was over and three more in the game to win 7-0.  On Saturday, they faced the NJ Devils at the Pond Ice Arena. The Freeze went up 2-1 by the end of the second period. Two more Freeze goals in the third period capped the win. Sunday's game against the Old Bridge Junior Knights became a battle for the second spot in the Championship game later in the day. The Jr. Knights got on the board first three minutes into the game.  The Freeze played hard all period and it paid off with a goal with :13 seconds left to tie it up. The only scoring in the second period was by the Freeze. The Jr. Knights came out determined in the third and quickly tied the score. About four minutes later, the Freeze went ahead for good winning 3-2 and headed to the Championship game against first seed Toms River Blackhawks.  Toms River came out strong and found the net five minutes into the game.  Fans saw a fast-paced second period that was well played by both teams.   The third period was equally exciting and the Freeze appeared to tie it up with :36 left on the clock only to have it called off for a hand pass.  The Freeze then pulled their goalie to add offensive pressure but came up short with Toms River getting control of the puck and scoring an empty net goal at :05 to secure the championship. Congratulations to all the Bantam A players on winning the Silver medal.  

Story by Linda Tuorinsky

Photo by Susan Redgate