Middleton hockey boys take 16-0 hit from Barrington Barons

A short bench is a killer as the Middleton Monarchs boys found out yet again Nov. 25 at home when they were downed 16-0 by Western Division leaders the Barrington Barons in Valley High School Hockey League action.

With just 12 players there was little time to rest for the MRHS squad.

The 1-6 Middleton Regional High School put out a pair of goalies with young netminder Owen Lockwood facing the Barons’ shooters first, giving up seven goals in the first. Monarchs manager Albert Johnson later said Lockwood must have felt at times that he was being hung out to dry.

“Jason Ward jumped into the breach for the remainder of the game yielding four more goals in the second period and five in the final as the legs wilted for many of the tired Monarchs,” said Johnson. But despite the loss, Johnson had good things to say about the Middleton skaters.

“Although outscored on the board the 12 Middleton skaters had little quit in them from the opening whistle to the final horn,” Johnson said. “The defensive duos of CJ Martin-cory Johnson and Thomas Connell-logan Gesner worked tirelessly against the bigger and stronger Baron attackers.”

He also praised the effort of the offense that kept skating on tired legs.

“Ned Brooks showed great work ethic as did Luke Sawler and Brandon Smith with all three closely missing on some good scoring chances,” Johnson said. “The remaining forwards also showed lots of grit and hustle albeit in a losing cause.”

Barrington had a strong work crew.

Joseph Atkinson and Jude Greenwood led the Barons scoring parade each collecting two goals and five assists, followed closely behind with six-point nights from Jagger Kane (three goals and three assists) and Tanner Bateman (two goals and four assists). Additional Baron goals were collected by Tanner O’connor (2), Justin Smith (2), with singles from Kieran O’connor, Jacob Symonds, and Teagan Ross.

Next week the Monarchs are off to Berwick for the Annual Central Kings Tournament but resume League action at home versus NKEC on Dec. 9.