Lawrenceville drops nine goals to rout Hun
HAMILTON >> After a frustrating first period, Lawrenceville captain Trevor White knew two things were needed if it was going to change the outcome against Hun.
Resilience and pace were the keys for the Big Red.
“We were a little flat in the first period,’’ said White, after the Big Red took a 9-3 win over neighboring Hun on Tuesday in a Mid-Atlantic Hockey League game played at Iceland.
If Lawrenceville (4-1, 2-0 MAHL) was looking ahead to Friday’s start of the 71st Lawrenceville Tournament, one of the most prestigious in the Northeast, it didn’t show against the Raiders (3-3, 0-2 MAHL).
“This game speaks to the resilience of our team,’’ added White. “We can go a period and not get much going and then all the sudden hop on them and score a couple quick ones. The pace wasn’t what we were used to, so it took some adjusting.’’
The adjustments worked to perfection as the Big Red scored four straight in six minutes to take a 5-1 lead at the 7:42 mark of the second period and cruised to a 6-2 lead by intermission.
“It was a nice effort from our team,’’ said Lawrenceville coach Keith Dupee. “As the game wore on we stuck to the game plan and were able to put some things together and we finished our chances.’’
The Raiders, who have now lost three straight, were guilty of 10 penalties and it certainly added to the Big Red’s chances.
“We didn’t deserve to win, but I’m not sure they deserved to win 9-3,’’ said Hun coach Ian McNally. “It could have been a different game. Unfortunately, in the moment we are not able to decide the game is what is most important and not the individual altercation. This is three games in a row we have let up three power play goals.’’
Frederic Labbe and Mike Rocco led the scoring parade for the Big Red each with a pair of goals. Single tallies came from Nikita Nesterenko, Toby Webster, Kaz Matsuo, Miles Brodey and Marcus Sang.
Matt Manahan led with three assists, White had two and Matsuo, Webster, Brodey, Rocco, David Parker, Lach Getz, Tait Mott, Trey Croddick and Ethan Chase all had one helper.
Hun goals were scored by Felix Turcotte, Aidan McDowell and Brian Nelson, who now has 11 goals and has scored in every Raider game. Matt Argentina had three assists for the Raiders with Nelson and Turcotte each getting one.
When Labbe opened the scoring putting home a rebound and then Turcotte answered just 16 seconds later, it looked like it might be a contest for all three periods.
“I’m proud of the way we came out in the second and third period,’’ said White. “We kept out play high. It’s important to take the penalty and not fight back and to be able to capitalize on them.’’
It was the perfect win for the Big Red heading into the biggest weekend of the season.
“It was good to keep the pace high going into the tournament,’’ said White. “We know we are going to be playing some really good teams.’’
If the performance against Hun is any indication it could be a special weekend for the Big Red.
Lawrenceville (4-1, 2-0 MAHL) 1 5 3 – 9 Hun (3-3, 0-2 MAHL) 1 1 1 – 3 Goals: L: Labbe 2, Rocco 2, Matsuo Brodey, Sang, Webster, Nesterenko. H: Nelson, Turcotte, McDowell. Assists: L Manahan 3, White 2, Parker, Matsuo, Getz, Mott, Rocco, Croddick, Webster, Chase. Shots: L: 54, H: 17. Saves: L: Semptimphelter 14, H: Cole 45.