York Hockey Club’s varsity team defeated league rival Hinsdale Central 4-1 on Friday, October 9th. The game was played before a capacity crowd on “Spirit Night”. The victory improved York’s league record to 3-0-1.
“We showed our ability to dominate an opponent by utilizing good puck movement, offensive pressure and a very active forecheck,” said York Coach Bruce Turpin. “In addition, we took advantage of our strong group of defensemen that all have very heavy shots and the ability to join the rush to help us create offensive opportunities.”
The Dukes started the scoring in the first period when senior Grey Miller delivered the game’s first goal on assists by senior Frank Wheatland and junior Michael Rouzer. A minute later, York defensemen Tom Sieracki, senior, and Rouzer took control of the power play and moved the puck with ease around the Red Devil defense until freshman Aiden Mann scored on a wrist shot from the slot to double the Duke lead before the intermission.
York came out strong in the second period when Nick Lee, junior, passed the puck to senior Cam Dobrotka on the point. Dobrotka ripped a slap shot that the Hinsdale Central goalie block, but junior Jack Redick lit the lamp with the rebound goal to give the Dukes a 3-0 lead.
In the third period Hinsdale was able to take advantage of a York turn over and scored to make it 3-1 but York came storming back when Rouzer scored a goal on assists by freshman Billy Paschen and senior Joe Levin.
Senior goalie Jack Buckley made 18 saves to preserve the victory over the Red Devils.
Addison Ice Arena was clad in green, black and pink streamers for the game and posters adorned the walls as York Hockey Club hosted its “Spirit Night” in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Many of the players dedicated the game to friends and loved ones that have battled the disease and the large crowd wore York Hockey Cancer Awareness t-shirts.
“It was great to have so many people in the stands cheering us on,” said Lee. “We were playing for a little bit more tonight and it showed.”