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Photo credit: Dan Rosenstrauch

PeeWee Bears dominate Tri-Valley Blue Devils from start to finish

By Admin, 02/03/13, 3:00PM PST

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Bears win 6-1, avenging earlier January loss

The Bears were tough in all phases, with forwards, Jared Rafnson, Chris Berning, Zane Cardoza leading the charge to keep the puck in the offensive zone, and forwards Nolan Koziel, Mark Tsogbe, and Nick Pippen notable in their back and fore checking.  Forward Nathan Chin stickhandled his way past many defenders to create scoring chances and defenseman Justin Kim added a few rushes and shots to his normal solid defense play, including several break ups of what looked like sure shots for Tri-Valley.  

The Bears came out fast and scored three goals in the first period to take control 3-0.  Tri-Valley scored the loan goal of the second by putting a puck past Justin Leonard in a mad scramble in the crease.  It would be the only goal Justin surrendered in the game.  Oakland followed up with a three-goal 3rd period, including an empty net goal by defenseman Jordan Matawaran.

Defenseman Thurston Bailey opened the scoring and added another goal later in the first during a power play.  Center and Captain Dennis Franklin sent a pass from the circle up to Thurston who was able to one-time it toward the net where it skipped off a Tri-Valley stick and flew up over the goalies shoulder.  The Bears spent a lot of time in the offensive zone and used several passes, from Jordan to Dennis and then to center Andres Ascencio who wasted no time putting the puck past the goalie.

Tri-Valley came out with more jump in the second period and while they did keep the Bears off the scoreboard, they couldn't quite stop the onslaught of shots against.  Their loan goal came after a shot on goal bounced out but stayed in the middle of several players in the crease, and they were able to eventually get it into the net.

The third period saw the Bears focus and drive of the first two periods step up again as they put shot after shot on net.  Dennis scored two goals with the second set up by defenseman Eric Rodney stepping up to keep the puck inside the zone and making the pass to Dennis.  The Bears were also cheered on by back-up goalie Dayyan Ward, and forward Jimmy Williams who is out with a lower body injury.

The PeeWees put together a complete game, playing "Bears Hockey" by being first to the puck, passing to open up ice, peppering the goalie with shots, disruptive back checking and playing stingy defense including several timely saves.