This Friday, December 18th, the Patriot's varsity squad entered Twin Ponds East to face their bitter rival, the Cedar Cliff Colts. Just off a 3-2 win over Wilson, the Patriots hoped to continue their three game winning streak against the Colts' top line off Bryan Albright, Mark Ottenberg, and Dane Harbold who have compiled 67 of 78 points for their team. The matchup of the Patriots first line of Joby Kowalczyk, Corey Fink, and Cameron Norman, who have only scored 14 of the Patriots' 33 points, wasn't even. Although John Geesey lead the team with 5 points, and all but 3 players on the 14-man roster are pointless, the point sheet still puts Red Land at having less than half the points of their District rivals. But when you put these two teams together, anything can happen.
The plan was simple, shut down their first line, and capitalize on chances. Down early to two CC goals, the Patriots battled back and scored two of their own and the second period ended with the score tied 2-2. The third period was full of chances for both teams. The Colt's were awarded a few powerplays and the Patriots broke free for a few odd man rushes. Neither team was able to score. In the last minute of play, RL went shorthanded and battled hard to prevent their opposition from scoring. At the 8 second mark, Joby Kowalczyk broke free for a breakway and wasn't able to capitalize. The game ended and after a long, and hard faught game, both teams came up with a point in a 2-2 tie.
Red Land received their 9th point of the year and secured their fourth place spot in Tier I. The game was even in another way, with the shot count being even at 28. Goaltender Will Ott recorded a .933 save percentage and improves his overall Sv.% to .882. They take on CD on Monday and hope to get the two points to put them infront of CD to take their place in third.
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