City League Hockey – Blues Take Championship

Casper, WY – In a rematch of last season’s championship game the Blues again are triumphant over Team Black 7-4.  League Commissioner Steve McGrath says, “What a fantastic league, after completely reforming the teams and an evenly matched season, the #3 seed goes 4-0 in the playoffs and beats the #2 seed to win the championship…with only four returning players from last year’s team”.

Going down 2-0 in the first period on quick shots by Team Black’s Jeremy Stoner (1 goal) and Mick Bondi (1 goal), the Blues scored twice in the final three minutes of the period to even the score with goals by Bud Sorenson (1 goal, 1 assist) and James Ewald (1 goal, 1 assist).

Taking the lead early in the second period Matt McPherson (1 goal) wristed a shot past Black goaltender Brittany Watson (23 saves) on a feed from Bud Sorenson who stole the puck behind the net.  Austin Lee (2 goals) then blasted the puck past defending champion goalie Zack Breed (25 saves) to give Team Black the lead with two goals in the period.

The third period belonged to the Blues.  Blu McGrath (1 goal, 1 assist) breaking in from the blue line used the defensemen as a screen and wristed a shot over the outstretched glove of Watson.  Tad True (1 goal) collected the game winner on a hard slapper from the right point and Sean Egan (1 goal) made a nifty breakaway move to score an insurance goal on a long pass behind the defense from Trent Carr (1 assist).   After tempers flared Nick Dillon and Kenny Ainsworth were sent to the penalty box and Nick Schilling closed out the scoring on an empty net with :08 seconds remaining.

Next up for Men’s hockey is the annual Red, White and Blue Tournament hosted by Casper Amateur Hockey Club (CAHC) April 8-10.  Interested hockey players can sign up at the ice arena.

Call 235-8484 for more information or check us out on the web at www.casperwy.gov.