Lewiston, ME- The Mustangs would only travel about five minutes to face Bates College on what would end up being a close game all the way until the third period. The Mustangs created lots of scoring changes but were unable to put Bates away early.'' We practice a lot on gaining the middle of the ice and get higher quality shots from the slot; I felt like we didn't shoot with a purpose all the time and that's something we will have to keep improving on'' Said Coach Knoren''. The Mustangs would end up taking a 2-1 lead in to the locker-room after the first period.
The second period was back and forth but it was the Mustangs who would go up 3-1. The visitors would create plenty of zone pressure and quality opportunities but were unable to find the next one. '' It is a big difference if the game goes 4-1 or 3-2, when you have opportunities to grab a convincing lead you must take it'' Said Coach Knoren''. As it often goes in hockey, the Bobcats found some life and scored the 3-2 to send the teams in the locker-room for the second period with a one goal difference. '' We told our guys you have to convert especially the way the ranking works, there is the win -loss but also a goal differential ranking as well. "said the coaching staff''
The Mustangs took this to heart and exploded to put 5 goals on the board in the third period making the final 8-2 Mustangs. Mustang netminder Noah Bird kept his net clean. '' It wasn't pretty but the guys responded and battled through lots of adversity and we got the max points out of tonight that we could establish for the rankings; we have lots of guys hurt in the line-up but it was other guys who stepped up and provided a much-needed win'' said Coach Knoren''
Mustangs goal scorers: Jonah Bird 3x - Clayton Hussey 2x - Cody Ivey- Crewz Berry- Spencer BerubeMustangs assist: Nate Marcotte- Zack Mendourakos- Spencer Berube- Cody Ivey- Riley Lavoie- River Yearwood- Noah Buiniskas
We needed Secondary scoring and we got it back time tonight. One of those guys is Clayton Hussey who got moved from defense to offense because of injury problems. '' Clayton is the type of guys who doesn't complain and plays where we need him and tonight, he got rewarded with his first 2 college goals, much deserved! '' Said Coach Knoren''. Another top contributor was Jonah Bird with a hat-trick. Jonah can play up and down the line-up as well but tonight he provided the Mustangs with the goal-scoring that was needed.
The Mustangs will be back in action on Friday@ NSBA arena against Colby College. (6.30 p.m. puck drop)
We look forward to seeing the great Mustangs crowd in the stands again!
