Sunday, November 15, 2009
SPRINGDALE — The Northwest Arkansas Jr. Ice Hogs varsity hockey team got their season off to a fast start with a home sweep of the Kansas City Stars last week.
The Ice Hogs claimed 3-1 and 5-3 wins over the Stars at the Joel Carver Ice Arena at the Jones Center on Nov. 7.
In the first game, the Hogs opened the scoring with an early first period goal by Rogers native Trent Lamers. The Stars tied the score 1-1 early in the second before Sy Kirby gave the Hogs the lead for good with a goal late in the second period.
The defense held in the third as Kyle Sullivan clinched the game with an open net goal with 45 seconds remaining.
Solid physical and defensive play from Chase Lamers and Dylan Samples helped the Jr. Ice Hogs maintain their lead. Brandon Pohl turned away 19 shots in a solid performance in the net for the Hogs.
On Nov. 8, the NWA squad opened the scoring early in the first period with goal by Bentonville’s Sullivan on a feed from Adam Kerenblat. The Stars responded with their first goal of the day 3 minutes later. The tie game was short-lived as Sullivan found Zack Riley in the slot to put the Jr. Ice Hogs up 2-1. Just before the end of the first period, Sullivan scored his second goal of the day on a pass from Riley for a 3-1 lead.
NWA held its advantage behind the defense of Rogers natives Chase Lamers and Jeremiah Fleeman and Bentonville’s Sample. The Stars closed to within 3-2 in the third, but Kirby responded for the Jr. Ice Hogs scoring on a feed from Craig Salvatore to go up 4-2.
Kansas City scored a controversial goal to pull within 4-3, but Sullivan completed a hat trick on an unassisted goal off a face-off.
In junior varsity action, the Jr. Ice Hogs split their two-game series with the Stars. The Hogs won on Saturday 6-4 as Trent Lamers led the way with a hat trick. On Sunday, the Jr. Ice Hogs fell to the Stars 4-2. Garrett Williams had 23 saves in the net for the Hogs, with Trent Lamers and Cole Sullivan scoring. Shelby Good and Adam Korenblat had assists. Solid play was turned in by Will Smith, Drew Robinson and Alex Miller.