The line adjustments made by the Kent Roosevelt hockey coaches in the past week continued to pay dividends as the Rough Riders defeated league foe North Olmsted 3-1 Thursday night at Kent State Ice Arena.
The victory was the fifth consecutive win in a streak that began last Friday.
“We didn’t play our best,” said Roosevelt coach Ben Barlow. “But we played well enough to win tonight. This was the biggest of the five wins because league games are where it’s at.
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“Anytime we can beat North Olmsted, it’s a big win,” explained Barlow. “They play tough, physical, gritty hockey. (North Olmsted) Coach Murphy is one of the most respected coaches in the Cleveland area and his teams are always ready to play.”
The Riders opened the night’s scoring in the first period with a power-play goal scored by Senior Captain Tom Fisher at 6:16 of the first period. Alternate captains Bob Danner and Kyle Manning each assisted on the goal.
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In fact, Fisher (2 goals, 1 assist), Danner (1 goal, 1 assist) and Manning (2 assists) accounted for all the Rough Rider scoring credits for the evening.
“Big players make big plays when needed” Barlow said.
Beyond the performance of his players in leadership roles, Barlow also sighted good goal tending and timely goals as the keys to victory.
Roosevelt goalie sophomore Nate Grootegoed played well in the net again, stopping 17 of the 18 shots he faced.
The Riders scored the first three goals in the game and allowed the only North Olmsted goal, a short-handed goal by Alex Arendec, in the third period.
The Riders outshot the Eagles 24-18 on the night.
Blue line notes
The Rough Riders next game is Dec. 30 at 3:45 p.m. against Red South Division team Hudson.
Barlow said that the holiday break will be a nice time for the players to rest before they begin “Hudson Week” in preparation for the game on Friday.
The Rough Rider players were wearing "Roosevelt Hockey" stocking caps after the game, a holiday gift supplied by the Rough Rider Hockey Booster Club.
Scoring summary
1 2 3
KR 1 2 0
NO 0 0 1
1st PERIOD: 1) KR: Fisher, T. (Manning, Danner) PP 6:16
2nd PERIOD: 2) KR: Fisher, T. 7:34, 3) KR: Danner (Fisher, T., Manning) 2:46
3rd PERDIOD: 4) NO: Arendec (Schmitt) SH 11:10
SHOTS ON GOAL: KR: 24 NO: 18
SAVES:
KR: Grootegoed, 17
NO: Cullinan, 21