In a game that saw a staggering 46 shots on goal in the first period alone, the Force United outlasted the U18 Northern Lights in a back-and-forth 4-3 barnburner. The first period was an absolute frenzy of offense. Force United struck first at the 15:26 mark when #14 Myles Fikkert found the back of the net, assisted by #15 Gavin Cheng and #4 Kale Randa. However, the Northern Lights answered back in a big way. While shorthanded, #97 Wilson Lau broke free for a stunning shorthanded goal at 7:11, flipping the momentum. Just over a minute later, with time winding down in the period, #51 Isaac Angele restored Force United’s lead, again with help from Randa and #6 Grayson Yee, sending his team into the break with a 2-1 advantage.
The second period became a war of attrition, especially for Force United’s #70 Torin Gray. After receiving a high-sticking minor, Gray was later assessed a slashing major and a game ejection at the 2:49 mark, forcing the home team to play shorthanded and without a key player for the remainder of the contest. The Northern Lights capitalized on the ensuing power play when #33 Ethan Siemens scored at 7:38, tying the game at 2-2 with an assist from Wilson Lau. The period ended with the teams deadlocked, but the tension was palpable.
The third period delivered the drama fans had been waiting for. Gavin Cheng was the hero for Force United, scoring at 8:45 on an even-strength rush, with Yee and Myles Fikkert picking up assists. The Northern Lights refused to quit, responding just over two minutes later when #29 Bo Polak buried a chance from #22 James Ellard and #71 Warrick Mundt to knot the game at 3-3. With the game on the line, it was #50 Xavier Medeiros who played the role of hero, scoring the game-winning goal at 3:20 off a feed from #17 Joseph Fikkert. Despite a flurry of late penalties and a furious push from the Northern Lights, Force United’s defense held firm, securing the 4-3 victory. Goaltender #25 Zachary DiBerardino was stellar between the pipes, making crucial saves on all 21 shots he faced to earn the win.
U13 BRONCOS
