Coffman Rocks 5   Oxford Talawanda Braves 2

Game Summary - Dublin Coffman vs. Oxford Talawanda, Sunday, January 6,2008 - Chiller North

 

                                                                                                                                                            photo by Carol Anderson

1st Period
Coffman was up against the Regional 3rd ranked team in Oxford Talawanda Braves, while the two teams have clashed the past seasons the mid season game would have lots of battle and a good test for both sides. The Braves power forward Zach Phillips leads his team in scoring and as always would bring speed, finesse and his amazing class out on the ice. The Rocks turned their game up the night before after a 2 game dismal performance. Determined to get back on track was the order and that brought a physical side of the Rocks that was clearly present early. Rocks d-men Bowdy, Wall and Zacharias pounded Braves forwards early to set a different tone for the first 5 minutes. The game plan was paying off until a devastating hit by Wall put the Rocks down a man, the strange call gave the Braves the first advantage and they would regain some momentum. A Battle in the corner of the Rocks zone produced a strange bounce that sent the puck to the blue line where strong forward Ben Hoover awaits, Hoover unleashes a hard slap shot that beats Alex Rogers but the puck rings off the post, squirts to the open side right to Zach Phillips , who made no mistake, 1-0 Braves. 3 minutes later Andy O'Brien continues the physical play separating a Brave off the puck in the corner, grabs the loose puck and feeds Ryan Cohagen in the left circle, Cohagen wrist his shot and the puck beats net minder Dan Atkin under the left pad, 1-1. For the balance of the period the Rocks seem only focused on wearing down the Braves throwing hit after hit that seems to be taking a toll.  Rocks were out shot by the Braves 10-6.

2nd Period
The Rocks come out of the break more physical than the first and again the Rocks are penalized on what looked to be a hit that was simply too hard. The Braves again the majority of their shots in the period on the power play, Rogers is stopping everything thrown his way and looks sharper on this night, as the penalty ends the Braves get one more flurry and 4 seconds after the penalty ends, Ben Hoover who was strong all night sends a pass across the net to Braden Park, Park beats Rogers glove side and the hulking winger puts the Braves up 2-1. From that point of the game on the Rocks took over, intensity and speed started to take over and the Rocks put pressure on Atkins for the last 5 minutes of the period. With a face-off just right of Atkins, Anthony Rogers wins the draw back to Andy O'Brien, O'Brien walks to the top of the circle and drills a ;slap shot, Atkins makes the initial save on his left pad, but the rebound goes right to Rogers and he beats Atkins clean 2-2 after 2. Rocks were out shot by the Braves 9-5.

3rd Period
Phillips, Park and Hoover were outstanding thru 2 periods but the Rocks refused to back off the physical game plan, putting hit after hit on the 3 players. Early in the third that Rocks pressure produces as Jimmy Wall walks in and beats Atkins glove side but the puck rings off the cross bar, O'Brien picks up the puck and circles behind the net feeds Ridgway, Ridgway tips the puck to Rogers who wrist a shot off of Atkins pad, O'Brien awaits the rebound and lifts the puck under Atkins arm and the Rocks take the lead 3-2. Rocks go on the power play again halfway thru the period Evan Bowdy takes over, Bowdy rushes end to end with the puck, as he weaves over the Braves blue line, he breaks right thru the d-men and Atkins makes a spectacular save, again the rebound cost and Rogers buries the puck into an open net and the Rocks lead 4-2. Rocks are rolling again and they step up the game, Atkins makes several point blank saves to keep the game tight, with 2 minutes left the Rocks take another physical penalty, and the Braves pull the goalie for another extra attacker 6 on 4, but Andy O'Brien beats a Brave d-man to the puck and he's off to the races with the empty net, O'Brien deposits the puck into the net and the Rocks close out the game 5-2.

Rocks out shot the Braves 9-6 in the 3rd and were out shot 25-20 overall.

Rocks Highlights:
While the Rocks may have given up a few more shots in this game, but they did it knowing a commitment to intensity and physical style would pay off. The hit game produced loose pucks and turnovers and the Rocks scorers can score and score they did. Braves forward Zach Phillips showed leadership all night even to the extent of letting a teammate know what untimely penalties can cost, certainly one of the classiest players the Rocks have faced this season. The Rocks next see action Thursday January 10th, against Worthington Kilbourne Wolves, at 6:00 pm, Nationwide Arena. 

                                                                                                       by Randy Zacharias