Coffman Rocks 7   Worthington Kilbourne Wolves 1

Game Summary - Dublin Coffman vs. Worthington Wolves, Thursday, January 10,2008 - Nationwide

 

                                                                                                                                                            photo by Carol Anderson

1st Period
Rocks hosted the Worthington Kilbourne Wolves in CHC play but this time in a new venue, Nationwide Arena. The Rocks came out strong to start the game and immediately went into an offensive push and just 33 seconds into the game Sam O'Brien hits Ryan Cohagen with a pass at the blue line Cohagen sends the puck to Andy O'Brien and O'Brien beats Merrill clean, 1-0 Rocks.  Rocks get sloppy for the next couple of minutes and it would cost them as Ambrosi gets a seemingly harmless shot in on Alex Rogers, Rogers goes to freeze the puck but somehow the puck squirts free from under his glove, Wolves captain, Petke, is left untouched and he bats the puck home to tie the score, 1-1. From that point on of the period the Rocks took control, with 8:32 left the Rocks are on a power play, Evan Bowdy at the right circle sends the puck high to Wall, Wall fakes a shot and slides the puck to Anthony Rogers at the left circle, Rogers wires a slap shot high, that beats Merrill over the shoulder, 2-1 Rocks. The game is starting to open up and Merrill is forced too make some big saves, the period ends with the Rocks leading, 2-1. Rocks out shot the Wolves 15-6.

2nd Period
The Rocks put early pressure on again and they have the Wolves scrambling, with shots coming from everyone, the Rocks send a flurry and at 3:27 Matt Smith gets a pass from Andy O'Brien at the point, Smith winds up and drills a shot from the point that huts a stick just in front of Merrill and the Rocks expand the lead to 3-1. For Smith his 1st Varsity goal. For the next 10 minutes Merrill is getting a workout, the Wolves are forced to take a penalty, and at the 2:25 mark, Sam O'Brien controls the puck on the left side of the rink, O'Brien sends a nifty pass thru some legs that leaves Matt Zacharias ready to uncork a shot, Zacharias' onetime beats Merrill short side high and the Rocks get their 2nd power play goal of the game, 4-1 Rocks. Rocks keep coming and with 55 seconds remaining in the period Ryan Cohagen poke checks a Wolves defenseman of the poke and walks across the front of the net and beats Merrill high with a backhand, 5-1 Rocks. Rocks out shot the Wolves 17-4.

3rd Period
The Rocks open the 3rd with a goaltender change as Colin Eberhart enters the game. The Wolves looked hungry after the last period and put pressure on the Rocks early, Petke wires to shots top shelf on Eberhart only to be denied with the big webbed glove. Seconds later the Wolves get two more quick shots but Eberhart's pads are to quick and the Rocks keep their lead. Looks like the Rocks may have been given a wakeup call and the next few minutes its all the Wolves can do to keep the Rocks off the board again, with 7:51 left Tyler Anderson skates in behind the Wolves net and puts a pass in front right onto Rogers tape, Rogers goes to the backhand and Merrill has no chance, beating him clean, 6-1 Rocks. 3 minutes later the Rocks are just off the power play and Rogers finds Chris Ridgway wide open in front, sends a pass across the net and Ridgway tips the puck home 7-1 Rocks. Rocks out shot the Wolves 14-5 in the 3rd and 46-15 overall.

Rocks Highlights:
While the lopsided affair had its moments of action for the Wolves, Eberhart came too play this night under the big dome and showed he is always ready to stand tall for the Rocks. Matt Smith with his 1st varsity goal looked strong all night, The Rocks next see action Saturday January 12th, vs Cincinnati St. Xavier Bombers, SWOHSHL, at 5:30 pm, Dublin Chiller. 

                                                                                                       by Randy Zacharias