BY: Eric Hudec, Howlings
Newington, CT – The CT Chiefs came from behind with a 5-goal second period to lead the Eastern Hockey League Premier team to a 6-1 victory over the visiting Union Jr. Thunder at Newington Arena on Sunday.
Going into the first intermission, the Chiefs trailed 1-0 after Hayden McGuigan took a Case Kolbusz feed and found the back of the net past the Chiefs’ starting netminder, Jordan Nicolucci (21 saves).
The message from Head Coach Jeremy Gerhardt was simple, “Stick with the plan,” he told his team during the first intermission. Gerhardt implored his team to find a goal early in the second period.
Michael Holland responded by ripping a shot past Thunder netminder Shawn Kline (34 saves) just 2:39 into the second frame.
CT CHIEFS SCORE QUICKLY TO TAKE CONTROL
The Chiefs then potted two goals, 1:05 apart, to break the game open.
At 9:45, Oliver Hertzberg sniped a point shot to give the Chiefs the lead, 2-1.
Co-captain Colin Hines stuffed a loose puck in front of the net to give the Chiefs a two-goal lead at 10:50 to make it 3-1, and the Chiefs never looked back.
Thunder Head Coach Sam Tafel responded by calling a timeout to quell the rising Chiefs’ momentum, but the boulder had begun to roll downhill.
“We got a good group of guys. A lot of talent. When we stick to the plan and stick to the way we normally skate, we will be ok,” Gerhardt stated on his team’s dominating performance.
Defenseman Grayden Iannello made it 4-1, netting his fourth goal of the season at 13:48 with helpers going to Andrew Gonzalez and Robert Toucher.
Chiefs’ leading goal scorer, Jordan Palacio, daggered the Thunder with just 48 seconds left in the second period when he picked off a cross-ice pass in the Thunder’s defensive zone and blasted it past Kline from the top of the circle to make it 5-1.
STRONG FINISH IN THE THIRD PERIOD
The Chiefs added another in the 3rd period with a shot from Jon Rioux and a tip in front from Rudolfs Jirgensons at 11:41. Chiefs outshot the Thunder 40-22.
“I think it’s a good stepping point to know that when we do stick to the systems and play a good team game, that we can score goals and continue to take that into the last 9 games and into playoffs,” Gerhardt said.
The contest between the two EHLP teams was central to a charity fundraising event to benefit the Connecticut Children’s Craniofacial Department. With donations still coming in, the event raised over $8,000.
