Bulldog Icers Beat LCN 3-2 at Charity Game

Jan 30, 2012 by Lawrence Nimbach

Romeo’s Varsity Hockey Team skated with passion as they defeated L’Anse Creuse North at Friday night’s Children’s Cancer Benefit Game.  Ranked at the top of the MAC White Division, LCN kept Romeo scoreless in their last match-up, however, Friday’s game provided a better outcome for the Bulldogs.  Playing at home for a full house, Romeo came out early in the game with a goal scored by Cam Gillem assisted by Jacob Hoxsey and Adam Soboleski.  The Crusaders scored off a Romeo skate late in the first ending the period 1 to 1.

 

Brad Bidus continued Romeo’s scoring early in the second on a breakaway assisted by Trevor Tessmar and Hunter Jenuwine.  Despite numerous Bulldog penalties in the second, Romeo held the Crusaders to one goal and ended the period 2 to 2.

 

Bidus scored another goal in the 3rd period, once again assisted by Tessmar and Jenuwine.  LCN called a time-out with less them five minutes on the clock attempting to regroup and tie the game. Romeo goalie, Anthony Grifka, remained sold in goal and denied the Crusaders an overtime opportunity ending the game with a 3-2 Romeo win.

 

The team drew strength and inspiration as they not only skated for a cancer survivor, fighter, or victim of their choice, but collectively skated for fellow classmate Drew Pointe. Drew is currently fighting to win his battle with Burkitts Lymphoma.   At a time when your number one concern as a 16 year old should be “When will I get my drivers license?” and “Can I have the keys to the car for friday night’s game?” Drew is has to be concerned about much more critical issues like blood transfusions and having low white blood cell counts.  His strength and courage was felt by the whole team as each player wore his name on the arm of their dedication jersey.

 

Whether skating for a grandparent, aunt, friend, or classmate the boys credited their cancer honorees for Friday night’s win. Jacob Hoxsey said, “It’s the most pumped up we’ve been all year.  We skated hard the whole game.  We actually played the system the entire game and held our positions at all times.  It was about attitude.”  Hunter Jenuwine agreed and added, “The team came out strong in the first period. The coaches we’re telling us to keep our cool throughout the game.  We never got into a slump at any point in the game.”  Goalie Anthony Grifka felt especially inspired at friday night’s game as it was the first game his mother had been able to attend since suffering a heart attack on the day before Christmas.  Anthony skated in her honer as a cancer and heart attack survivor.  He said, “The atmosphere was different tonight.  With all the cancer survivors and their supporters here, it inspired us to win.  Everyone stuck to the game plan and played their positions.  It was a great team performance.”

 

Coach Minjoe was not only pleased with his team’s efforts on the ice, but the hard work put forth by the team’s Blue line Club and parents.  “It was a great night all around for Romeo Hockey. ” He felt it was the best full team effort this year.  “Hopefully this game will go a long way to show the boys just how good they can play when they put their minds to it.”

 

Romeo will participate in the MAC/OAA Showcase and the Public School Showcase in the beginning of February.  Their next regular season game is February 15th at the Troy Sports Center. There they take on the the Troy Colts at 6:30pm.