Valvo shines again as Wildcats take Game 1 of Championship
March 25, 2016
NA3EHL Championship Finals, Game 1: Cape Cod Islanders 4 @ Jersey Shore Wildcats 5 (Jersey Shore leads best of 3 series, 2-1) - Jersey Shore survived a determined comeback attempt by Cape Cod on the way to a 5-4 win. The win gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the best of three series. Jersey Shore will try and go for the sweep and the Championship on Friday night in Game 2 in New Jersey.
A goal by John Rubin put Jersey Shore up 5-3 in the third period, but Cape Cod pulled to within one on Dan Moore's tally 19:53 into the third period. After the loss made the series score 1-0 in the best of three series, Cape Cod faces elimination next time out.
Travis Valvo had a great game for Jersey Shore, netting two goals. Valvo now has seven goals in his last three playoff games. Valvo scored at 9:38 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Cape Cod and again while 11:02 into the third to make the score 4-3 Jersey Shore.
Jersey Shore excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in four chances. Jersey Shore forced Cape Cod goalie Steven Schmitt to work between the pipes, taking 44 shots.
Jersey Shore also got points from Jared Karas, who also registered one goal and one assist and Rubin, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Jersey Shore also got a goal from Christian Cooley as well. In addition, Jersey Shore received assists from Frederic Ampleman, Bogdan Khvatov, Freddie Schaljo, and Dylan Plsek, who contributed one each and Zach Roth and Tyler Goclan, who each chipped in two.
Jersey Shore was unable to stop Cape Cod from sending pucks towards the net, and Cape Cod eventually piled up 46 shots on goal.
Cape Cod was helped by Eric Szeker, who tallied one goal. Szeker scored 13:37 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Cape Cod. Karl-Eric Demers picked up the assist. Cape Cod additionally got points from Moore, who also finished with one goal and one assist and Mike Jessman, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Maxime Dordet also scored for Cape Cod. More assists for Cape Cod came via Cam Tobey, who had two and Dylan Legarie and Chuck Costello, who contributed one each.
Scott Albertoni rejected 42 shots on goal for Jersey Shore. Jersey Shore incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Steven Schmitt made 39 saves for Cape Cod on 44 shots. Cape Cod incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.
