Jonathon Brodie – Recorder & Times
Brockville Braves coach Jesse Winchester has been impressed with his team’s last three games, all of which they’ve won and have outscored their opponents 14-6.
Their latest victory — despite being the slimmest margin of the three wins — was easily their best and most complete of their streak, beating the Cornwall Colts 2-1 in overtime on Friday at the Memorial Centre.
Braves Tyson Kirkby added the finishing touch for the Braves with a breakaway goal three minutes into overtime and just seconds after the Colts had a breakaway chance of their own that went wide of the net.
“The way we played tonight is the way we are capable of playing and the way that we want to play,” said Winchester. “We’ve had three pretty good games in a row now with consistent effort.”
When Brockville is at their best they’re fast and aggressive. They get a high amount of shots and jump on every opportunity that comes their way instead of waiting for the perfect moment, while also limiting the shots against them.
That’s exactly what the Braves did Friday, picking up 15 shots in each period of regulation. The Colts earned just eight and three shots in the first and third periods, respectively. By game’s end the Braves out-shot the Colts 47-24.
Brockville’s compete and effort level, two attributes Winchester talks about in post-game interviews on a regular basis, were consistent throughout Friday’s game.
Braves Philippe Gilmour scored his team-high 14th goal of the season in the first period, but in the third frame Brockville put things in another gear.
In the third period the Braves did everything they could to stay out of overtime, but ran into Colts backup Michael Carr, who played more like a starter.
Eric Holland got behind Cornwall’s defence, but couldn’t get the puck by the goalie’s glove.
Jonathan Hill floated a pass through the crease that just missed Jordi Jefferson’s stick.
Kirkby flew in from the wing and backhanded a shot into Carr’s pads. Nicholas Hawkins had an opportunity with a backhand of his own that was saved.
Nicolas Vlahos ripped a shot on an odd-man rush, hoping either MacArthur or Jefferson would collect the rebound but neither could beat Carr to the loose puck.
A shot bounced high in the air and looked to be going in behind Carr, but was swatted away by Colts Alexander Monteleone.
“I think they were having fun (in the third period),” said Winchester about his team. “It’s fun when you have the puck and it’s fun playing offence.”
Friday’s game was another recent sign that Brockville is trending in the right direction. After being mediocre for most of October the Braves seem to be heating up in November.
They’ll need to stay hot for their next matchup as they get set to take on No. 2 Ottawa Jr. Senators next Friday at the Memorial Centre.
“If we bring that effort consistently we’re a pretty good hockey team. It’s about striving for that compete-level,” said Winchester. “You don’t win every game, but if you play like that we’ll be a good team.”
Original Story at Recorder.ca
