Dec 26, 2011 | Dan Culbert | 399 views
Kelly and Curtin Lead 99ers To Big Win
Jamie Kelly fired the hat trick, and Connor Curtin backstopped the Contractors Rental Supply 99ers to a big upset of the second place St. Thomas Stars. Coming into the game the 15-3-2 Stars were supposed to roll over the 4-12-2 99ers and where the conversation overheard from the team personnel coming off the bus was "don't show them any mercy", the 99ers stunned the visitors scoring early and often to build up a lead and then hang on for the win, improving to 12 points and moving to within 2 of Stratford while handing the Stars their 4th loss.
Insert Curtin
The game didn't start with the pace either team wanted as there was a scheduling issues with the referees and none were at the game. Some phone calls and quick action by the scheduler, soon had people on the way but the game was delayed more than 30 mins starting after 9:00.
Kelly struck first on Brantford's first shot of the game, just 24 seconds in, as a neutral zone turn-over resulted in a quick strike goal with Kelly beating the Stars' goalie high to the glove side, as Andrew Lombardi and Tyler Schaeffer drew assists. The 99ers created another turnover on the next shift, as Brayden Hill beat the Stars' with another high shot and the home team was up 2-0 on just 2 shots and only 1:01 into the game. The St.Thomas coach pulled the goalie in an attempt to stem the tide, and for a moment it seemed to do the trick as St. Thomas gained the 99ers zone and fired a couple of shots at Curtin. However, it seemed to be the 99ers night as with just under 3 minutes to gone, Kelly took a pass from Schaeffer, split the defense, and then fired another goal over the glove of the second Stars goalie, while Brent Smolarz drew the second assist on the play as the 99ers had now scored on their first 3 shots. In attempting to make the save, the St. Thomas goalie fell backwards awkwardly and injured himself and had to be lifted from the game and replaced by the original starter. Brantford continued to skate with the Stars and were rewarded one more time before the period ended as Blaise Burtnick held the puck in at the line and then Larry Hill fed Jesse Stremler who again beat the visitor high over the glove with just under 6 minuets left to play. Brantford killed off two penalties to close out the period, including a short 5 on 3, while the Stars had killed off an earlier Brantford PP.
Both teams played well in the second period as the 99ers continued to match the Stars speed, and cause turnovers with an aggressive forecheck and Curtin made several good saves when needed as the 99ers killed of 3 more penalties, and maintained their 4-0 lead going into the break.
The home team was able to start the third on the PP due to a too many men on the ice penalty issued with only 9 seconds remaining in the 2nd, but had only 1 decent chance to increase the lead. As expected, when the Stars drew even, they began the push that was expected by a team 20 points up in the standings, but were slowed briefly by another penalty at 15:28. The 99ers were given a glorious opportunity to put the game away when the advantage turned into a short 5 on 3 at 13:45 but were ineffective in putting much pressure on and had only 1 average chance to score before their first penalty of the period nullified the advantage less than a minute later. The visitors used the extra ice to their advantage and returned to their all out press and this continued when they returned to full strength and had a short PP. The Brantford team then took their second of 7 third period penalties 25 seconds later although they killed this off, the Stars had all of the momentum and got on the board less than a minute after the teams were both back a full strength as a race for a loose puck lost in the neutral zone allowed a free entry in the zone and following some pressure, the puck found it's way behind Curtin. Brantford then found themselves down 5 on 3 with just under 4 minutes to go as a result of a double minor, and then an undisciplined penalty and it took only 23 seconds for the Stars to pull within 2 and remain on the 5 on 3. After Brantford called a time-out and attempted to not only settle the team down but rest the 3 remaining defensemen for a moment, the teams resumed play with the Stars pulling their goalie to take a 6 on 3 manpower advantage. The Stars remained in control and it took Curtin getting a glove on a piece of a blast from the point that ended up in the screen over the glass to get any break and change personnel. When the 99ers finally got a man back on the ice it still took a desperate effort by Stefan DeDominicis to clear a rebound from the open side of the net just as a Stars winger was set to cut the lead to one. Brantford finally killed off the last of the advantage and a few seconds later, Kelly iced the victory by finding the empty net and finishing off his hat trick. Another bad penalty as the puck crossed the line put the 99ers down again and although it was too little too late for the Stars to come back on this night, the issue of bad penalties, and selfish play continue to haunt the 99ers with the team once again taking more than double the penalty minutes of the opposition.
For the game the 99ers were 0-4 on the PP while the Stars were 1-10. Next up for the 99ers is the Pelham Silver Stick Tourney over the Christmas break before returning to league play in Jan.