Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
On Wednesday, February 11th, the Soo U16 Greyhounds took on the second-place Soo U18 Greyhounds in GNU18HL action at the John Rhodes Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. The matchup showcased the depth and special-teams strength of the U18 squad, as they pulled away in the final two periods to earn a 7–0 victory.
The opening period remained scoreless, with both teams trading chances and goaltenders holding firm. The game opened up in the second period, where the U18 Greyhounds struck first at 7:54 on the power play. Andrew Aikens opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the season, assisted by Nico Bossio and Espen Escasa. The man advantage continued to pay dividends at 10:46, as Espen Escasa notched his 34th goal of the season, set up by Frankie Reda and Aikens, to make it 2–0.
Still on the power play at 13:20, Finlay Escasa extended the lead to 3–0 with his 15th of the season, assisted by Nathan Dupuis. Late in the period at 18:12, the U18 Greyhounds added another even-strength marker when Makks Demidovich scored his 15th of the year, with helpers from Anthony Spironello and Espen Escasa, sending the teams into the intermission with a 4–0 advantage for the U18s.
The U18 Greyhounds continued their offensive push early in the third period. At 1:17, Finlay Escasa recorded his second goal of the game and 16th of the season, assisted by Espen Escasa and Aiden Giovanatti. The lead grew to 6–0 at 6:32 when Anthony Spironello tallied his ninth of the season, with assists from Hunter Thorkilson and Andrew Aikens. The scoring was capped at 12:00 as Nico Bossio fired home his 23rd goal of the campaign, assisted by Makks Demidovich and Frankie Reda.
In goal, Sebastien Brassard was solid between the pipes for the U18 Greyhounds, turning aside every shot he faced to earn his third shutout of the season. Ethan Brewer handled goaltending duties for the U16 Greyhounds.
The U18 Greyhounds will return to action on Saturday, February 14th, opening a back-to-back GNU18HL weekend against the visiting Sudbury U18 Wolves with a 2:30 p.m. puck drop. Meanwhile, the U16 Greyhounds will be back on the ice on February 21st at the Rankin Arena for a 7:30 p.m. start against the North Bay U16 Trappers.
