TPH comes together for 4-1 win over Huron-Perth
TPH Hockey kicked-off the tournament with a statement win over the Huron-Perth Lakers, besting the Alliance semi-finalists by a score of 4-1.
TPH would open the scoring just 1:26 in, with BARDOWN Player of the Game Niko Smilovic setting up Wyatt Sypniewski (1) on the breakaway. The hosts would proceed to kill off consecutive penalties to finish the opening frame, successfully defending their lead.
It was all TPH in the second period: defenceman Preston Otting (1) would make it 2-0 3:45 into the middle frame, picking the top corner on the man advantage.
“That was a beautiful shot – great snipe,” said Smilovic.
Minutes later, Smilovic, the 6-foot-3 forward, would make it 3-0 in the midst of a scramble out front.
TPH did well in the third to defend their lead and protect netminder Dylan Lee-Stack, who made 11 stops in the final frame. A late Lakers goal from Quinn Kipfer (1), 5:41 into the third, was shortly countered by TPH’s fourth tally of the night and Sammy Smith’s first of the tournament.
Despite not having the luxury of playing together all season, TPH demonstrated an ability to attack and defend as a unit. Smilovic sees this as the key if they are going to go far in the tournament.
“We haven’t been together that long,” he said.
“Communication and playing as a team will get us where we want to be.”
BARDOWN PLAYER OF THE GAME:
TPH – Niko Smilovic (F) – 1G, 1A
Lakers – Zachary Houben (F) – 1 SOG
