Overtime Goal Leaves Greendale Hockey Feeling Cold

The Greendale Ice Force hockey team nearly stole a win on Saturday night against the Kenosha Thunder. 

Despite being badly outshot, the Ice Force took a 1-0 lead late into the third period, however the Thunder managed to tie the game and force overtime.  A giveaway in their own zone led to an odd man rush where Cody Schatzman pounced on a rebound and knocked the past puck Ice Force goaltender Trevor Kennedy to take a 2-1 victory at the Wilson Park Ice arena. The loss left Greendale at 1-6 on the season. 

"It was a tough loss, we deserved a better fate," said Ice Force coach John Kennedy.  "The kids worked really hard and I was impressed with most of the kids.  We're going to need that effort every night to be able to compete.  Any loss is disappointing."

The first period found the puck mostly in the Ice Force's own end as they were out shot 11-1.  The Thunder had some decent scoring chances, but Trevor Kennedy managed to keep the game scoreless. Oddly enough the only shot on goal the Ice Force had came on a shorthanded breakaway.

The second period was more balanced and competitive as both teams controlled the puck evenly.  Greendale's Zach Robb nearly converted on a breakaway when he stole the puck in the neutral zone and skated in alone on Kenosha's Nic Wise. Robb's shot beat Wise on the glove side but rang off the post and kept the game scoreless. 

Late in the second period, Greendale capitalized on a faceoff to notch the game's first goal.  There was a faceoff in the Kenosha end, but a late substitution caused Thunder center Bruce Pryse to be tossed out of the faceoff.  Steven LaScola, who is not as experienced at taking faceoffs stepped in, but was beaten cleanly by Greendale's Jake Hardin.  Hardin drew the puck back to defenceman Brennen Fosnow at the point, who let fly with a slapshot.  Kyle Hoffman was planted just in front of the net and skillfully tipped the puck past Nic Wise to give the Ice Force a 1-0 lead.

Another highlight of the second period was the beautiful open ice hit by Greendale's Josh Jesko.  Jesko laid his shoulder into Kenosha's Brandon Dorsey at the top of the circle.

The Greendale lead held up into the third period until only 3:44 remained in regulation.  Kenosha was able to tie the game on a great two man rush by Alex Buban and Dustin Day. Day came down the right wing side and slid the puck over to Buban who slid the puck past Kennedy.

The overtime period created the most excitement as just one minute in Greendale's Brennen Fosnow was called for tripping.  Kenosha coach J R Litkey argued for a penalty shot.  His pleas only drew the ire and a warning from the referee and play went on.

Finally at the 4:33 mark of overtime Kenosha's Cody Schatzman picked up a loose puck on a rebounded shot from Alex Buban and banged the puck past Kennedy to escape with a 2-1 victory.

"We didn't so much as steal one as we beat ourselves out there tonight," explained Kenosha coach Litkey.  "We've played a lot better hockey so far this year and a lot better teams.  Nothing against taking away from Greendale, but we kind of beat ourselves out there tonight."

Kenosha dominated the shot chart, out shooting Greendale 43-16. Greendale goalie Trevor Kennedy held up well under the barrage of shots, recording 41 saves. Kenosha's Wise made 15 saves. 

Greendale coach Kennedy, though disappointed, said he felt his team played well enough to win despite the shot margin.

"We just turned the puck over in the neutral zone when we should have had it down in there end and didn't cover on the rebound," Kennedy said.  "The goalie made the initial stop and then there was a rebound and we just didn't cover the high guy in the slot.  We were bending and not breaking and we're a very young team and sometimes we just have to control our own end.  If we control that and if we get a break we can stay close."

Greendale's next game is on Dec. 17 at 7:45 p.m.  The game is against Catholic Memorial at the Eble Park Ice Arena, 19400 West Bluemound Road in Brookfield.