The Lightning High School Hockey League (LHSHL) Overtime recaps all seven of Week Fourteen’s matchups, which also entails the Game of the Week between the Durant Cougars and Newsome Wolves. Additionally, there are two recorded postgame interviews from Jenkins goaltender, Cole Bonnano, and River Ridge forward Cody Atkinson.

DURANT-NEWSOME

Game of the Week

For the second straight week the Durant Cougars played in the LHSHL Game of the Week, but this time around the Cougars did not walk away with the victory. The Newsome Wolves extended their winning-streak to three games, after the Wolves defeated Durant by a final score of 5-1 on Friday night at the Brandon Ice Sports Forum (ISF). With the win, Newsome also improved its’ in-division record to 4-3-0; which is second best in the Modin Division.

Andrew Mankowski opened up the scoring during the first period for the Wolves, but the team scored a majority of its goals during the third period (3). So, a majority of this contest was a one-goal game throughout the night. The Wolves also received scoring help from Justin Walker (game-winning goal), Xander Pivovarnik and Jacob Lynch.

Speaking of Jacob’s, Wolves sophomore goaltender, Jacob Weaver, shut the door on Durant. Weaver recorded 19 saves on the 20 shots he faced. As of today, the Wolves find themselves just three points (8-10-1 –17pts) behind Durant for second place in the Modin Division with three games left to play.

As for Durant, the Cougars’ Eric Bowles was the team’s lone goal-scorer; which was assisted by Dylan Southern. Durant has four games left to play and two of which are in-division games. Newsome and Durant will face-off again on Friday, January 19th at ISF for a 9:45pm start.

WIREGRASS-JESUIT

The Wiregrass Ice Hawks must have the Jesuit Tigers’ number this season. Wiregrass is the only team to defeat the Jesuit Tigers twice this year. The two Andreychuk Division foes met at ISF on Friday night for the third and final meeting between the rivals, and Wiregrass won by a final score of 5-4. Carson Saunders started between the pipes and turned away 21 of the 25 shots Jesuit shot his way. To no surprise, Wiregrass’ Josey Davis recorded a hat trick – and, of course, Wiregrass won; when Davis records a hat trick, or more, in a contest the Hawks are now 4-0-3 – 11 points.

With the win, Wiregrass improved to 7-7-4 (18pts) on the year and still sits in second place for the division. Additionally, the Hawks received scoring help from Matthew McGovern and Rory Furlani.

PALM HARBOR-JENKINS

Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel played the role of host to two LHSHL games on Friday night. One of which was between two teams who were in need of getting back on track and collecting two points in the league standings. The George-Jenkins Eagles defeated the Palm Harbor Hurricanes in convincing fashion by a final score of 5-1. The Green and Gold took to the ice flying high, and hadn’t allowed Palm Harbor to record a shot on goal until midway through the first period. Eagles goaltender Cole Bonnano earned the victory between the pipes, as the sophomore netminder recorded over 20 saves in the “W.”

While Jenkins played a strong-oriented team game, defenseman Brennan McDonnell was a game-changer for this game in particular. McDonnell recorded the hat trick on the night and all three could have been considered highlight-reel goals, too. Additionally, Caylib Deapo and Shelby Burnett each chipped in assists on the night, plus Isaac Ison found his way into the Goal column.

MITCHELL-RIVER RIDGE

One of the more intriguing matchups on the night took place at FHCI and between a pair of Bradley Division rivals. For the first time this season the River Ridge Knights took down the Mitchell Mustangs and by a final score of 7-3. River Ridge newcomer, Jacob Schnapp, was a key difference maker in the Knights’ ninth win on the year. Schnapp scored two goals in the first period, and also added an assist on a beauty of a goal from Anthony Lioacano during the second period. 

A number of River Ridge skaters made their way onto the score sheet – including Dylan Hultberg, Zachary Killingbeck, Matthew Babcock and Cody Atkinson -- had a pair of goals, too. River Ridge goaltender Dylan McCarthy had a strong game in net for the Knights, and made a number of timely saves to help take down the former two-time defending LHSHL champions. River Ridge is now back in second place for the Bradley Division with three games left to play.

BLOOMINGDALE-BERKELEY

The Berkeley Buccaneers made things interesting, again. But this time around it was against the Bloomingdale Ice Bulls. While Bloomingdale eventually won by a final score of 7-4 at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy on this night, the game was tied 4-4 at one point during the third period.

Berkeley goaltender Heath Chancey faced at least 40 shots on the night, but his heroics were still not enough to pull off the upset against Andrew “Big Bull” Miranda and company. Berkeley did receive scoring help from James Horan, Justin Rudolph and Anuj Bhatia on the night, too.

As for Bloomingdale, Miranda had two goals on the night, and then both Ian Olekszak and Anthony Boromei found the back of the net as well. Yes, the Bulls did collect the two points on the table, but Bloomingdale is still currently sitting outside of the LHSHL playoff picture for the Modin Division (behind Newsome). Still, Bloomingdale has the most games left to play – with six games remaining on its schedule.

SEMINOLE-EAST LAKE

For the second time this season the East Lake Eagles shutout the Seminole Sharks, but this time the Eagles won by a score of 7-0. Eagles’ defenseman Evan Jones scored the game’s first four goals to collect the hat trick and number 12 for the Blue and White also chipped in a helper, too. East Lake’s MacCallum Brown, Demitri Samarkos and Zach Kelly found the back of the net to help the Eagles win their 15th game on the year. East Lake needs one more win (two points) to officially clinch the Bradley Division.

WEST MANATEE-EAST MANATEE

East Manatee Admirals goaltender Tyler Moschella and company the team’s eighth shutout on the season, after the Admirals defeated West Manatee by a score of 8-0 down in Ellenton on Friday night. East Manatee’s Peter Morgan recorded the hat trick and four other Admirals found the back of the net too – Mark Aldrich, Nevada Woodring, Patrick Kenefick and Cade Wessel. Additionally, East Manatee’s Nathan Bennett, Tyler Knight and Connor Nicholson all chipped in assists on the night.

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