Game 2 of the best of 3 Illinois West Cup Finals between Waubonsie Valley and Maine Township. The Warriors took the 1st game in convincing fashion 6-1 and look to finish off the sweep.
Early in the 1st Maine heads in on the attack. Dylan Walker snaps a shot right into the glove of Justin Howard.
Scoreless with under 2 to play in the 1st. Jack Flood wins a battle for the puck and Alex Wilder hits Nate Kozari. The slap shot just squeaks past Caden Novak and the Warriors lead 1-0 at the end of the 1st
A few minutes into the 2nd, the Warriors look for some insurance. Will Naffziger skates around with the puck and sends it to Jack Flood and he pokes it past Novak and the Warriors are up 2-0.
Midway through the 2nd, a Maine penalty expires at the right time and that gives them a 2 on 0 break. Jimmy Nelles to Anthony Salemi fresh out of the box and his diving goal cuts the Warrior lead in half.
5 and a half to go in the 2nd and Maine has the momentum. Dylan Walker goes hard to the net. Howard makes the stop, but Charles Rutherford puts home the rebound and this game heads to the 3rd with 2’s across the scoreboard.
Early in the 3rd, Maine is gifted with a 5 on 3 power play for 1 minute and 30 seconds so the Warriors penalty kill goes to work. Maine is able to spread the puck out, but Zach Pearce plays aggressive and makes a pair of game saving clears to keep the game tied.
Staying on that 2 man advantage for Maine. They get more action on net. Nick Ronnel with a great look, but Justin Howard makes the save. The Warriors kill off both penalties unscathed.
Maine keeps up the fast play as they control the whole 3rd period. They get off on a fast break and Alec Andras drops it off for Walker, but not in Howard’s cage as he won’t concede that 3rd goal.
Shortly after Maine keeps up their relentless attack on Justin Howard. Mark Olszewski lets one go from the point, but once again Howard is there for the denial.
Less than 2 minutes to play in regulation and Maine is feverishly looking for the go ahead goal. Salemi gets a great look, but Howard sees it all the way and this game heads to a shootout.
Michael Alberts goes for the Warriors in the top of the 1st. He uses some nifty stick handling and goes 5 hole on Novak.
Top of the 2nd it’s Andrew McCoy. He goes out wide, comes back inside and makes a nice move to the forehand put the Warriors up 2-0.
Justin Howard stopped the 1st 3 Maine shooters which means Charles Rutherford must score to keep this game alive, but Howard shuts the door and the Waubonsie Valley sweeps the Illinois West Finals to take home the Cup for the 1st time since 2014. Now the Warriors turn their attention to the Blackhawk Cup.
