The Lawrence County Lightning Squirt Hockey Team Covert traveled to Cleveland this past weekend to play in the Rock and Roll Cleveland Cup Ice Hockey Tournament. The team is comprised of 16 kids from nine School Districts, four counties and two states. They play their home games at Hess Ice Rink in New Castle.
On Friday night the Lightning matched up against the Pittsburgh Predators, where the team fought through first period jitters en route to a 4-1 win.
Saturday morning, the Lightning faced off with the Southpointe Rink Rats. The Lightning struck quickly jumping out to a 3-1 first period lead. They would win this one 5-2.
Game Three matched them up against the Westmoreland Eagles. Early on, the game was very evenly matched. The game was tied 1-1 after the first period and remained tied until the Eagles scored in the second period. The Lightning would not respond with the game ending 6-1. This was the fourth time these two teams matched up this season with Westmoreland County taking all four games.
In the Squirt A Finals, they matched up again against the undefeated Westmoreland Eagles. The first period ended 0-0, and the two teams exchanged goals in the second with the period ending 1-1. The third period was scoreless with the game tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time. The game went to a four on four overtime period where both teams failed to capitalize on several chances.
The game was now headed to a best of five shootout. Angelo Fromm and Sean Carmichael both netted goals while backup goaltender Dalton Messner stood up to the task in net, only letting one puck past him. The Lightning won 2-1 in their first win over the Eagles this season.
Dalton Messner, who stepped in goal for a starting goalie who fell ill, was named the tournament MVP.
The Lightning’s Squirt PAHL season recently ended, though tryouts for next season are scheduled very soon. For more information on youth hockey in Lawrence County and on all of the Lightning teams visit lawrencecounty.goalline.ca.
Nicely written article! Thanks for recognizing a local team comprised of players from around Lawrence County and even a few from out of state and other counties. Your support of local kids doing well is greatly appreciated!