Short roster runs out of fire in the third

[attach]1067[/attach]Two unanswered goals helped Sir Oliver Mowat Mustangs beat Northview Heights Phoenix 2-1 in Tier 1 senior boys hockey.

After taking a 1-0 lead into the second period Northview Heights wasn’t able to capitalize on the rest of their scoring opportunities.

But the Phoenix head coach Lvelvey Moro was pleased with how his squad played in the North/East Division battle, especially since they were missing five starters.

“Our guys played excellent,” he said. “We were in the game right up until the last five minutes. It was a shame they scored that goal.”

That goal was the second period equalizer with 6:42 remaining by Mowat’s Blake Ertel.

Then Korry Brand’s third period goal with 3:27 remaining secured a 2-1 victory.

Mustangs’ captain Dallas Ingram was pleased with the result, but knew the team has more work to do.

“We should have been more powerful throughout the game and we shouldn’t have had to do that,” he said. “But it was good to get some momentum going.”

Moro is optimistic about Northview’s future due to their 1-1-1 record.

“The season is going really well and we anticipate if we have a full squad we can continue to play well,” he said.

If Northview Heights is to have any success this campaign they will have to rely on their defence and goaltending.

“If our goalies can keep us in the game and keep the score down to give our offence the opportunity to score goals then we can be in the games,” said Moro. “We are carrying three goalies which is phenomenal and all three are capable players.”

The Phoenix plan of attack is simple.

“We try to tell the players to play five up and five back,” explained Moro. “We want to see the forwards hustle back and help on defence.”

It means a full 60 minutes of effort.

“Our team isn’t filled with a bunch of Triple A players, so I want to see them play with some passion over the next couple of games,” he said. “If they can do that then I would be thrilled.”