Sports National Pirates win thrillers in Provo Hockey League

THE Projetech Pirates won two thrilling encounters in the Junior Division of the Provo Hockey League (PHL) on Saturday last at the Graceway Sports Centre.

Against the Waratah Flyers, the game had initially looked like an easy win for the Pirates with Reggie Monuma and Wyatt Pollon teaming up to score the first four goals, but then the Flyers, led by Aiden Doherty, found their range and clawed their way back within a goal, 4-5 late in the opener.

Pollon however took control of the game as Doherty, who scored the first five goals for the Flyers, simmered down.

When Pollon netted his fifth goal at 14:30 in the second period, the Pirates were ahead 8-5, but Jacob Been brought some excitement very late in the second half. He scored two goals in 30 seconds, time however ran out.

Monuma finished with a pair and Isaac Turner with a goal for the winners.

Prior to that clash, the Pirates had defeated the Saunders and Co Greyhounds 5-4.

The Pirates again rushed to an early lead. With Pollon (twice) and

Joswin Jose scoring in the opening period for an early 3-0 lead.

In the second period, however, the Greyhounds’ Dylan King took over the game with three consecutive goals. During that time, Pollon had scored his third, but with time running down (14:48) Liam Redstone from a King’s assist drew the game even at 4-4.

The Pirates were not settling for a draw and Monuma via a Turner’s assist made the last successful play for the 5-4 win.

The Bantam Division had two low-scoring clashes with the

LHeureux Co Canadiens defeating the Kvanar Oilers 4-2.

Rishith Gururaja scored all four goals for the Canadiens, while the Oilers, who scored a goal in each period, were led by Jack Henry and Owen Barkworth Knight.

In the other Bantam Clash, the Tibors Sharks bounced back from a goal down to defeat the Temple Financial Panthers 3-2.

The Sharks were led by Alexie Gula, Emeric Gula and Adrien Penn, while the Panthers’ goals came from the sticks of Heath Francis and Aiden Bromley.

Both Novice Division clashes were drawn encounters. The Design Studio Jets and the Scooter Bobs Canucks finished 0-0, while the GBCR Islanders and the TMW Lightning finished 3-3.

The Lightning scored the opener via Shemar Francis before Oisin Ryan scored the other two goals to carry them 3-2 up late in the clash, Dylan Garland, who scored the opener for the Islanders, was however able to score his second at 14:58 in the second period to tie the game at 3-3.

The Islanders’ other goal came off the stick of Damian Rutherford.