Kaden Bohlsen scores for SSM Saturday
Shattuck Sinks their Teeth into Birds
Grant Silianoff scores for SSM Saturday
The Colorado Thunderbirds traveled east to face the tall task of playing the number one rated and undefeated Shattuck St. Mary's Bantams in Faribault for three games. Amassing a record of 27-0-2, the Sabres had a nine game winning streak dating back to October heading into the weekend. Experts have said that this may be the best Tier 1 Bantam team ever.
With the odds stacked against them, the Thunderbirds got rattled by Shattuck's speed and started giving up some costly early turnovers that the Sabres took advantage of. The first line of Nik Norman, Grant Silianoff and Griffin Streeter made a lot happen turning over a T Birds defenseman at his own blue line and converting a pretty one-timer feed from Norman to Silianoff for the game's first goal. With Streeter in the box later in the period, it was like the film Groundhog Day, this time Silianoff fed Norman and he punched it home short-handed to give SSM a 2-0 lead.
Nik Norman scores for SSM Saturday
Shattuck seemed one step faster and one play ahead of Colorado the whole game. But because of good goaltending and a well disciplined approach they still had hope heading into the second period. After peppering Colorado goalie for two periods, another Minnesota player found an opening to beat Gould to make it 3-0. Kaden Bohlsen got a loose puck in the slot and beat Gould high to give Shattuck an insurmountable lead with just over five minutes to go in the second.
Dominic Sandoval would score with a couple minutes to go for Colorado to close the lead to 3-1. That was as close as they would get the game, Shattuck was able to re-apply so much pressure back on the Birds that they didn't have a chance to pull Gould for an extra attacker.
In the second game of the day, Shattuck showed more of the same. Great skating, puck possession and elite skill to defeat Colorado 7-2. Up by just a goal after one, the Sabres exploded to three goals in the first three minutes of the second period to take a 5-1 lead, a lead the T Birds could not overcome.
Players to Watch
Robert Mastrosimone, SSM - besides the obvious front three of Silianoff, Norman and Streeter, Mastrosimone was a standout for the Sabres. The recent commit to Boston University show amazing skill with the puck and an uncanny balance with and without the puck. Listed at five foot seven and 135 pounds, Mastrosimone was rarely knocked from the puck or ever knocked down. He also delivers much harder and effective body checks than your average 135 pound player.
Drew Helleson, SSM - another Minnesota talent that showed great skill with the puck and complete control over the game in all three rinks. Helleson is the type of player that never seems out of control or under any pressure.
Cam York, SSM - one of the best defensemen we've seen at the U14 level this year. The freshman d-man from Anaheim Hills, CA has great speed and hands and is not afraid to mix it up when necessary. Many believe that if he is interested in division 1 hockey, he could be the next player on the Sabres to make a commitment to a high end college.
Robert Mastrosimone, SSM
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