Bauer Invite Champs - Belle Tire
Nick McDougall scores Sunday for Belle Tire
Belle Tire came into the Bauer World Invite as an unknown property having only played 12 games. With a decent record and a nice cast of players, YHH classified the Tires as a "darkhorse." We were right, they had some horses - the kind of horses that doubled their win total and won the title Sunday in a convincing 4-0 win over crosstown rival Compuware for the title.
It didn't take long BT to establish control of the game. They played fast, winning puck battles and getting several early chances. Four minutes in Anthony Pinelli used his speed to get loose and scored from the slot to beat Compuware Goalie Ethan Hunsinger top shelf to give his a team they would never lose. The pressure continued the entire period, eventually late in the period Compuware got called for hooking. Belle took care of business establishing the zone and got pucks to the net. That is where Nick McDougall popped in the first of his two goals on the day.
In the second, Belle continued to pound the net outshooting Hunsinger with shots. McDougall would score his second to make it 3-0 and the game was basically over at that point. Both teams had played a lot of hockey over the weekend, a three goal lead was insurmountable at this stage. Playing out the string, Belle added another goal, this one by Belle big man Ryan Brow from the point chasing Hunsinger to start the third.
Brow and his defensive partners owned this game from the first shift. They kept Compuware forwards Michael Mancinelli and Alex Trombley in check, using their strong skating and strength to keep them on the perimeter.
Ryan Brow scores for Belle Tire Sunday
All Pics by Chris Pestel