Greece Athena/Odyssey 4, Fairport 0 (Thomas Creek Ice Arena)

Greece Athena/Odyssey 4, Fairport 0 (Thomas Creek Ice Arena)

D&C Staff Reports 12/02/08

Riley Bourbonnais scored two goals with an assist to lead Athena/Odyssey (3-0). Erik Gunderson had a goal and two assists for the Thunder, who outshot Fairport 23-20. After a scoreless first period, Greece took a 2-0 lead in the second period, then pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third. Matt Lane also scored for Greece. Mike Rotolo made 20 saves for the shutout. Richard Carlston made 19 saves for Fairport (0-1-1).

Wes Vyverberg Reports

Tues Dec 2nd Game Report

Thunder loaded up the bus on Tuesday, Dec 2nd for their first roadie of the season, a 5:30pm contest at Thomas Creek with the Fairport Red Raiders. IDK why they skipped the anthem, maybe it was due to budget cuts or could it be the large Fairport contingent was just anxious to get on with their spanking? Thunder seemed to lack focus in the first period, perhaps because they were jones'n for that road plate, or possibly because the stripes did not do a very good job of keeping things moving. But despite coming out flat in the first period, Thunder managed to edge Fairport 9-6 in the shot department, and certainly looked good donning their new uni's!

After 23 minutes of scoreless play, Thunder was finally on the board half-way through the second period. It was Eric Gunderson with a good keep at the blue line, lobbing the biscuit towards the basket, landing it in front of Carlston and watching as it one-hopped it's way in, 5-hole. Jeffrey Stenglein recorded the lone assist as he cleared the puck out front through the high slot where Gunda was able to retrieve it. Fast forward to the end of the second frame and Gunda put another shot on net, but this time there was a rebound and Riley Bourbonnais was on the scene to gather it before deftly sweeping it into the left side of the net with just 1.4 seconds to go in period. Thunder went to the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.

The Third Thunder Tally came four minnows into the 3rd and it was like deja-vu all over again with another 36-25 combination. This time it was Gunda clearing the puck out to neutral ice where Bourbs would knock it down and go on the attack, carrying it in wide left and then cutting across the crease to beat Carlston with the backhander, 3-0 Thunder. Thunder put a bow on it at the 6:54 mark, as Bourbonnais fed Stenglein who then brought the puck down the right side into the Fairport zone and slid it over to Matt Lane who was crashing the net, for the fourth and final goal of the evening. It was a pretty goal and a fine example of teamwork.

And so, Thunder keeps the streak alive, winning this one 4-0 and advancing their record to 3-0. Shots were 23-20 in favor of Thunder. Playing big, making 20 saves and posting a shut-out victory in this his first varsity start, first star of the game honors go to "the man behind the mask", Mike Rotolo. Second star is Riley Bourbonnais with 2G/1A for 3pts. Third star is Dan Vyverberg who was in his office blocking shots, clearing the front of the net, and taking charge defensively behind the scenes all nite long. Doan Collision goes to Jeffrey Stenglein for his center ice hit in the second period that stifled Fairport's attack.

Next up is Gates Chili, 7pm @ Genesee Valley, on Saturday, Dec 6. Be there, or be somewhere else missing all the heart-pounding action!