Pinedale Midgets win 2 in Cheyenne
by Craig Sheppard
December 12, 2005
Last weekend, the Pinedale High School age hockey team traveled to Cheyenne and played three more games on their WAHL schedule. They were to play host Cheyenne, defending state champion Sheridan, and then Casper. This was going to be a tough weekend.
They opened up early Saturday morning against undefeated Cheyenne. The coaches did not know how Pinedale was going to react to a 6AM game and decided to practice them back in Pinedale at that time last Wednesday. It paid off for Preston Schwab who opened up with a goal only 35 seconds into the game, assisted by Jeremiah Silvey. Four minutes later, Cheyenne tied the game up but once again Preston Schwab sunk the puck in the Cheyenne goal to put the Glaciers up by one goal going into the second period.
Halfway through the second period Cheyenne scored a power play goal to tie the game again. Then it was Pinedale’s turn to score a power play goal. Drew Guenthner buried the puck to put Pinedale up by one goal once again. Cheyenne didn’t give up and tied the score early in the third period, and it stayed that way until near the end of the game when Pinedale took a minor penalty for tripping. Pinedale was down by one player, the score was tied and it didn’t look good for the short-handed Glaciers until Nate Olsen broke away with the puck and put the shot on net. Captain Joe Pearce banged in the rebound to win the game. John Stach in goal had 34 saves during the game.
Next up that day was defending state champions Sheridan. Pinedale played their best period of hockey so far this year during the first period. Jake Hunt put Pinedale on the board first with an unassisted goal and that is how the first period ended, Pinedale 1 – Sheridan 0. The next period Sheridan took control of the game and scored three unanswered goals to go up 3 to 1.
The final period saw Pinedale getting back on track and playing Sheridan even except for 1 goal. The final score was Sheridan 4 - Pinedale 1. After the game Pinedale found out that was the closest anyone has played them so far this year. John Stach in goal had to face 45 shots from Sheridan during this game. Pinedale plays Sheridan again in Cody this coming weekend and hope to rebound from their only loss so far this season.
The final game of the weekend was against the Casper Oilers. This game was filled with penalties (11), so most of the game was played by special teams. Pinedale’s Drew Guenthner scored first, assisted by Jeremiah Silvey. Then the same duo, plus Preston Schwab, teamed up to score the game-winning goal. Casper made it interesting when they scored on a wrap around to put them within 1 goal of Pinedale before Drew Guenthner scored a short-handed goal (hat trick), assisted by Jeremiah Silvey (playmaker). This was Pinedale’s second short-handed goal of the weekend. Finishing up the scoring was Jeremy Silvey goal assisted by Lincoln Proud, and Nate Olsen goal assisted by Joe Pearce. Final score was Pinedale 5 – Casper 1. Chris Manning in net for first time this year made 13 saves on 14 shots to secure the win.
Pinedale secured four more points out of possible 6 this weekend to help get themselves propelled into the state playoffs. Their WAHL record now extends to three wins – 1 tie and 1 loss. The Midget High School B State Tournament will again be held in Pinedale this year.
This next weekend the team travels to Cody for games against Sheridan, Gillette and Cody.
Related Links:
Pinedale Hockey Association
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