"Let's go Braves!"

Bantam Gold (AA)
FINAL RECORD:  17-19-4
NIHL  Standings

3rd Place 2001 NIHL Bantam Gold "B" Tourney

Consolation Champions
Marathon County, Wisconsin Bantam Tourney

MOST RECENT GAME REPORT:

AHAI February 19, 2001 

Wilmette Bantam Gold Hockey’s season came to an inauspicious end Monday night as the Flames CSDL team posted a 7-1 spanking on the visiting Braves. Wilmette made a battle of the game early, enjoying an 8 to 4 shot advantage mid-way through the first period.  The Flames, however, were able to create a mini-break away to open the scoring and Wilmette simply could not recover.  Trailing 5-0 at the beginning of the 3^rd period, Wilmette pierced the doughnut when Alex Borre converted a rebound from Bob Stawicki’s shot to narrow the margin to 5-1. The Flames scored two meaningless goals to reach the final margin. 

Despite the goal difference, Wilmette played proud and hard, as they have done all season. Credit Rob Pulford and Steve Kelly’s wonderful leadership for supporting the players through good times and difficult times.  While the outcome of this game was less than satisfying, it did nothing to diminish a terrific season with a great group of players, coaches and families.

Winterhurst Tournament

For the first time since Thanksgiving, Wilmette Bantam Gold faced the daunting task of playing two games in one day.  Saturday afternoon brought Wilmette face to face with Bowling Green, a 6-4 victor the previous evening over North Chautauqua.  Facing a must-win situation, Wilmette broke open a 0-0 tie in the second period with a 3 goal flurry, including two power play tallies. Wilmette completely dominated play, outshooting their opponents 51-17.  But Wilmette was only able to control one period under the scoring system and the loss of a critical point would to haunt the Braves later. 

The evening match had Wilmette against North Chautauqua, with a Wilmette win putting the Braves into the championship game on Sunday, and a loss or tie resulting in an early bus departure.  In what was one of the finest games all season, Wilmette took a 1-0 lead with 6 minutes left in the 3^rd period on Michael Malstrom’s sprint down the left wing, leaving a sprawling Steeler defender and net-minder in his wake.  But Wilmette’s dreams of reaching the finals were vanquished when the Steelers knotted the score with only 3 minutes left. Wilmette ended in third place, despite all 4 teams having identical 1-1-1 records.  Nonetheless, the team deserves much credit for a wonderful effort in a very evenly matched tournament. 

February 16, 2001

Wilmette opened the Winterhurst Presidential Tournament with a match against the host team. Rested from a 6 hour bus ride on Thursday and inspired by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Wilmette came out quickly scoring in the second minute of play.  Winterhurst responded, but Wilmette again took the lead on a power play.  The penalty nemesis came back to haunt the visitors as two power play opportunities were converted by Winterhurst.  The score remained 3-2 Winterhurst into the third period.  Down a man with less than two minutes to go, Wilmette pulled its net-minder to find the equalizer, but, instead, gave up an empty net goal to seal the final margin at 4-2.

ROSTER

AHAI  February 11, 2001

It was hard to tell how Wilmette would respond to the challenge of their first AHAI state elimination game, on the heels of an exhausting double overtime victory in the NIHL playoffs that morning.  Apparently having its full of nail-biter games of late, Wilmette served notice early and often that it fully intended to go deep into the AHAI tournament this year.  The end result, a dominating 6-1 performance by the home team.  Wilmette jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, with 3 goals over a 6 minute span by Alex Robb, Bob Stawicki and Garrett Roth.  Barrington scored its only goal with 3 minutes left in the period and not did seriously threaten thereafter.  Second period goals by Rob Matthews and Garrett Roth and a third period goal by Mike Malstrom put the game well out of reach.  Wilmette’s dominance was further reflected in the shots’ disparity, with Wilmette outshooting Barrington 51 to 13.  Not wanting the season to end soon, Wilmette travels to Ohio for a week-end tournament at Winterhurst before locking horns with Flames CSDL on Monday in a second round AHAI tournament game.

NIHL Bantam Gold Consolation Game 

The character and heart of Wilmette Bantam Gold were on full display Saturday in the NIHL 3^rd place game against St. Jude at the Fox Valley Ice Arena.  Disappointed in their loss earlier in the week to Blues #2 which precluded Wilmette from a spot in the NIHL Championship Game, the importance of winning the third place quickly restored the team’s focus.  An unlucky turn-over early in the 1^st period allowed St. Jude to take a 1-0 lead.  The game quickly turned into a battle of the goal tenders, as Wilmette turned on the pressure and brought the play to the St. Jude end.  Greg Lazarus notched the equalizer in the second period, converting a pass from Garrett Roth.  The score remained tied through the 3^rd period and into the first of two 4 on 4 overtime periods.  Wilmette’s pressure finally prevailed with 2 minutes gone in the second overtime, Alex Georgeson converted a loose puck in a goal mouth scramble for the win and a well-deserved 3^rd place NIHL banner to grace the rafters of Wilmette Centennial.  The game was as close as the score indicated, credit goes to Bill Soder and the St. Jude netminder who both played exceptionally well. 

January 22, 2001 (Marathon County Tourn)

Seeking a respite from a long week of exams, Wilmette Bantam Gold went on the road last week-end to the Marathon County Bantam AA Tournament in Wausau, Wisconsin.  During the three days, the team played video games, spent countless hours in the hot tub and very nearly won the coveted organization hot dog consumption contest.  Jan Borre demonstrated her mastery of “Chuck-A-Puck for A Buck.”  Alan London greatly enhanced his daughter’s wardrobe, winning a one-size fits Hanna Blackhawks jersey.  Rob Matthews won the MIB (Most Improved Bowler) award. 

But enough about the parents… 

The tournament began on a slow note for Wilmette in Friday’s contest against Sun Prairie.  Perhaps as an indication that the hockey gods were not going to favor the boys in blue, Sun Prairie opened the scoring 2 minutes into the game by bouncing a centering pass from behind the Wilmette net off a defenseman and through Bill Soder’s legs.  The bus trip obviously took its toll on Wilmette who were unable to muster any offense, while Sun Prairie scored 3 more times through the 2^nd period to lead 4-0.  A timely intermission occurred as the ice was cleared between periods, giving Coach Rob Pulford plenty of time to have a quality locker room session with his team.  In what would be a turning point for the entire week-end, Wilmette came out with fire in their eyes and purpose, out shooting Sun Prairie 11-1.  Only a spectacular performance by the Sun Prairie net-minder kept the Wilmette team off the score-board as he was able to turn away scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity.  Mike Malstrom’s conversion of Josh London’s shot with 30 seconds left in the game finally rewarded Wilmette’s strong effort.  Wilmette fell 4-1, but learned much about themselves as a team in the process. 

Saturday morning saw a revitalized and confident Wilmette squad take on Southwest, who entered the tournament sporting an impressive 19-3 record.  This time, Wilmette started fast, with Alex Borre scoring his first goal of the season from the point with an assist from Josh London.  Garrett Rothe moved the margin to 2 goals 30 seconds later, converting passes from Travis Heitzinger and Robbie Matthews.  Southwest responded in the second period with 2 goals to tie the game.  But Mike Longhini, in a spectacular effort, carried the puck the length of the ice, with a defenseman draped all over him, and directed the puck to Robbie Matthews who put Wilmette back in front 3-2 at the end of the 2^nd period.  So, once again, Wilmette went to the intermission break to discuss with Coach Pulford the finer points of their play, and once again, the team responded.  In yet another spectacular effort, Bob Stawicki out-hustled a Southwest defenseman to increase the Wilmette lead to 4-2, just over 1 minute into the period.  Garrett Rothe’s second score 2 minutes later, assisted by Bob Stawicki, gave Wilmette some breathing room.  But Southwest would not go away quietly, scoring its third goal with an agonizing 4 minutes left to play.  Pulling their goalie, Southwest desperately tried to close the margin, but Josh London found himself with the puck alone in the offensive zone, eschewed the 90 foot slap-shot and skated the puck in for an unassisted empty net tally.  Final score, Wilmette 6 Southwest 3.  The key to the game was Bill Soder’s outstanding performance in net, as Wilmette was outshot 47 to 28.  

Sunday morning saw Wilmette take on the host Wausau team in the consolation final.  Like the first game, Wilmette found itself on the short end of a 2-0 score early in the second period.  But Wilmette was not to be denied and Wausau finally cracked under the blue squad’s relentless pressure.  Mike Longhini got Wilmette on the board, halving a 2-0 deficit, with an assist from Josh London.  Wilmette evened the score at the mid-way mark when Garrett Rothe put in his first tally, assisted by Robbie Matthews.  But a defensive lapse just 20 seconds allowed Wausau to score a break-away goal to regain the lead 3-2.  Again, as he has done so often during the season, Garrett Rothe came to the rescue to notch his second goal with 2 minutes left in the period, converting a pass from Michael Malstrom.  So, Wilmette entered the third period with a 3-3 tie and challenged by Coach Pulford to put out the effort as they had done in the two previous games.  Rothe took up the challenge with his hat trick score on an unassisted effort 4 minutes into the period.  Alex Robb, at the right place at the right time, converted Tim Sullivan’s shot from the point that hit iron 3 minutes later to increase the margin to 5-3 as Wilmette took clear control of the game.  Bob Stawicki’s score 1 minute later, assisted by Alex Borre, put the game out of reach and cemented Wilmette as consolation champion. 

All in all, a wonderful performance by the Wilmette squad during the week-end.  The team should be congratulated for its success and most importantly for incurring only 6 minutes in penalties over 135 minutes of play.  We want to thank the Marathon County Hockey Tournament organizers for their exceptional hospitality and courtesies extended to our team.  Congratulations are also in order for the Mite Silver team for their success in the tournament and their taking the time to help cheer the Bantams on.

January 14, 2001

Completing its pre-exams swing through the Western suburbs, Wilmette Bantam Gold paid a visit to the Cyclones’ home in Geneva.  Again, like yesterday’s game, the team came out hard early, but faded at the end to salvage another 4-4 tie.  Wilmette opened the scoring just 30 seconds into the game as Alex Robb poked a Garrett Rothe rebound through the Cyclones’ netminders’ 5 hole.   The Cyclones responded with their first tally with four minutes left in the first period.  Wilmette again started fast in the second period with 2 goals in the opening 2:30 minutes, scored by Garrett Rothe and Mike Longhini.  Wilmette seemed to have matters well in hand, until penalties began to give new life to the Cyclones.  The home team narrowed the margin to 3-2 with 2 minutes left in the period on its first power play goal.  But “Battleship” Bob Stawicki announced that he was rapidly regaining his form prior to his ankle injury by scoring a total effort goal while shorthanded. Again, the traveling Wilmette squad was unable to fend off the home team in the 3^rd period.  A power play goal for the Cyclones with 5 minutes left gave the home team new life.  Their efforts were rewarded with their 4 score on a 6 on 5 situation with 51 seconds left to play.  Despite the week-end’s disappointments, Wilmette has solidified its hold on 2^nd place in Tier 2.  After a week off for exams, Wilmette heads out to Wisconsin to regroup and build momentum for the upcoming NIHL tournament.   

January 13, 2001 

Bantam Gold went traveling to the far southwestern reaches of NIHL’s territory to meet the Vikings in Orland Park.  The good news was that Wilmette finally broke out of its two game scoring slump, lighting the lamp four times.  The bad news was that the Vikings matched Wilmette’s tallies, resulting in a 4-4 tie.  Josh London ended the scoring drought quickly, with a cannonading blast from the point 45 seconds into the first period on Wilmette’s first power play.  Wilmette worked the puck around the horn with Tim Sullivan and Garrett Rothe providing the passes to set up London.   The Wilmette power play struck again in the first period when Wilmette made the Vikings pay for an ill-mannered attempt to separate Garrett Rothe’s head from his neck during a line change.  Achieving pay back of the best kind, Rothe buried a shot in close to increase Wilmette’s lead to 2-0 at the end of the first period.  Alex Robb and Travis Heitzinger assisted on the score.  Wilmette increased the margin to 4-1 at the end of the second period, with the lone Vikings tally sandwiched between an unassisted goal by Rothe and Mike Longhini’s score, assisted by Greg Lazarus and Robb.  Unfortunately, the visitors could not hold back the Vikings attack in the 3^rd period, seeing unanswered scores tie the game.  To add further insult to injury, Garrett Rothe’s potential game winner with 2 minutes found nothing but iron and Alex Robb’s put back fluttered wide.  Tough outcome for a group of skaters that raised its effort substantially from the last two games.  

January 10, 2001

Wilmette Bantam Gold opened the new year with a home match against the NIHL Bantam Gold Tier 1 leaders, Blues #1.  Showing some rust from the winter break, Wilmette fell by a 4-0 count.   Bill Soder stood out again in goal, turning facing 34 shots against only 9 mustered by the home team.  The Blues #1 size and aggressive fore check effectively thwarted Wilmette’s offensive efforts.  

December 20, 2000 

Wilmette Bantam Gold concluded the 2000 portion of the 2000-2001 NIHL season on the short end of a 4-0 score against the Express.  The game was, in fact, closer than the score indicated as Wilmette held a significant shot advantage against the visitors and trailed only 1-0, going into the 3^rd period.  However, the Bantam Gold’s penalty nemesis continued to haunt the home team, as the Express scored its second tally early in the third period, capitalizing on a 5-3 power play advantage.  The remaining goals came on odd-man advantages as Wilmette pressed to throw more offense against the Express defense.  The game, however, did mark the return of Bob Stawicki from a 6 week IR hiatus.   Bob brought his usual high energy game to a team needing some fresh legs.   

December 16, 2000

Bill Soder wins player of the match honors with his outstanding performance in the net, turning away 35 shots.  Wilmette came from behind twice to earn a very important 2-2 tie against the Flames.  Flames, having earlier defeated a depleted Wilmette squad 5-1, came to Centennial with high expectations of an easy win.  The Bantam Gold squad utilized a modified “rope-a-dope” strategy in the first period, essentially enjoying the Flames skating ability from a safe distance, pausing only to congratulate Soder for each of his 13 near miraculous saves in the first period.  The Express net-minder, on the other hand, managed to turn away all of the 1 shot Wilmette could muster. Down 1-0 at the end of the first period, momentum began to turn Wilmette’s way as Mike Longhini jetted to a break-away goal with 3 minutes left in the second period to tie the score.  Alex Robb was credited with the assist.  Flames responded with only 46 seconds left in the period to take a 2-1 lead into the 3^rd period.  But Wilmette’s size and checking ability began to wear down the smaller Flames and the third period was all the Braves as the home team managed 13 shots against only 3 by the visitors.  With 4 minutes left in the period, Alex Georgeson converted passes from Rob Matthews and Mike Longhini to tie the score.  All in all, a very well earned point for the home team who adjusted well to the Flames’ style.  

December 14, 2000 

Team Jekyl and Hyde (aka Wilmette Bantam Gold) put on its game face on Thursday and produced a most satisfying season sweep of Glenview, with a 3-1 victory in Northbrook.  Wilmette’s domination was reflected in a 39-18 shot margin advantage plus at least 3 posts.   Nevertheless, the game was an uphill struggle for the visitors, who found themselves on the short end of a 1-0 score after a defensive turnover late in the 1^st period.  Wilmette finally capitalized on its relentless fore check when Alex Georgeson scored the equalizer with a minute to play in the second period, converting a fancy assist from Alex Robb.  “Lady Mo” swung Wilmette’s way early in the third period when Glenview ended up with two skaters in the box.  Mike Longhini tallied the eventual game winner, with an assist from Rob Matthews, barely one minute into the first penalty.  All five skaters touched the puck, which was routed around the perimeter to a wide open Longhini in the slot.  Less than a minute later, Tim Sullivan found the back of the net on the power play, assisted by Greg Lazarus to give the visitors some breathing room.  Wilmette continued to pressure Glenview thereafter, out shooting Glenview 12-3 in the period.  The defensive pairing of Alex Borre and Josh London were particularly effective in controlling the middle of the ice to thwart Glenview’s break-out. 

While an important victory, Wilmette left the Northbrook rink resembling the before shots for a M*A*S*H unit.  Hopefully, a full recovery will be enjoyed by all in time for a huge rematch against the Flames this Saturday.  

December 10, 2000 

Wilmette Bantam Gold played against the Chargers.  They scored 6 times, we didn’t.  Enough said.

December 6, 2000

To write that Wednesday’s match against Crystal Lake took on critical importance for the entire NIHL Wilmette Bantam Gold season would perhaps be viewed as hyperbolic license, but, in light of the team’s 5 game losing streak and next week’s schedule with 4 games over seven days, the need to produce a win certainly brought a heightened degree of urgency to this contest.  The outcome, a gritty 2-1 victory for the visiting Braves, re-established the team’s confidence and work ethic.  The victory was all the more satisfying coming against a Crystal Lake team that had defeated Wilmette earlier in the season and, itself, was desperate for a win to halt its own slide in Tier 1.  The win saw the resurgence of Mike Longhini as an effective offensive weapon, scoring Wilmette’s first goal midway through the 2^nd period on an unassisted break-away and then assisting on the game winner, scored by Alex Georgeson, also in the second period.  Both scores followed Crystal Lake’s tally on a 2^nd period power play.  Bill Soder was tested time and time again in his most effective game of the season, thwarting 31 shots versus only 19 mustered by Wilmette.  While the shot totals showed a significant advantage to Crystal Lake, in the crucial third period, Wilmette outshot the home squad 9-4, playing to win while protecting a one goal lead.   Longhini, Georgeson and Rob Matthews led the offensive effort.  While the course of the game wasn’t always pretty, the outcome was most satisfying and a credit to a great team effort.  

Congratulations are also in order to Josh London, Alex Robb, Bob Stawicki at New Trier and Greg Lazarus at Evanston Township High School who made the honor rolls at their respective schools in the first quarter.  We are all very proud of their academic and athletic accomplishments.  

December 2, 2000

“3 steps forward, 2 steps back” defines the Bantam Gold NIHL season so far.  Wilmette faced the Huskies on Saturday and fell short in a 2-1 contest.  Trailing 2-0 at the start of the 3^rd period, Wilmette got an energy boost from Garrett Rothe who scored on the first shift.  Greg Lazarus finally broke a season long scoring drought on the play, notching his first assist.  But despite repeated close calls from the home team, Huskies turned away all efforts to seal away a victory.  As punishment, the coaching staff insisted the team stay for the Lake Forest Academy Lady Caxys game which followed.  (And no, I don’t know what a Caxy is!)  

November 30, 2000

With the enthusiasm usually reserved for the fourth reprise of Thanksgiving dinner, a gallant but undermanned band of Bantam Gold skaters trudged out to Glen Ellyn to have battle with Tier 2 rivals, the Flames.  Despite a valiant effort, made even further difficult by Alex Georgeson’s “brush” from behind penalty in the second period, the visitors fell by a 5-1 margin.  Aside, again, from Bill Soder’s outstanding net-minding, Wilmette’s lone highlight was Mike Longhini’s rediscovering his scoring touch with a nice first period tally, assisted by the tireless Rob Matthews, to temporarily knot the score at 1.  Fatigue from a short bench, initially 9 skaters, reduced to 8 for a 12 minute period to permit Alex Georgeson to fully appreciate the architectural details of Center Ice of Du Page, took its toll on Wilmette who was never able to amount much of an offense during the contest.  Nevertheless, Wilmette’s Bantams gave a full effort and showed great character in a losing effort.  Alex Borre, Tim Sullivan and Bill Fairclough are to be saluted for their defensive play.   More importantly, an eagerly awaited rematch at the friendly confines of Wilmette Centennial Park brings the Flames back against hopefully a full roster of Wilmette players in mid-December.  That night will also be the first opportunity for you to purchase seat-licenses for the new Centennial Park pool facility so please come early.

November 19, 2000 

Wilmette Bantam Gold faced its first critical test of the season this weekend with back-to-back games against the Cyclones and St. Jude.  Riding the sturdy and steady shoulders of net-minder, Bill Soder, who allowed but one goal over the two games, Wilmette earned the maximum four points with a 3-0 shut-out of Cyclones, followed by a 3-1 road triumph over St. Jude.

Saturday’s game saw the first cold winds spread across the verdant fields of Lake Forest Academy, bringing an ill-tempered namesake in the form of the Cyclones.  With 14 penalties called during the game, both teams struggled to affect an offensive rhythm, until Alex Robb scored the eventual game-winner from close in with 5 minutes left in the first period.  Indicative of the style of play, the goal was set up by an aggressive forecheck and turnover forced by Garrett Rothe.  The second period went scoreless with each time recording 7 shots on goal.  The third period opened on a positive note for Wilmette when Garrett Rothe netted the second tally, assisted by Alex Georgeson.  Michael Malstrom’ s magnificent back-hand score on the power play with 4 minutes left to play, assisted by Bill Fairclough, brought out the fat lady as Wilmette looked to Bill Soder to complete his second shut-out of the season.

Sunday’s game saw a dominant performance by Rob “Noise” Matthews, who led his team with 2 goals and an assist in a 3-1 win over St. Jude.  Wilmette struggled through the 1^st period which ended without either team scoring.  But the otherwise stealthy Matthews let his presence be known in the house when he drilled a laser off a sweet pass from Garrett Rothe for a 1-0 Wilmette lead.  Nearly 3 minutes later, Matthews found another gear, beating the St. Jude defenseman to a loose puck and directing to an uncovered Alex Georgeson who made no mistake.  The second period finished with Wilmette leading 2-0.  Matthews saved his best move for last, though, when he broke out alone to chase down a rink-length pass from Michael Malstrom, beat the surprised St. Jude defenseman and finish the play leaving the St. Jude netminder swimming in his wake.  A St. Jude score with 2 minutes left broke Bill Soder’s shutout string, but did nothing to diminish a superlative performance in net. 

With the double victories, Wilmette Bantam Gold has restored its season’s record to 7-7-0, 6-5-0 in NIHL.  A great week-end of team effort and many contributions by Tim Sullivan, Travis Heitzinger, Mike Longhini, and Greg Lazarus enabled Bantam Gold to earn 4 critical points.  

November 12, 2000 

Inspired by the sartorial splendor of WHA League President Dennis O’Malley’s wearing Wilmette’s “colors” at Friday’s Blackhawks-Wild game, Wilmette Bantam Gold opened the NIHL 2000-2001 championship season with a satisfying 4-2 victory over Chicago Blues #2 Sunday evening at the Wilmette frozen pond.  The effort expended through 8 consecutive practices was apparent in a swarming fore-check that kept Blues #2 bottled up in their own end.  Wilmette was also able to effectively counter the Blues #2 aggressive defensemen pinching in with a much crisper break-out that demonstrated improved communication between the Wilmette forwards and defensemen. 

Garrett Rothe opened the scoring at the 6 minute mark of the first period, converting a close-in pass from Alex Robb.  Rothe, Robb and Greg Lazarus consistently forced the issue in the offensive zone, doing the little things to own the area behind the Blues #2 net.  Wilmette moved to a 3 goal advantage early in the second period, first on Garrett Rothe’s second goal on the first shift, assisted by Travis Heitzinger and Alex Georgeson.  30 seconds later, Alex Robb, playing Space Invader in front of the Blues #2 net, tipped an excellent low blast from Billy Fairclough.  Wilmette’s dominance of the second period was reflected in the 20 to 6 shot margin.   

Entering the third period with a 3-0 lead, Wilmette reverted to the Blues #2 style of play, deciding they wanted to dance with the visitors and abandoned the aggressive skating style which had served the Braves so well in the first two periods.  Two late period goals by the Blues #2 made the contest closer than it should have been.  However, Alex Robb’s second goal into an empty net with 7 seconds left brought out the fat lady and sealed a very important win.  Billy Soder also benefited from a better defensive effort, making 16 saves to record the victory.  

October 21, 2000

Offense sells tickets, but you win championships with defense.  The improving Bantam Gold team appears to espouse that vision, posting their second consecutive shut-out of the season against the Cyclones.  After a scoreless first period, Mike Longhini’s unassisted tally midway through the second period proved to be the winning goal.  Garrett Rothe’s unassisted third period goal accounted for the rest of the scoring and gave the home team’s parents a much needed bit of relief in an otherwise closely played game, resulting in 2-0 Wilmette win.   

But defense was the story this afternoon, first in the stellar goal-tending from Bill Soder, who turned away 20 shots.  Bill’s several highlight film stops, particularly in the 3^rd period, frustrated the Cyclones all afternoon.  The other defensive star goes to the penalty killers, who kept the visitors off the score sheet on 5 man advantage situations.   Team defense has improved significantly during the 8 game seeding round session and will give Wilmette the opportunity to make some serious headway during the regular NIHL season.

Bantam Gold finishes the seeding round 3-5, going 3-2 in its last 5 games.  The team looks forward to improving on that record during the regular season.  

10-15-00

Refreshed by three consecutive practices, Wilmette Bantam Gold traveled on Sunday to the newly refurbished Southwest Ice Arena to take on St. Jude.  Fueled by a typically nutritious pre-game meal of cheese sticks and nachos, the visitors used superior size, strength and effort to score a 2-0 win.  Alex Georgeson opened the scoring mid-way through the 1^st period, collecting a goal-mouth rebound.  Credit Bob Stawicki and Garrett Rothe with the assists.  3 minutes later, Michael Malstrom tallied the second score, converting a rebound from a strong Robbie Matthews single-handed effort.  From that point on, Wilmette turned the game over the strong net-minding efforts of Max Fifer who turned away 15 shots in preserving the team’s first shut-out of the season.  Max was particularly effective in shutting down several St. Jude attempts to stuff in the puck on goal mouth scrambles.  Unsung but notable heroes, include the entire defensive corps of Josh London, Bill Fairclough, Tim Sullivan and Travis Heitzinger who played well in defense of their net.  Wilmette’s penalty killing forwards, Mike Longhini, Alex Robb, Michael Malstrom and Bob Stawicki, kept St. Jude’s power plays largely bottled up in their defensive zone over the course of 4 Wilmette penalties.

9-23-00 

The newly renovated Lake Forest Academy ice arena became of House of Horrors for the Bantam Gold team in Saturday’s NIHL match against Blues #1.  Wilmette brought a new focus and energy to the game, which translated to 3 goals in the 1^st period.  Garrett Rothe scored the first of his two goals on a power play, converting assists from Josh London and Robbie Matthews.  Mike Longhini found the back of the net 2 minutes later, with Matthews and Bill Fairclough credited with the helpers.  Travis Heitzinger blasted a shot from the blue line with one minute left in the period for Wilmette’s third tally.  With Garrett Rothe’s second goal early in the second period, Wilmette pulled away to a 4-0 lead.  The Blues continued to press the offense and scored twice before the period ended to narrow the margin to 4-2.  In hindsight, the turning point of the game came on a Wilmette 5 on 3 power play in the 2^nd period when a Wilmette near break-away clanged off the post.  The third period, with Wilmette short two players due to injuries, saw momentum swing to the Blues who got 3 unanswered scores on the board.  The winning goal came with 8 seconds left and Wilmette desperately trying to defend a 5 on 3 penalty kill.  Bill Soder, in net, played a superb game and deserved, along with the rest of the team, a better outcome than a 5-4 loss.   

9-24-00 

Wilmette Bantam Gold went back to back in NIHL games, traveling to Darien for a Sunday match against the Huskies.  This match was a real test of team character, given the loss the day before against Blues #1.  While, again the outcome was disappointing, the Wilmette squad showed its mettle and character, in another tough 3-1 loss.  Garrett Rothe opened the scoring, early in the 1^st period, assisted by Michael Malstrom.  Huskies responded with two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead into the 2^nd period.  Wilmette put on a determined effort in the 2^nd period, outshooting a beleaguered Huskies squad 10-4, but was continually thwarted by the Huskies goaltender.  The Wilmette team continued the pressure in the 3^rd period and seemed to have finally been rewarded when Garrett Rothe’s laser dented the Huskies net and bounced out to the face-off circle.  Unfortunately, neither referee saw the shot go in.  Huskies scored the final tally on a breakaway late in the third period, while the Braves were taking all chances to tie the score (again!!!).  Max Fifer played his strongest game of the season, turning away 17 shots.