Trojan Hockey: The Winning Streak Continues

The Trojans played two games over the Jan. 28-29 weekend, and added another four points to our growing win column. The team is working hard, and with playoffs right around the corner, these wins are just the momentum we need.

Homewood-Flossmoor (HF) came to Darien on Jan. 28 for a rematch. When we played them the first time in November, I described this game as “flat, but I did not recognize the team that played that night and the game ended in a 4-4 tie. The new and improved team showed up this time and, even with one of our skaters playing goalie, the team pulled out a win. 

Bryan Dirst scored the first goal off of a pass from Danny Dirst and an additional assist from mystery skater #88 (most likely #28, Danny Desmond). The Trojans scored 15 seconds later with a goal from Joe Sambucci, assisted by Bryan Roy. A goal from HF and a Trojan goal by Bryan Roy, unassisted, brought the first period to an end. 

HF took advantage of a power play to start the second period. The Trojans came back minutes later with their own power play goal scored by Joe Sambucci, assisted by Bryan Roy. Six seconds later, Kyle Millinowisch put one in the back of the net, assisted by Danny Desmond. The sixth and final Trojan goal was scored in the third period by Bryan Roy (unassisted). HF was able to convert one more power play into a goal to finish the game with a 6-3 Trojan win. 

Joe Paloian did a great job filling in for our regular goalie for the first two periods.  Our defense held HF to only 9 shots on goal during that time and Joe P. made 7 great saves. Then, Joey Stolfo closed out the third period for the win.

Sunday’s game was a highly anticipated matchup. Up to this point, Mt. Carmel had a hold on the first place spot in our division and the Trojans had just wrested second place from Leyden. In an evenly played game, the only goal scored in the first two periods came from the Trojans’ Bryan Roy, with an assist from Joe Paloian. The shots on goal and penalties were fairly even at this point. 

Then, in the third period, the Trojans dominated the ice. Joe Sambucci scored his first goal of the game, assisted by Danny Desmond. Sambucci then scored a few shifts later, assisted by Byron Graf. Mt. Carmel finally scored their first goal of
the game and at this point one of the referees decides to question whether or
not Bryan Roy’s helmet is USA hockey-approved. He determines that it is not and he cannot return to the ice with that helmet. Seriously? Now? With only six minutes left in the game? Wow. 

While a solution to the problem is being figured out, Mt. Carmel scores a second time. Now the Trojan’s lead has been cut to one. Mark Bryane’s helmet fits Bryan Roy and he graciously sacrifices the remainder of his ice time so that Bryan can finish out the game. Upon his return to the ice, Roy promptly scores, unassisted.  Joe Paloian puts one more puck past the goalie to end the game with a 5-2 win.

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Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trojans-Hockey-Club/348259135185137

The Trojan High School Hockey Club is a combined team consisting of players from five high schools: Lemont, Downers Grove North, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, and Lisle.  If you have any questions about our team, please email us at trojanhockey@hotmail.com.