Canfield is 'flat,' but wins

Chad Fischer, Nick Manos and Will Jensen scored for the Cardinals.
By GREG GULAS
Vindicator Correspondent
BOARDMAN -- Chad Fischer, Nick Manos and Will Jensen each scored a goal Friday as the Canfield High ice hockey team posted a 3-1 victory over West Geauga in Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League action at The Ice Zone.
Canfield (7-8-0, 3-1-0 in league play) outshot the Wolverines, 30-8. The Wolverines fell to 2-9-1, losing for the third time in four league outings.
"We were flat in the first period and it wasn't because of the holiday lay-off," Canfield coach Joe Villano said. "I can't tell you why we were flat, we just couldn't get anything going.
Wolverines strike first
The Wolverines scored first when Jeff Haberny's slap shot found the net at 9:16 of the first period.
When the Wolverines' Brent Bolt was called for a slashing penalty at 4:17 of the period, Fischer needed just five seconds into the power-play opportunity to even the score when his wrist shot sailed past Frato.
The Cardinals outshot the Wolverines 11-2 in the period.
"We picked up our intensity in the second period, skated more and hit more but give credit to West Geauga as they matched our intensity and pretty much kept us at bay," Villano said.
"Their goalie [Chris Frato] was aggressive all game and he made us work for everything that we got around the net tonight," Villano said. "While I was pleased with our overall play, one area that displeased me was our lack of discipline. That is an area that we will address at practice next week."
Canfield continued their assault on the Wolverine net in the second period. When Manos' wristshot sailed past the crease just 1:26 into the period,the Cardinals took a 2-1 advantage.
Jensen seals win
Canfield held a 22 shots on goal advantage, but it took an empty-net goal by Jensen with just three seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Cardinals.
"They did an excellent job on their penalty kill tonight," Villano said. "Don't forget to give credit to our goalie, Mark Maxwell.
"When you don't see a lot of shots you still have to find a way to stay in the game mentally, and that is exactly what he did," Villano said. "He had a big stop on a breakaway with under four minutes to play and that really got us motivated the rest of the way."
The Cardinals will resume play next Saturday when they travel to Chagrin Falls to take on league opponent Kenston at the Arctic Freeze Arena.