Squirts: The Gateway Gladiator Squirts took to the ice on Saturday to push for its first win in this year’s playoffs, and they did by a score of 4-2. In the first period and with a clean top shelf shot, Ty David Ribeiro got Gateway on the board with help from Benjamin Hebbel. Soon after, Ribeiro added another goal, assisted by Lucy Murphy and Brayden Hathon. Y-D Dolphins then shot one past goalie Thomas Leger making the score 2-1, but Matthew Paling got on the scoresheet late in the first with an assist from Brady Kidney, which made the score 3-1. In the second period, Thomas Clavell stick-handled his way past Y-D and added a beautiful top shelf goal, unassisted. In the third, Y-D was able to score another goal, but strong defensive play was the name of this game thanks to Jacob Hebbel and Lucas DeMoranville. Watch for next week when the Squirts face Norwood in the third and final playoff game.
Pee Wees: The Gladiator Pee Wees faced off against the Cyclones in the second of three playoff games, and it was a nail biter until the very last seconds. These teams have played three games this season, and every game has ended in tie against the No. 1 Cyclones. Sunday morning’s first period was a battle to see who would get on the board first, and with 10 seconds left in the period Gateway’s Tyler Lovendale won the battle with an unassisted goal. The Cyclones tied it up early in the second period, but Gateway answered to take the lead off a goal by Lovendale with an assist by Nate Ribiero. Another goal by the Cyclones in the second tied it up again. The third period did not disappoint. The Cyclones scored a third goal to take their first lead in the game. In true fashion, the Gladiators did not give up, and with only 27 seconds left in the game, Ben Demoranville netted one final goal off of an assist by Ribiero to end the game in a 3-3 tie. Next week’s final playoff game is a must win for Gateway to go to the Championship, and it should be an exciting one.