The Norwich Sea Captains dropped a 6-2 decision to the Bay State Bobcats on Friday, November 12 in North American 3 Hockey League action. The game was spirited affair at the Fitzpatrick Ice Skating Rink in Holyoke, MA that saw both team occupy the penalty box on a regular basis. The hosts used this to their advantage as they netted two power play goals in the first period to stake themselves to a 2-0 lead 11:55 into play.
Drew Schemmel scored 5:11 into the second period to cut the Sea Captains’ deficit in half. Aidan Bayne recorded his first junior hockey point by assisting on Schemmel’s goal. Unfortunately, Bay State tallied two more times in the middle stanza to extend their lead to 4-1.
Teagen Beier scored on the power play, with assists credited to Tim Hayden and Ethan Ranger, 7:36 into the third to make the score 4-2. Bay State answered exactly four minutes later to restore their three goal lead. Norwich generated some excellent scoring chances before the Bobcats added an empty net goal with :20 left to play for the final margin.
“We dug ourselves a hole that we were unable to climb out of by giving up the two first period power play goals. Then if we could have gotten to the third period down 2-1 instead of allowing those two second period goals, I think we would have positioned ourselves to win the game. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find the consistent attention to detail that we need to earn a win,” said head coach Kevin Cunningham.