The Norwich Sea Captains completed their weekend set against North American 3 Hockey League East Division foes from Massachusetts by heading up to the Fitzpatrick Ice Skating Rink in Holyoke to visit the Bay State Bobcats on Saturday evening, falling by a score of 2-1.
A scoreless first period gave way to a spirited second, as the Bobcats peppered Norwich starting goaltender Andrew Yocum with 23 shots on goal during the middle stanza. Despite Yocum’s heroics, Bay State was able to connect twice in the middle frame, with goals from Landon Boothe and Tima Basarab, the latter proving to be the game winner.
Head Coach Kevin Cunningham said, “Tonight’s game was a strange one. We did not execute our game plan with much efficacy at all in the first or second period, however we still created a fair amount of offensive chances. On the flip side, we gave up too many chance and too many of those were preventable. We have to be way more physical in all areas of the rink. Andrew Yocum gave us a very solid effort in net and I thought Teagen Beier played hard and got a number of good things done all night. A tip of the cap to Ben DiFiore in net for Bay State as well. He kept most of our chances to one and done opportunities, which was a key to their victory.”
The Sea Captains would cut the deficit in third courtesy of Teagan Beier’s third goal of the season at the 12:27 mark of the period. While Beier provided the finish, it was a gorgeous pass from Max Tapia that set the play up, with Ethan Ranger picking up the secondary assist. For Tapia, the Lisbon CT native, it was his first point in a Sea Captains uniform.
Yocum would be called to the bench for an extra attacker in the final minute, but it would not be enough as the Sea Captains could not solve opposing goaltender DiFiore for a second time. The loss sealed a frustrating weekend the Norwich, who now find themselves on a three game slide.
The Sea Captains will look to rebound as they face the Danbury Jr Hat Tricks for the first time this season on Wednesday, October 13th, with a scheduled noontime start from the friendly confines of the RoseGarden Ice Arena. Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking HERE.