DECEMBER-1999

Week of 12/5/99:                                         Sunday, December 5 - Triboro #4 and Starhawks #4 met for the third time this season in a NorthStar Youth Hockey league game. After being handled easily by Triboro in their first two outings, the Starhawks came prepared for a battle. Although John (assisted by Graeham and Jon) would put Triboro up 1-0 midway through the first period, the Starhawks supplied most of the offense and hitting for the rest of the game. Andrew and Arthur did their best to keep the team in the game but Triboro just couldn't muster much of an offensive attack throughout the game. Sunday, December 5 - Unfortunately, the parity process is not a perfect one. And for the second time this season, in the National Youth Hockey League, Triboro #4 has played a team that clearly belongs in a higher division. One can only hope that, for everyone's sake, they will be put at the appropriate level before it is too late. Monday, December 6 - Triboro #4, still intimidated from their previous meeting with Starhawks #4, did not put in the effort required to beat a team that they had taken easily in their first two games. All of the scoring came in the second period with Graeham (assisted from John) and John (assists to Jon and Graeham) netting Triboro's only goals. Unfortunatly, the Starhawks would add three of their own, winning this National Youth Hockey League game 3-2. Wednesday, December 8 - Triboro #4 lost their third National Youth Hockey League game in as many days to Lakers #4 by a score of 3-0. Still reeling from four consecutive losses, and severely shorthanded, Triboro could not put together a sustained attack against a team they should have no trouble competing with. Saturday, December 11 - Winless in their last five games, Triboro #4 came out determined to get back on the plus side with a decisive 2-0 victory over Tri-Valley #3 at the NorthStar Youth Hockey league. After a scoreless first period, John (assisted by Jordan and Seth) scored what would prove to be the winning goal late in the second period. Although most of the play was in Tri-Valley's end, when called upon, Arthur and Andrew came up the saves. To pull out of their losing streak, the Triboro players knew it would require 100% effort and a total team commitment by each skater. They came through with Matt, John, Kyle, Jon, Molly, Jordan, Graeham, Katelyn and Nicole supplying constant pressure on offense and Marc, Maeve, Kevin, George and Seth helping to thwart any scoring chances as Andrew and Arthur notched their sixth dual shutout of the season. Saturday, December 11 - Later in the evening, Triboro #4 continued their winning ways with a hard fought 3-2 win over Shrewsbury #4 in a National Youth Hockey League game. After a slow first period, on Triboro's part, which saw Shrewsbury score a fluke goal in the opening seconds of the game, Triboro turned it up to the level they showed in the day's earlier game. As he did in the first game, Graeham opened Triboro's scoring late in the first period, assisted by Seth who made a good play to keep the puck in the offensive zone. After Triboro tied the score, the tempo of the game shifted their way with Triboro picking up their skating and pressuring the opposition. John scored his second goal of the day on a nice setup from Graeham late in the middle period. Katelyn would score the game winner with just under three minutes remaining in the game on a text book setup from her linemates. Jordan dug the puck out of the corner and put it right on Jon's stick who slid it to the front of the net were Katelyn banged home a one timer. Arthur was solid in net holding off a swarming Shrewsbury team for most of the first period and a tense last minute of the game after Shrewsbury pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.

Week of 12/19/99:                                         Friday, December 24 - Triboro #4 continued their outstanding play of late, with a come from behind 3-2 victory over first place KP/Walpole #5 at the NorthStar Youth Hockey league. Although KP/Walpole had a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period, Triboro would not give up. Arthur, who started the game, came up with some great saves to keep Triboro in the game while the offense got cranking. Kyle (assisted from Seth and Jordan) would start the comeback midway through the second period. Early in the third period, John would get the equalizer (assists to Jon and Jordan). With only 1:25 left in the game, John would notch the game winner assisted from Kevin. It was another great team effort proving that when everyone gives it 100%, Triboro #4 can skate with any team. Once again, Triboro received a solid effort in goal by Andrew (who kept the opposition of the board in the second half of the game) and Arthur.