Huge Weekend Wins for the Gaels

The Gaels headed into what was arguably their toughest weekend of the regular season, coming off two-weekday wins against Newmarket. Playing the Akwesane Thunder and Kahnawake Hunters less than 24 hours apart is hard for any team. However, the Green Gaels were up for the challenge as they prevailed through the weekend with 4 points and a 6-game winning streak. 

On Saturday night, the Gaels get the party started with a matchup against Akwesasne at home. This sentence is beginning to be a recurring theme lately as Gaels Captain Cole Tucker once again opens up the game with the first goal early. Later on in the period, Akwesasne answers back with two of their own coming from Thanaokatha Elijah and Trysen Sunday. The Gaels end the first down 2-1. 

Ty Taylor wasted no time tying this one up just 24 seconds into the second. Owen Taylor follows that up with his first goal of the season in his first game on the offensive side of the ball. 

Takaronhiotakie Thompson ties things up again at 3-3 a few moments later. Both teams scored two more each before the end of the second period, with Gaels’ goals scored by Carsyn Kent and Cole Tucker and Thunder’s goals coming from Hawi Francis and Landen Sinfield. 

The first half of the third period is scoreless before Trysen Sunday gets his second to give the Thunder a late lead. The Gaels won’t let up that easily as the leading scorer, Ty Taylor, answers back and ties things up again. Just when it looks like we may be headed to overtime, Owen Taylor scores the game-winning goal with 2:37 remaining to earn himself player of the game honors from his teammates. 

This Green Gaels win certainly meant a lot for their veteran players and coaching staff as they finally got some redemption after being sent home in the first round the last 2 years against Akwesasne.  

With the first pair of points in the bag for the Gaels, just a quick sleep, and a few hours later, they faced off against the Hunters on Sunday afternoon. 

Ty Taylor sets the tone for the game as he grabs the loose ball off the opening faceoff and scores 15 seconds into the first period. Hunter’s Connor Gorman would answer back, tying it up at one apiece. The Gaels scored 2 goals from Cole Tucker and Owen Taylor before the hunters finished the period with 3 more from Deeland Martin, Ethan Drake, and Shakononhkwahtsheronniennis Rice. 

Ty Taylor once again opened up the period with an early goal to bring the Gaels back to an even game. The Hunters score two from Shakononhkwahtsheronniennis Rice and Colby Dobbins. The Gaels answer back with three straight goals from Aidyn Urbach, Ty Taylor, and Owen Taylor. The second period ends with a 7-6 Green Gaels lead.

With some rough stuff after the second-period ends, Cam Beckett and Colton McNutt draw Hunter’s defenceman Mark Henderson into taking a roughing penalty. Giving the Gaels some extra momentum heading into the final frame.

Feeding off the call he drew, Colton McNutt scores the game-winner with 15:40 still left to go. Owen Rice is able to bury one more for the Hunters, but it won’t matter as the Gaels leave the weekend with 2 huge wins. 

The Gael’s defensive unit and goaltender Craig Johannson had a stellar weekend, holding two very high-powered offenses to just 6 and 7 goals a piece. Overall, it was a great weekend for the boys in green, as they sent a message to the rest of the league that they are not messing around. 

Next up are two Home Games against divisional opponents, the Ironheads, on Thursday, June 13th, and Saturday, June 15th, after some well-deserved rest.