The book for Canandaigua: Mark Belles (2g), Mitch Pfeiffer (2g), Dom Comella (1g), Connor Bauman (1a), Tyler Goode (1g-1a), Goaltending: Aiden Kenyon 7s/5ga = 58% (48 mins).

The book for Thomas: Joe Russo (3g-1a), Evan Pashalidis (1g), Nathan Hoban (1g-1a), David Petz (1a), Nick Vasile (1a), Ryan Prine (1a), Goaltending: Ethan Ruller 8s/6ga = 57% (48 mins).

2019-04-18 - Canandaigua scored four goals in the final quarter to secure a 6-5 victory over Thomas.  The Titans played a strong early game, but in the second half, they struggled offensively as they were scoreless for twenty minutes spanning from 0:47 seconds into the third until just under 3 minutes left in regulation. 

Overall, Canandaigua struggled in the first three quarters to get anything going on offense.  They only scored one goal in the first half and it was sixteen minutes into play.  Canandaigua added one more in the closing minute of the third.  They had offensive opportunities but failed to capitalize.  Although Thomas’ defense pressured the Braves, but the offense just couldn’t get things going.  In the fourth quarter, they used two man-up opportunities and to gain momentum and turn the tides and quickly take control.

Thomas was almost the converse. They played a rather consistent, if underwhelming, 48 minutes.  There were very few down moments for the Titans, but also few fireworks.  They were consistent on both ends of the field.  They took their time on shots and scored one goal in each of the first three quarters (and two in the final three minutes of the game).  Defensively, they pressured Canandaigua and didn’t make it easy for the Braves, but again didn’t show any fireworks.  Even as the Braves pulled away halfway through the final quarter, the Titans never backed down and pressed hard in the final minutes in an attempt to put the game into overtime.

Thomas scored the game opener with a set-offense goal.  David Petz assisted Joe Russo with 8:49 remaining in the opening quarter.  The game remained 1-0 for twelve minutes before Thomas’ Russo scored his second goal off a feed from Nathan Hoban.  This goal was scored in man-up and put the Titans up 2-0.  Canandaigua scored their first goal with a midrange shot from Dom Cornella off a feed from Connor Bauman.  The half ended with Thomas leading 2-1.

In the third quarter, Thomas took control of the ball time.  They scored their third goal 47 seconds into the quarter with Hoban scoring off a feed from Russo.  The Titans kept the ball on their offensive side for the next nine minutes and denied the Braves any offensive opportunities.  The Braves cleared the ball upfield 2 or 3 times, but only had it for under a minute total, which the Titans getting the ball back each time before Canandaigua go do anything with it. The Braves called a timeout with three minutes remaining and calmed down.  They scored their second goal with an outside shot from the top by Mitch Pfeiffer.  The third quarter ended with Thomas leading 3-2.

In the fourth quarter, Canandaigua scored four more unanswered goals to go from 1-3 to 6-3 spanning 9 minutes (the end of the third and beginning of the fourth).  The first two goals were both scored by Mark Belles (unassisted) with single player drives.  Belles’ second goal was the first time that Braves led in the contest.  The Braves kept up the pressure with two more goals (both unassisted) by Tyler Goode and Pfeiffer.  The Braves led 6-3 with 3:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Thomas never gave up and kept up the pressure.  Russo scored with a feed from Nick Vasile with 2:55 remaining.  With only 30 seconds left, the Titans scored to pull within a single goal.  Evan Pashalidis scored (assisted by Ryan Prine).  As time was expiring, Thomas had one more shot at the cage with under ten seconds but could not capitalize with a shot.  In the cage for Canandaigua, Aiden Kenyon recorded 7 saves.  For Thomas, Ethan Ruller recorded seven saves.