Yarmouth Clippers hosted the Cape Elizabeth Capers on Martin Luther King Day in a rare weekday, early afternoon game. What was also rare was the outcome based on recent history.
The big story in the first period of the game was the referees. The refs decided to swallow their whistles allowing way too many late hits and dangerous play for both sides. Frankly, it was hard to watch the game waiting for a serious injury. There was no scoring in the first period and Cape outshot Yarmouth 6 to 5.
At 11:41 of the second period Yarmouth scored first when Matt Robichaud slid one past the Cape goaltender on a power play with the assist from Isaac Grondin and Spencer King. Unfortunately, very late in the period Cape Elizabeth responded, also on a power play goal, with 38 seconds left in the period. Cape controlled more of the play in the 2nd period outshooting Yarmouth 14 to 6. The higher shot total was a direct factor of Cape having more power play opportunities than Yarmouth in the period. Cape had 8 power-play opportunities for the entire game, whereas Yarmouth had only four power-play chances.
At 9:37 in the 3rd period, Yarmouth was short-handed when Isaac Grondin made a great individual effort to rush the ice and make his way around a defender to get to the net and score. The tied score was broken. Yarmouth was up 2-1.
A few minutes later Will Giese No. 27 scored what turned out to be a very important third goal for the Clippers with a shot, bar down from the left circle. Spencer King was credited with an assist on the goal.
Cape Elizabeth made is close and a nail bitter by scoring an even strength goal with 3:41 left in the game. Strong goaltending by Charles Henry Watson kept the puck out of the net for the remaining minutes and gave the Clippers the 3-2 win.
As we all know last year Cape was the Clippers nemesis taking 2 regular season games and defeating Yarmouth in a playoff elimination game. It sure felt good for the boys to get this one and turn the tide on the disappointment from last year.
Yarmouth is looking strong and healthier as they head into this coming weekend when they play the Gorham Rams. Go Clippers!!!
