By: Ellie Hazelwood
The Ottawa West Golden Knights, as they earned back-to-back wins against the Winchester Hawks, extended their win streak to three in a row.
Thursday night was the start of the Golden Knights facing the Hawks back-to-back, and the Knights began the week at home at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena.
The Golden Knights nailed one, with a goal from William McCulligh, after some nifty teamwork between him and Thomas Dickey.
The Hawks unfortunately scored to tie it, but the Knights fought back, as Dylan Murdoch scored, after coming back from an injury, to put the boys up 2-1, heading into the second.
Justin Murdoch hit the back of the net in the second, to put the Golden Knights up by two.
The Knights started the third period on the powerplay, and shortly after that powerplay timed out, Antonio Zito sniped one against his old team. His goal helped seal the deal for the boys.
“I got the puck on the wall, I was going to walk in and shoot it, but I got nothing, so I threw it into the corner to Murdoch,” Zito said. “And he worked it down low, then it just popped out. I saw it, and I went for it. I shot it, and got the goal.”
Zito was playing against his old team, but his mindset coming into the game was just like any other.
“It’s my old team, but it’s a game at the end of the day,” Zito said. “And I just wanted to come in, give it my all, and help the boys get a win today.”
Everyone on the ice worked hard, and Dustin Riff stayed calm, and collected in between the pipes.
“In the third period we dominated, which is always a good thing, because that means they’re focusing on what we’re teaching them,” assistant coach Matt Soubliere said. “The fourth line played phenomenal tonight. Dylan Murdoch really stepped up, after coming back from an injury, and Riff played phenomenal too.”
Those factors contributed to getting the dub.
The following day, the Golden Knights travelled to the Winchester Arena, to play on the Hawks’ home turf. The Knights dominated the game, winning 8-3, with two goals from Justin Murdoch and McCulligh, as well as goals from Marcus Mazzuca, Owen Bird, and Jonathan Curti. Not only that, but John Sammon scored his first EOJHL goal, on Friday. Carter Overhoff stayed strong in net, helping the Knights get the win.
In other news, a big trade happened between the Golden Knights and Richmond Royals. The Knights traded Cooper Moore, and a PDF (Player Development Fee), for Joel Mullen and Gabriel Tremblay. Best of luck to Moore, and welcome to Mullen and Tremblay.
It was a shining week of games, with a trade alert at the end, as the Ottawa West Golden Knights continue to work hard on and off the ice.
