Schmauch Scores "Nasty" Game-Winner

Rough Rider junior defenseman Jake Schmauch scored what Rider hockey coach Ben Barlow described as a “nasty, hardworking” goal, jamming in the game winner at 2:28 in overtime in an upset of Red South Division team Holy Name.   

The game was the opening tilt of the Walsh Jesuit Martin Luther King Weekend hockey tournament at Kent State University on Friday night.

“The entire coaching staff is so proud of Jake,” commented Barlow. “That was his first goal this year; he searched out the puck and scored a goal in tight. We are getting a lot out of Jake; he has been playing really well this year.”

The Riders are playing in the tournament in which every other participating team plays in the Red Division (a division higher than Roosevelt’s white division) of the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League.

“Our kids need to compete against the best competition they can,” observed Barlow. “In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best which is a really tough thing to do in the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League because there are some really good teams.”

“This weekend gives us a great opportunity to test ourselves and see where we are, because the one big thing that I want for our kids year in and year out is to be proud to be Rough Riders and be proud to wear that jersey.”

In preparation for this weekend’s challenge, Barlow thought his team had “an amazing week of practice” in which he installed a new fore-check he believed would be a better fit for this tournament.

“The kid’s had great spirit and practices were high energy, they did extremely well with it (the new fore-check). I think they were feeling really good”

Holy Name’s David Schnell scored the game’s initial goal at 5:41 of the first period. Eric Feilte assisted on the play.

Rough Rider sophomore Scott Rainey scored the game tying goal with an acrobatic effort from the slot with an assist from Bob Danner at 6:05 of the second period. 

After a scoreless third period, the teams entered into the 4-on-4 overtime period of play.  The Riders utilized an aggressive fore-check and got several shots on goal before Schmauch scored his game winner with an assist from senior Tom Fisher.

Rider goalie Nate Grootegoed made 29 saves on 30 shots for the game and Holy Name goalie Sam Pikus stopped 21 of 23 shots.

“To beat a Red Division team as a White Division team, your goalie will need to make 30 plus saves”, commented Barlow. “Nate has played really well this year to win us games and tonight is a great example.”

"He’s got to make big saves in critical times and he’s got to be your number one penalty killer”.

The Riders killed off all three Holy Name power play opportunities.

“It’s a huge win for us, but tomorrow (Saturday) is a new day and it’s back down to business against another good team,“ summarized Barlow.

Blue line notes:

Barlow made note that both goals were scored by players other than their team’s current scoring leaders. He described the victory as a “total team win”.

Scoring summary:

Kent Roosevelt  0 - 1 - 0 - 1    2

Holy Name        1 - 0 - 0 - 0    1

1st Period:  HN) Schnell (Feilte) 5:41

2nd Period:  KR) Rainey (Danner) 6:05

3rd Periond: None

Overtime:    KR) Schmauch (Fisher, T. ) 2:28

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Kent Roosevelt:   23

Holy Name:         30

SAVES:

Kent Roosevelt: Grootegoed 29

Holy Name: Pikus 21