Moose start November on the right foot

The Metro Moose Junior B team was looking forward to November. The team was looking to rebound for a slow and sluggish month of October. The schedule for November was 10 huge league games and the Moose wanted to gain some valuable ground in the chase for a playoff berth.

The first weekend of November the Moose welcomed local rival The Jersey Wildcats, to Abe Stark. Jersey had beaten the Moose last year in the playoffs and the team wanted to exact some revenge. The Moose message was loud and clear from the start and the team was up 3-0 after the first period of the weekend. Goals by James Shea, Michael Davie and Sean McAllister got the ball rolling. Davie would add his second of the game midway through the second before Jersey would get on the board late in the second to make the score 4-1 heading into the third. In the third, the Moose and Jersey would exchange goals again the final score was 5-2 with Sean McAllister adding his second of the game as well, early in the third. John D’Adamo backstopped the team with 17 saves in picking up the victory.

Sunday’s game was a dominating performance by the Moose. The team outshot Jersey an amazing 74 -5 en route to a 9-1 victory. The team was clicking on all cylinders and everyone contributed to the effort. Goals were picked up by Michael Davie (2) Sean McAllister, Kevin Drudy, Kevin Barry, James Shea, Danny Kaplan, Brendan Tracy and Steve Kelly. Assists were plentiful as well with helpers going to: McAllister (3), Tracy (2), Kelly (2), Matt Galeano (2), Drudy, Shea, Luke Morrel, Keegan Travers, Matt Conway, KC Krober and Joe Finocchiaro.

The second weekend of November another familiar opponent came to Brooklyn. The Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins were the Moose nemesis last year. The two teams battled tightly all year but Pittsburgh was very impressive last year on their way to a trip to Nationals. The Moose knew despite a heavy turnover in their roster that the Penguins would be a well coached and disciplined team.

The first game of the weekend, the Moose would again jump out to a great start and lead 5-0 after the first period. The Moose had a great week of practice and preparation and that lead to the team coming out of the gates on fire. Greg Kubrak started the scoring with assists going to line mates Willie Manchester and John Quinn. Joe Finocchiaro would tack on another tally ten minutes later with the assist going to Luke Morrel. Kubrak would add his second of the game with Manchester picking up another assist. A minute and a half later KC Krober would get on the board after a pass from James Shea. Just seven seconds later that line would add another goal with Steve Kelly scoring off a great pass from Shea again. After the intermission, the Penguins would answer back with one of their own before the Moose added another 3 on. Shea scored a power play goal with the assist going to Michael Davie. Matt Galeano would then get on the board with assists going to Finocchiaro and Luke Morrel. Finocchiaro would add his second of the game late in the second to send the teams back to the rooms after two with the score Moose leading 8-1. The Moose were flat in the third and the Penguins would tact on another goal to end the game 8-2.

Sunday’s game was a much more even game despite what the final scoreboard read. The Moose would again lead after the first but this time only by a score of 1-0 after a late power play goal by Captain Brendan Tracy with the assists going to Sean McAllister and Matt Conway. Pittsburgh would answer back early in the second to tie the game at 1. The Moose then rattled off four straight goals to close out the second. McAllister scored another power play goal. Greg Kubrak continued his hot play with another goal with assists going to Willie Manchester and goaltender Steve Laris. Finocchiaro would continue his hot streak as well with another goal with assists handed out to Matt Galeano and defenseman Pat Mead. Willie Manchester and his line continued their great play with Manchester picking up a goal with both of his line mates Greg Kubrak and John Quinn picking up the assists. The third period started the same way the second ended; the Moose would tact on another goal to make it 6-1. Michael Davie scored with assists going to McAllister and Tracy. Pittsburgh would add on another two goals before the game ended making the final score Moose 6, Penguins 3.

The team is happy with the November has started. 4 big home wins and the start of some positive momentum. The team has been practicing well and coming together both on and off the ice. The Moose still has 6 more important league games this month. The team now prepares for the first place Springfield Pics who come to Brooklyn with an impressive league record and have been garnering a lot of attention nationally.