WINDSOR, N.S. — The Avon View Avalanche's performance just prior to Christmas left the assistant coach beaming with pride.
Glen Earley was pleased with his team’s 6-1 triumph over the Park View Panthers Dec. 23, and said it was a game that they dominated from the start.
The teams met twice before this season, and Avon View lost both matches.
In the Dec. 23 game, Avon View led the Bridgewater-based high school 3-0 after 20 minutes thanks to a pair of goals from Jacob Caldwell and one from Liam Parker.
Parker added another goal in the second. Dan Lord and Jeremy Davison rounded out the scoring for the Avalanche.
Earley spoke highly of Avalanche goaltender Ryan Jillett who he said played “exceptionally strong” as the Avalanche moved to within five points of the first place Panthers in the Eastern Division of the Valley High School Boys Hockey League.
Avon View is presently tied with Northeast Kings for third place as both have records of 7-5 for 14 points while Horton is in second place with a 9-1-0-0 record for 18 points.
Upcoming games
With a home and home series coming up against Northeast Kings Jan. 13 in Windsor and Jan. 19 in Canning, followed by a game with Horton on Jan. 20, Avon View needs to focus on winning matches.
Earley says the coaching staff "will be working on a team goal of keeping a third period lead, something we have had trouble with this year.”
Several of the teams' losses occurred in the final period after playing well for the first 40 minutes.
“We will be bearing down on the guys in practice and attempting to show them how to hold onto leads so we can move into a playoff position in the Valley League, whether that be first place in the East or as the Wild-Card team,” said Earley.
The Avalanche still have one final regular season game against Park View, which will be held on the South Shore.
