MATINEE DRAMA: Late Schley goal propels Canton over Salem, 5-4
A Canton player splits two Salem players in an effort to gain control of the puck.
William Schley’s sizzling slap shot into the top shelf of the net with just under 9 minutes remaining broke a 4-4 tie and propelled Canton to a 5-4 victory over Salem Saturday afternoon, in a back-and-forth, never-a-dull-moment Kensington Lakes Activities Association hockey game at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena.
Schley’s game-winner was a rising laser launched from a tough angle just inside the left boards
Anchored by senior goalie Riley Demeester, the Cobras repelled Salem’s accelerated offensive efforts in the closing minutes to secure the victory, which evened their record at 2-2 in the KLAA’s East Division. Salem slipped to 1-2.
(To check out video highlights from Saturday’s game, click here.)
While Schley’s late heroics proved to be the difference-maker, the winners were powered early by Cameron James’ hat trick and clutch goal-keeping by Demeester, who limited Salem to two goals over the opening two periods.
The Rocks struck first less than two minutes into the game when Andrew Weidenbach scored.
The comeback kids
Canton countered with three consecutive net-finders — two James’ goals that were sandwiched around a Kevin Jariett lamp-lighter.
Karsen Patel threatened to cut the Cobras’ lead to 3-2 with 40 seconds left in the first period when his rocket crashed into the cross-bar before spiraling out of harm’s way.
Rock uprising
Salem defenseman Abel Dubanik sparked his team’s three-goal second period with a shot that found nothing but the back of the net.
Patel deadlocked the game at 3-3 with a slick rebound goal that he snuck into a small opening over Demeester’s left shoulder.
Salem’s resurgence continued with 13:17 to do in the second stanza with a Nolan Kaminski goal.
James completed his hat trick with a goal at the 7:49 mark of the second period that knotted the game at 4-4.
That set the stage for Schley, who unleashed a frozen rope that proved to be the game-winner.
Cobra assists were registered by Jariett (two), James and Cyris Knowles.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
