Cleveland, OH – Sunday December 6th – For Immediate Release

Heading into yesterday’s Empire West showdown with the 10th ranked Syracuse Nationals, the Cleveland Jr Jacks, based on their previous play, were excited about their chances to knock off this much higher ranked team coming in for two games at the Jacks home rink at Gilmour Academy.  Unfortunately, with the benefit of absolutely no breaks or bounces, the 99 Jr Jacks lost both contests to the Nationals by scores of 4-2 and 5-2 to drop their season mark to 24-15-1.

Game One started out with both squads measuring each other and trading a few scoring chances.  Midway through the first period, however, Syracuse was the recipient of a generous call by the referee to take a 1-0 lead.  A saved puck was frozen under the goalie’s pads and the Syracuse player crashed into the crease shoving goalie and all into the net.  Instead of a whistle or goalie interference call, the Nationals were awarded a goal and the lead.  The 99 Jr Jacks rose up and tied the game on a beautiful backhand shot with just over a minute left in the first and the game was 1-1 through one period.  The second period was very evenly played as well but, again, the Nationals were able to score a power play goal deflected off of a Jacks defenseman and then a third goal deflected by a Syracuse player in the high slot.  The 99 Jr Jacks, hanging tough as usual, score another late period goal to close the gap to 3-2 after two periods.  The third period was also back and forth as the 99 Jr Jacks looked to tie the game and the Nationals looked for that game clincher.  As luck would have it, the Nationals scored their fourth goal off of an unlucky turnover and bad bounce right to a Syracuse player parked at the left post.  The Nationals held on for a 4-2 victory.

Game Two saw much of the same luck the 99 Jr Jacks had in the first game, all bad.  Syracuse took an early first period lead on a breakaway and followed up with a late power play deflection goal to take a 2-0 lead after one period.  The second period saw the 99 Jr Jacks come out firing and gain some early period monentum as they scored a breakaway goal to make it 2-1 midway through the 2nd period.  Another fluky Syracuse goal late in the 2nd helped the Nationals retake their two goal lead.  A Syracuse centering pass from behind the net bounced off of three players before finding its way past the left post to make it 3-1 after two periods.  The third period was much like the previous five periods played between these two good teams as they traded good chances and played great defense.  The Nationals made it 4-1 off of yet another goal deflected in off of a 3 on 2 rush but the 99 Jr. Jacks quickly made it 4-2 off of a goalmouth scramble of their own to get back within reach.  In continuing their comeback, the 99 Jr Jacks were forced to take some chances and be more aggressive in rushing the puck but old Lady Luck would have the final say yet again as another bad bounce on a breakout pass led to a quick 2 on 1 goal conversion for Syracuse and they held on the rest of way for a 5-2 victory to sweep the season series with the 99 Jr Jacks four games to none.

“We definitely had some bad bounces and bad breaks go our way in both games”, commented Coach Bill Menges after the second game.  “The scores were not really indicative of how well we played.  We skated and hustled right with Syracuse.  My hat’s off to them, they got it done and I’m a believer in the fact that teams make their own luck and create their own chances by just going hard to the net.  Hopefully, we can get back in that mode for next weekend against Rochester.  We definitley owe them some payback”

“If it wasn’t for bad luck today, we’d have had no luck at all”, added Assistant Coach Rob Krueger.  “But, hey, there is a reason Syracuse is ranked 10th in the country.  They are a great team.”

The 99 Jr Jacks will take their show on the road this weekend and will look to deliver some payback to the Rochester Americans as they’ll square off with their other Empire  West rival for games Saturday and Sunday before shutting it down for the Christmas break.

Let’s Go Jacks

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Cleveland 99 AAA Hockey