Hockey: Skyline knocks off Saline, but falls to Trenton in Regional final (WLAA photo gallery)
The Skyline hockey team’s season came to an end the same way Pioneer’s season ended a few nights earlier on the same rink.
Trenton dominated its way to a fourth consecutive regional title on Saturday night against Skyline. Up by four goals after two periods, the host Trojans added five more in the third period and skated off with a 9-1 victory at Kennedy Recreation Center.
The final tally for Trenton invoked the eight-goal mercy rule, with 2:17 still left on the clock, and the Trojans went to collect the Division 2, District 16 championship trophy.
In the Regional semifinal on Thursday, Trenton knocked out Pioneer 9-4.
In other semifinal final, Skyline faced a familiar foe. Saline scored first on a bad break and Skyline responded with the next five goals as the Eagles knocked off – and out – Saline 5-1 on Thursday in a Regional semifinal at Kennedy Arena in Trenton.
WLAA HOCKEY PHOTO GALLERIES
SKYLINE VS PIONEER REGULAR SEASON
The game with rival Saline didn’t start out well for the Eagles. Saline’s Julian Downey was more or less just shooting the puck on goal from the blue line as the Hornets were making a line change. But somehow the puck skipped past Skyline goalie Tommy Letke and into the net at 12:39 of the first period.
But Letke was solid the rest of the night and kept the puck out of the net the rest of the way.
His teammates quickly picked him up.
Less than a minute later, Skyline’s AJ Schmunk, with assists from Sei Nakamura and Jack Brady, scored to even the game.
The game was tied 1-1 after one.
In the second period, Jack Bazzani scored with just 45 seconds left to push the Eagles into the lead. Nakamura and Schmunk earned the assists.
Skyline put the game away with a strong third period.
At 13:04, Jamie Newton scored unassisted to make it 3-1.
With 3:57 left in the game, Nakamura scored from Schmunk to make it 4-1.
Schmunk scored his second of the game at 1:58 to make it 5-1. Sam Begosso earned the assist.
Letke faced 30 shots in the game and turned away all but one.
WLAA HOCKEY PHOTO GALLERIES
SKYLINE VS PIONEER REGULAR SEASON
