Following a players-only closed door meeting to address the teams issues, the Eagles routed the Milford Mavericks, 6-2, in the battle for the Barber’s Cup Wednesday night at the Lakeland Tri-Arena.
“This was huge for us. They did this (meeting) all on their own,” Lakeland head coach Tim Ronayne said. “They did a lot of off-ice stuff. To come back from a losing effort last night and be able to pick it up says a lot. The rivalry between these two schools is immense.”
“This (game) was everything to us,” player Evan Ronayne said.
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Lakeland has had possession of the trophy for the past four years. Last year ended in a tie and with Lakeland winning the first game, they will retain possession of the trophy. Milford has owned the trophy just once since its inception in 2006.
The Eagles checked hard, and often, and scored regularly early, amassing an early 3-0 lead in the first period. They totaled a staggering 51 hits in the contest, 20 of them in the first period. They also didn’t allow their advisory a shot on goal until nine minutes into the first period.
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“We always want to try to set a tone. We’re trying to establish setting the bar early,” Tim Ronayne said. “That line of (Jordan) Blanzy, (Evan) Ronayne and (Kyle) Zunich got us going.”
The first line, featuring the three seniors, scored all of the opening goals. Each of those three players scored in the first period, and each of them assisted in each other’s goals.
Blanzy, the team captain, scored once and assisted in five of the team’s six goals. Evan Ronayne finished with two goals and Zunich nabbed a goal and three assists.
Blazny scored the first via a rebound off a Zunich wrist shot, Evan Ronayne and Zunich were credited with the assists. Evan Ronayne scored the second with Blanzy and Zunich assisting. Zunich scored the last, Blanzy assisted.
Evan Ronayne and Zunich’s goals were on the power-play.
Lakeland had four power-play chances in the first period. They accumulated seven shots on goal during the man-advantage. Their opponent didn’t fare nearly as well. The Mavericks got off two shots on goal in their first five power play chances and finished with a total of 10 shots in seven chances.
“I think on the penalty kill we try to get our sticks in the passing lane. Just shut them down and skate hard,” Blanzy said. “Every time you play Milford you try to set the tone early. We came out with a chip on our shoulder.”
Lakeland added two goals in the second period and held a 4-0 edge before junior goalie Mitch Leist allowed a goal. Leist had previously stopped his previous 11 shots. He finished with 19 saves.
“We played our system good. We got the puck out when we needed to,” Leist said. “The defense really cleared the puck out well. This was a big win for the seniors.”
Nick Kobiak and James Unsworth also scored for Lakeland.
The Eagles look to build off their success when they face-off in the KLAA tournament on Saturday.
