Behind the camera: Day 1 of the Dan Jilek Cup
January 8, 2023
Entertaining. Confusing. Nail biting. This year’s Dan Jilek Cup is finally here and it proved to be one to remember. Here’s what you need to know:
- Skyline scored stunning goals to beat Pioneer in a convincing 5-2 win to put themselves into the championship game.
- Sophomore Nathan Bowman turned away 48 shots, helping Huron put up a valiant fight against Father Gabriel Richard/Greenhills, despite losing 5-1.
Skyline’s Graham Newton: A standout
After a slow start, the Eagles opened it up in the second period. Junior Graham Newton was consistent throughout, moving the puck well and with a sense of urgency. Newton scored a jaw-dropper, maneuvering through at least three Pioneer players before easily putting the puck past senior goaltender Julius Kass.
But in the third period, Newton took an unpenalized knee-on-knee hit. He was laying on the ice in pain before being helped to the bench by a trainer. Although Newton finished the game, that doesn’t ease any concern for Skyline as they might lose their best defenseman due to injury.
Mid-game Tomfoolery
After the fifth goal, senior goaltender Julius Kass had plenty to say to the opposing Eagles players, earning him a penalty. The coach decided to switch him out with backup goaltender Nick Huston, who played a stellar game in the third, rendering the period scoreless. But as Kass skated to the bench, Skyline players cheered and taunted him, earning themselves a penalty to nullify their power play. It was at least five minutes of watching the events unfold and waiting for the referees to assess the penalties. The consensus is that this kind of behavior is common for the Pioneer goaltender.
Hope for Huron
Although the result of the Huron and FGR/GH game was not too different from their previous contest, there was something different about the way they played today. Head coach Bill Bonser’s impact was the clearest it’s been all season. He gave the River Rats purpose. They played with heart and passion. Every forecheck, every hit, and every shot block showed it. Junior Karsen Kucharski’s jam-play goal represented that relentlessness, an unstoppable drive to put the puck in the net. The game didn’t end with the result they wanted, but hope shone through for the future of this program. Shaking off the shadow of last season, this team should be proud of what they showed on the ice today.
