Grand Haven too much for Reeths-Puffer to handle

Holland’s Edge Ice Arena played host to a great match-up this afternoon as the Rockets from Muskegon Reeths-Puffer took on the Grand Haven Buccaneers. The Rockets play in the Tier 2 OK Conference and came into the game as underdogs, but proved to be a very formidable opponent for the Tier 1 Bucs. Grand Haven received great performances from junior goaltender Mark Nalley and senior captain defender Will VerDuin, and was able to come away with a 3-1 victory over Reeths-Puffer.

The first period was by far the most eventful period of the game, featuring an extremely high paced tempo and two goals scored within the games first 3 minutes. Reeths-Puffer was able to strike first as forward Cody Vanderstelt ripped one past Nalley just 1 minute and 7 seconds after the opening face-off. The Bucs took almost no time to respond, when Will VerDuin fired back the equalizer just a minute and a half later with 14:17 remaining in the opening period. Then with under 2 minutes to play in the quarter assistant captain Tom Zelenka took a loose puck at the red line, flew by a Rocket defender, and put one top  shelf for a beautiful goal to give the Bucs a go ahead 2-1 lead.

In the second period both teams were held scoreless, but it still didn’t lack any excitement. Both teams had their first power play of the game in the second, and both goalie’s made incredible saves to keep the score at 2-1. Reeths-Puffer goalie, Jared “J-Rod” Erickson, saved shot after shot during Grand Haven’s power play. swallowing up several huge slap shots, and coming away with  an incredible 12 saves in the period.

Finally with 12:28 to play in the game Austin Way scored to give the Bucs a comfortable 3-1 lead, on a shot that took an extremely unlucky bounce for the Rockets, and just barely squeaked under the pads of Erickson. The Rockets continued to fight for the remainder of the game putting up some really nice shots, but were unable to put another goal on the board. With 7:20 to go Reeths-Puffer had a 5 on 3 power play for over a minute, which was seemingly their last hope to get another goal and sneak back into the game. Nalley, VerDuin and the rest of the Bucs would not let this happen and played some outstanding defense to ensure another win. VerDuin was a presence on the ice for Grand Haven the entire game, delivering several crushing hits on opposing skaters.

Grand Haven now moves to 12-4 on the season, while Reeths-Puffer falls to 8-7-1.