Foice, Campbell Lift Essex Over CVU

Nate Foice (file photo above) scored a power play goal to help Essex Top CVU 2-0.

Junior defenseman Nate Foice struck with a power play goal midway through the first period to push Essex over CVU in a rematch of last years D-1 finalists. Essex tacked on another goal in the third period as junior Luc Leblanc managed to slip the puck past the CVU goaltender.

Foice received a feed from junior Jack Cabanaw, then took a slapper from the point that tipped off CVU tender Jason O’Brien and dribbled into the back of the net. The goal was all Essex needed to improve their their record to 16-0-1 on the year, while the defending champions drop to 7-10-1.

Essex goaltender Pat Campbell was a large part of last year’s championship run which ended in a heartbreaking defeat to CVU in the D-1 championship game. He rebounded well, knowing that this game was important.

“For the ones that were here last year; this was a big win for us,” Campbell said. Last season’s Hornets lost a heart breaker when former CVU hockey star Robbie Dobrowski scored late in the third period to help the Redhawks win the state title 1-0.

But what makes Essex so dangerous this season? The fact is, Essex has so many threats to score, that it’s almost impossible to stop them all. Foice was the hero against CVU, but no one knows who it will be in Essex’s next game.

Although Essex won, CVU had many opportunities as the Hornets gathered six penalties. The Hornets manage to kill off all six power plays without giving up a goal.

“All we had to do was keep them in front of us and make sure we played solid D,” Campbell said. They did just that as Campbell stopped 18 shots and the rest of the Hornet’s were able to dump the puck often.

O’Brien did give up two goals, but he collected 33 saves. Leblanc managed to slip the puck by a sprawling O’Brien after he made the initial save 4:49 into the 3rd period.

The Hornets hopes to keep their unbeaten streak alive Monday when they host a make-up game against Rutland at the Essex rink, while CVU looks to rebound next Wednesday when they play Rice at Cairns Arena.