By Scott Huff
HATFIELD – The question on the mind of Souderton head coach Tom Coopersmith all season was whether or not his Indians could play with the elite teams of the Suburban High School Hockey League.
The answer appears to be – yes.
Souderton led highly touted Council Rock North 2-1 in the third period, but Rock North (18-1-1) rallied for a pair of quick goals to defeat the Big Red (10-9-1) – 3-2 – in a game played at the Hatfield Ice World.
“We found out tonight that we could play with the best teams in the area,” said Coopersmith. “This was without question our most intense game of the year.
“They were a little deeper off the bench than us, and I thought we got a little tired in the third period,” added Coopersmith. “But now we know what it takes come playoff time.”
Council Rock North did not treat this game as a throwaway game on its schedule. Rock North is still chasing Council Rock South for the #1 seed in the upcoming SHSHL playoffs.
“That was a very physical game, and this was an important game for us,” said Council Rock head coach Eric Tye. “It is very rare to fall behind a team in the third period and be able to come back and get a win.
“I don’t think I was any prouder of this team than I was the last hour and a half,” continued Tye. “Our kids are exhausted.”
On January 29th Rock North blasted Souderton by a 7-1 score in a game played at the Face Off Circle in Warminster.
That performance was not repeated.
“We may have come into the game thinking it wouldn’t be too hard,” said CR North center Kyle Weitz – who scored four goals in the earlier win. “We realized that when we fell behind in the third period, we were going to have to play much harder.
“We know that when we are down we have the scoring power to come back,” added Weitz. “Just keep playing hard, and we can score goals.”
Council Rock North controlled the first period and led 1-0. Scott Titus scored the lone goal of the period on an assist from Weitz at the 14:08 mark.
Souderton forged a 1-1 tie at the 11:57 mark of the second period when Corre Sommers scored on assists from Michael McCarthy and Collin Montgomery.
The Big Red snatched their only lead of the game at the outset of the third period. Sommers blasted a shot into the net on an assist from Montgomery at the 13:40 mark.
“This game was a huge improvement over the first time that we played them,” said Sommers. “We went out there to get a win, and when we went up 2-1 - I thought we might get one.”
The Big Red lead would last three minutes and 35 seconds as Weitz tied the game with a power play goal at10:05 in the final period.
And just 37 seconds later, Thomas Elmer scored what proved to be the game winner for Rock North on an assist from Hunter Behrens at 9:28.
“Our ultimate goal is to be the #1 seed,” said Tye. “We can’t get there if we don’t get these two points tonight.”
The next question that Souderton head coach Tom Coopersmith has to ask is whether or not his Big Red can beat the elite teams of the SHSHL.
Council Rock North 1 0 2 - 3
Souderton 0 1 1 - 2
First Period
CRN: Scott Titus (Kyle Weitz) 14:08
Second Period
S: Corre Sommers (Michael McCarthy & Collin Montgomery) 11:57
Third Period
S: Sommers (Montgomery) 13:40
CRN: Weitz (Hunter Behrens & Thomas Elmer) 10:05
CRN: Elmer (Behrens) 9:28
Saves
S: Drew Politsky – 22
CRN: Blake Huttner -- 15
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