Ice is nice for young 'Stangs
Mullen erupts for a 5-goal 1st period in 6-3 defeat of Air Academy at The Edge.
LITTLETON – It was an early, welcomed barrage, particularly for a younger team gaining experience on the fly that also was shorthanded.
Mullen’s 6-3 victory over Air Academy in the Class 4A North Division on Tuesday afternoon at The Edge Ice Arena came with a five-goal first period that produced a lot of joy and smiles for a team that needs them.
The Mustangs may have improved to just 3-11 overall, 2-4 in the 4A North, but head coach Devon Brady and his guys hjave been gradually improving and patiently waiting for what transpired over the game’s opening 17 minutes.
They went on a five-goal binge to grab command, weathered some sloppy, penalty-filled play in the second and didn’t blink when the Kadets scored two quickies down the stretch to flirt with making it interesting.
Brady noted that a team already thin in quality numbers was even thinner with three regulars sidelined, but agreed it may have been the team’s best game with this particular availability.
He also pointed to a couple of freshmen, Kit Witwer and Freedom Barrows, junior Liam Finney and sophomore goalie Cooper Puckett.
“It was a team effort and nice to see guys who haven’t stepped up play well,” he said.
In particular, Witwer, a left wing, got his first points on the season with a goal and two assists. Puckett had 25 saves and protected the lead. And the five-goals early came from Leo Mansfield (two), Joshua Fisher, Witwer and Ciaran Dooley. Mansfield added two assists for a four-point game and Archer Sfea also had two assists.
“It was a good game by the boys,” Witwer said. “I’ve Ben (Hollingsowrht, a center) to thank for my goal and the people I passed to to thank for the assists. It was great to come out with a win. We needed this.”
Miles Fusting answered late after Air Academy cut the Mullen lead to three and said “we had some good pressure in the first (with 22 shots).” He pointed to an earlier game against Kent Denver that seemed to provide team chemistry and “we got our season going.”
The Mustangs have five games remaining and are eager to build on what is transpiring. It picks up this weekend, when they will have a back-to-back against Colorado Academy – on Friday, Feb. 3, at Big Bear, 6:15 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 4, at The Edge, 8:45 p.m.
MULLEN 6, AIR ACADEMY 3
Air Academy 1 0 2 -- 3
Mullen 5 0 1 -- 6
Mullen goals – Joshua Fisher, Kit Witwer, Leo Mansfield 2, Ciaran Dooley, Miles Fusting.
Mullen assists – Kit Witwer 2, Cooper Oatman, Ben Hollingsworth, Joshua Fisher, Archer Shea 2, Leo Mansfield 2.
Mullen shots – 22-9-11 -- 42.
Mullen saves – Cooper Puckett 25.
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