Colts Win in Great Game Against Unbeaten Frisco

The Mesquite Colts handed Frisco their first loss of the season in an overtime 2-1 win that was definitely the most exciting game of the season thus far.

Cody Hanson gets credit for the game winner with a shoot-out goal that snuck the puck by Frisco goalie Justin Ball. Ethan Fox also scored in the shoot-out.

Regulation play ended after three periods with a score of 1-1, but don't let the low score fool you. This game was fast paced and evenly matched from the very first puck drop, as both the Frisco and Mesquite teams showed strong defense and Mesquite goalie Paul Hinojo was practically perfect, stopping 25 shots on goal and letting just one get by.

During the first period, Mesquite found itself with just one power play opportunity against a team that in just two previous games had racked up 18 penalties. Frisco killed the penalty without concern before Assistant Captain Justin Ivy had to take a seat for ten minutes midway through the period for letting his mouthpiece dangle in his cage. (Note to team: your teeth are beautiful -- let's keep them that way!)

The first period saw the Colts a little slow on the shoot, with few scoring chances and not enough shots aimed at the net, but the pace of play was fast, passes looked good, and the defense kept Frisco from camping out in front of the net.

The second period was also scoreless, with Frisco managing to keep everyone out of the box for a full period. The Colts played a physical second period, with junior Coby Benson throwing his body on the ice to save a shot, and both the Colts offense and defense keeping the Frisco team tied up enough to thwart their best efforts at hitting the net.

Once again the youngest members of the team showed they know how to get in there and play, as both Cody Richardson and Matthew Jenkin saw more playing time during this game. Jenkin caught some great passes from his linesmen, sweeping in at left wing at high speed before being pushed out of range by the Frisco defense. Richardson stopped some forward motion by Frisco on more than one occasion, bashing into some big Frisco boys without hesitation. 9th grader Austin Ivy also played well, hanging at the point and keeping the puck in Colts territory to give his team mates chances that were stopped dead by goalie Ball.

The third period started off with a face off win by the Colts that put the puck in range. Good passing among the Colts opened up a few scoring opportunities that were blocked by the bodies of Frisco D camped in front of the net. Just 49 seconds into the third Assistant Captain Tanner Holubar got two minutes in the box for a shove deemed as slashing, but the Colts killed the penalty with puck control and smart play.

Third period hits intensified just as the speed of play started to slow. Frisco's Pierce Petry got called for tripping, and Nick Adams got two minutes for a shot saving hook. With Adams in the box and both teams starting to run out of steam, Frisco's Geoffrey Giacoman took a sweet pass from Austin Cox to score a powerplay goal with just over two minutes to go.

With the Colts at full strength, Mesquite went gunning for the goal,and with just over three minutes to play, Frisco's Austin Cox tripped a Colts forward to land in the box and give the Colts one last chance at a power play. With Colts forwards front and center waiting for a pass, senior Justin Ivy took advantage of the pushing and shoving going on in front of the net and shot a beautiful slapshot from the center of the blue line, through traffic right past the goalie's head to tie the game at 1-1.

Tension mounted and the crowd got loud as the five minute overtime began. Both teams seemed to have found new energy and a willingness to battle til the end, and even with the Frisco team short a man for throwing an elbow, overtime ended still tied.

That's when Colts goalie Paul Hinojo really shined, as he confidently faced Frisco's Jake Martinez, denying him a goal. Captain Ethan Fox then lobbed a beauty behind goalie Ball, moving the Mesquite crowd to a near frenzy. Next Hinojo easily stopped a shot by Frisco's Preston Ware, leaving Frisco with only one other chance to the Colts two. Nick Adams took a shot for the Colts that didn't quite do what he intended, before Frisco's Cox snuck one past Paulie.

With virtually every fan on both sides of the ice on their feet for what we hoped would be the last shot of the game, Mesquite's Cody Hanson took off from center ice, deked to the right, and slung one in to win the game for the Colts. There was a slight delay while everyone counted "1...2...3," and then the Colts bench cleared, with our very happy boys pouncing on Hanson and Hinojo in celebration of their win.

Coaches Hall, Hanson, and Richardson can be very proud of their boys and their very effective and consistent coaching strategy. The Colts never let up for more than 41 minutes of play, and both Colts players and fans were understandably ecstatic about their win.

The Colts face Arlington Martin in Euless at the Dr. Pepper Star Center at 4:15 on Sunday, Oct. 25. See you at the rink!