DEBT COLLECTOR

BARRON & COLLINS HARTWIG COMBINE FOR 7
DUFF SOLID EFFORT IN NET PROPELS DEVILS
DEVILS PAYBACK DEBT FOR 2007 PLAYOFF LOSS

(WILLIAMSVILLE) The Clarence Red Devils ended a two game winless skid with a convincing 10-2 victory over Williamsville North. The contest was more than a confidence builder, as it also avenged a home playoff loss that Clarence suffered at the hands of the Spartans in last season's quarterfinal playoff game. Hit hard by graduation, North has struggled during the 2008 season. However, the Red Devil victory was sorely needed, as they attempt to get on back on track for the second half of the season. After a rough start, Clarence got things rolling in their favor in the second and third quarters, shutting out the Spartans in the second half.

The first quarter was probably one of the worst quarters Clarence had played all season. Looking a bit nervous, the Red Devils continually misplayed balls and were outhustled by the Spartans. The team had great difficulty with their clearing passes and finding an offensive rhythm. North had several early opportunities as the Red Devil defense looked a bit out of synch. However, Ryan Duff (13 saves)came up with three big first quarter saves help get the Red Devils jump-started. North would score the only goal of the quarter at the 9:26 mark. The Spartans caught the Clarence defense unsettled on a nice passing play. Joe Greenwald picked up the assist on a nice pass to Brian Jaszka. The junior midfielder made it count, firing it past Duff to make it 1-0 North. That lead would hold until the end of the quarter as both teams had difficulty creating quality scoring opportunities.

The Red Devils would settle down in the second and began to pull away from the Spartans. Tom Owen picked up the first Clarence goal just 39 seconds into the quarter. Owen has been a force of late on the crease, using his size to harass opposing defenses. The play was setup on a nice pass from Dan Barron. Owen cut through the North defense, received the feed and buried it past Spartan goalie Pat Stasio (13 saves) to tie the game at one.

Two minutes later, Dan Barron (4g, 3a) picked up his first goal of the afternoon on a solo effort. Using his speed, Barron ran his Dpole behind and around the backside of the net. Gaining the edge, Barron curled to the front and popped it in past Stasio to give the Red Devils the lead at 2-1.

Barron picked up his second goal almost five minutes later. Jordan Zaprowski created the play on a nice ride in the North end of the field. Pressuring the defender at the sideline, Zaprowski forced the clearing pass back towards the North goal. Barron read the play perfectly and intercepted the ball. Barron made it count, as Stasio had little chance on this one. 3-1 Clarence.

North struck back with just over two minutes left in the quarter. This goal came about on a great individual effort by senior midfielder Kurtis Noble. Noble fought hard through several Clarence defenders, spun, dodged and then launched a hard bouncer past Duff to close it to 3-2.

However, that would be all the scoring for the Spartans on this day. Twenty seconds after the North goal, Clarence responded with one of their own. The play was created off a series of dodges behind the Spartan net by Barron. Drawing the attention of the North Dpoles, Barron fired it out front to Dave Colicchia (2g). Colicchia finished it off with a quick high-low shot in the crease. The Red Devils took a 4-2 lead into halftime.

Although Clarence held just a two goal lead, the momentum had clearly swung in favor of the visitors. The Red Devils would dominate the Spartans in the third quarter, scoring five unanswered goals. The first goal game just over a minute into the third. The Spartans were playing man-down after a penalty. Jordan Collins-Hartwig would make them pay, scoring his first of two consecutive tallies. Collins-Hartwig once again used his speed, dodging quickly towards the cage and firing it from the left slot past Stasio. The Devils had a three goal lead at 5-2.

Collins-Hartwig would score yet another just two minutes later. Tommy Owen and Collins-Hartwig played a nice two-man game at the top of the box. After Collins-Hartwig made is pass to Owen, he quickly raced past his man for a sensational give-and-go. Owen then dumped it back to Jordan who had snuck in behind the Spartan defender. Collins-Hartwig turned and fired it into the back of the net for a 6-2 Clarence advantage.

Three minutes later, Barron scored his third goal on a beautiful shot. The play was created by none other than our own Neil Stalker. Stalker made a quick pass into Barron from the midfield area. Seeing and opening, Barron turned at fired it past Stasio. The ball went across the goaltender and caught the opposite top corner. The incredibly well placed shot put the Devils up 7-2.

With just over two minutes remaining in the third, Dave Colicchia would record his second goal of the day. Credit Jordan Zaprowski for a great job of drawing the defense. Zap dodged towards the front of the goal line extended. As he beat his man, the defensive slide left Colicchia wide open in his favorite spot-just outside the crease. Zap hit him with the nice feed, and Click buried it to make it 8-2. It was a nice day for Dave as he registered what we have come to know as a "Colicchia Hat Trick"; two goals and one unnecessary slashing penalty.

Clarence quickly regained possession after the faceoff and scored just 23 seconds later. Barron again on his own, fought his way through two defenders from X. Splitting the two Spartan defenders, Barron curled in front and again and beat Stasio to finish the third quarter scoring at 9-2.

Only one goal was scored in the fourth quarter. Jordan Collins-Hartwig picked up his third of the game on a pass from Barron. Collins-Hartwig once again used his quickness to penetrate the North defense. Barron found him with a pretty pass, and Jordan finished off the scoring at 10-2 at the 8:43 mark. The remainder of the fourth quarter saw back and forth action. The Red Devils reserves picked up some valued game experience and Clarence sewed up another important league win.

A good solid effort for three quarters after a rocky start in the first. Clarence improves to 5-5 overall and 4-2 in Class A. The win was critical for the Red Devils, as they look ahead to Wednesday's league matchup with West Seneca West. A win would put them in the probable position to host a first round playoff game. See you up at the field!