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Boys Hockey: Sandburg’s depth sinks Providence
Updated: December 17, 2011 12:28AM
Sandburg’s explosive offense was on full display against Providence Friday at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park.
Six different Eagles found the back of the net, led by Michael Florczyk’s two goals, as Sandburg trounced Providence 7-2 in Orland Park.
Nate McCatty, Andrew McCatty (two assists), Connor Tietz, Eric Saulters (assist) and Mike Misheck also lit the lamp for the Eagles, who improved to 19-8 on the season.
Providence, which fell to 21-10, received goals from Trace Vandenberg and Brendon Austin.
“We got all three lines contributing offensively,” Sandburg coach Keith Mizwicki said. “We had one power play goal, one short-handed goal and the penalty killing was fantastic.”
The Eagles’ penalty-killing unit snuffed three straight Celtic man advantages to start the game.
Much of the credit for that goes to goalie Taylor Dignan (24 saves), who made several spectacular saves.
“Dig’s was phenomenal,” Mizwicki said. “He kept us in it.”
With Dignan holding up his end of the bargain, an inspired Sandburg offense took aim at Providence goalie Justin Salazar (24 saves).
Nate McCatty got Sandburg on the board at 12:48 of the first period, undressing a Celtic defenseman and Salazar for a 1-0 lead.
Just 3:17 later, Florczyk scored his first goal, a short-hander, off a fine feed from Andrew McCatty, to make it 2-0 after one period.
Andrew McCatty stretched the lead to 3-0 at 15:30 of the second period, beating Salazar from in tight.
Providence finally got on the board at 12:22, when Vandenberg buried a rebound to cut the deficit to 3-1. Matt Iaciancio and Teddy Francis notched assists.
Sandburg, however, registered two straight goals — one by Tietz and the other by Saulters — before the third period ended for a 5-1 advantage. Tietz was a physical presence, landing several crushing checks.
A young Providence squad, which has nine freshmen and sophomores on its roster, never recovered.
“We had chances in the first and second periods, but we couldn’t put the puck in the net,” Providence coach Nick Iaciancio said. “We’re young, but that’s no excuse. We have to be tougher mentally.”
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