Tigers keep rolling

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CRYSTAL LAKE – The CCM Tigers continued their winning ways Friday night, defeating Huntley/Lake Zurich, 5-3, in Metro Central National Division play.

Despite being in fifth place, CCM has won six of its past eight games

The Tigers, who are 6-12-4 in division play, wrap up their Metro Central schedule today against Guerin.

“We’re stepping up at the right time,” coach John Lenzi said.

CCM, which consists of players from McHenry, Crystal Lake Central, Woodstock and Dundee-Crown, did a little bit of everything well. The Tigers outshot the Red Raiders, 27-20, and got timely goaltending from both their starting and backup goalies.

But the game’s turning point came with CCM ahead, 4-3, and about nine minutes to play in the third period.

Huntley (2-14-3 in division play) appeared to score the tying goal on a three-on-two break, only to have the goal disallowed. Several Huntley players crashed into CCM goalie Brian Hopfe at the end of the rush, causing him to sprawl backward into his own goal. During the collision, the puck crossed the goal line just inside the post by Hopfe’s stick side, but the goal was disallowed.

“That call could have gone either way,” Lenzi said.

Huntley too, was confused, and a bit disappointed.

“That fourth goal was in,” Huntley senior forward Brian Holappa said.

After the collision, Hopfe was shaken up and removed from the game as a precautionary measure, but Lenzi said Hopfe is expected to be OK.

Thirty seconds after the controversial call, CCM forward Kevin Smith scored his second goal of the game, making it 5-3.

CCM backup goalie Jesper Elfstrom stopped all four shots he faced in relief.

“We’re out to show people we’re not a pushover team,” said CCM senior and Crystal Lake Central student Richard Ridenour (goal, assist).

Before the third period, the game was a see-saw affair.

CCM led Huntley, 3-2, after a fast-paced first period. After a Huntley power play goal by Holappa made it 3-3 in the second, the Tigers scored on a blast from just inside the blue line by freshman Anthony Casaletto (two goals, assist) about three minutes later, which gave CCM the lead for good.