Bruins Fall Short to Kent in Title Game

Brunswick and Kent put on a great show of hockey for the full house at Hartong Rink on Sunday afternoon, with the Lions ultimately coming out on top by a score of 4-2 to capture the NEPSIHA Large School Tournament championship. 

The two teams felt each other out in the opening period -- both earning a few power play opportunities, including an extended 5 on 3 for the visitors -- but the 18 minutes ended without either squad finding the net.
 

Kent capitalized on a few loose pucks in the slot during the second stanza and netted the tilt's first two tallies. The 'Wick power play came up empty on a few chances despite having long possessions in the O-zone. 2-0 Kent after two.

There was no quit in the Bruins (emblematic of the entire season) and they clawed to within one on senior John Burdett's howitzer from the left flank on the PP. Twelve minutes on the clock -- momentum and the crowd on the Brunswick side. 

Unfortunately, though, the next few Brown and White chances stayed out -- and Kent put things nearly out of reach with two PPGs of its own.

With about three minutes to play, the Bruins pulled goaltender Brendan Holahan and kept playing -- kept putting the pressure on Kent. In fact, shots on goal in the third were heavily favored in 'Wick's direction -- as they were for the game at 36-22. Sophomore Luke Drury finished the day's scoring with 1:23 to go. 

The locker room is always an emotional place after losing the last game of the season. But the coaches emphasized that this one result doesn't define four months of hard work, camaraderie, and darn good hockey.

The Bruins conclude their campaign at 21-8-1.