The Troy Trojan Hockey team was playing at South Metro in the first round of the upper bracket of the South West Ohio High School Hockey League tournament and were taking on the 3rd seeded Elk of Centerville. The two teams had played twice before and had split the games. On this day, the Elks would knock off the Trojans 3-1.
The first period was tight as both teams skated hard with Troy controlling the play in their offensive zone. With only 2:57 left in the first Prestyn Hoefler hit a streaking AJ Noll as he split the defenders and was off to the races. The Elk goalie tried to stick check Noll, but he just skated past him for the score. The celebration was short lived as the Elk scored on the next shift to knot it up at 1-1.
The second period was a very exhausting one for Troy with 3 penalties that caused a five minute power play and then an additional penalty that caused a five on three. Troy's penalty killers did an exceptional job keeping the Elk from getting a good look at the goal and Cory Neff in the goal was a wall. Despite the lack of Troy players on the ice, Troy still was able to keep the shot number close only being outshot 6-2 in the period, but more importantly kept the Elk puck out of the net.
The third was one of those that started well, but did not end well for Troy. The Trojans could not stay out of the box and forced another full two minute five on three with just under 7 minutes to go. Things were looking good, but just as the penalty was about to end, the Elk found a man all alone on the back door for an easy score with just 5:17 to go in the game. Troy then allowed the third and final goal by the elk with 3:11 to go. The Trojans were being called for way too many penalties and it was wearing the players down with special teams on the ice too much. Finally with 1:17 to go in the game, Troy pulled their goalie and the Elk were called for a penalty giving Troy a 6 on 4. Troy had issues controlling the puck but did get 3 or 4 shots off, but just could not get them on goal. The final buzzer sounded with the Elk on top 3-1.
Cory Neff was in the goal and stopped 16 of 19 shots. Noll had 1 goal and Hoefler had 1 assist.
The Trojans were ranked 16th out of 28 teams in the Columbus District and will play Kilbourne on Friday Feb. 19th at the Ice Haus in Columbus at 6:30 pm.
Troy Girls Basketball
The Trojans were off last week, and after taking a bye in the first round of the sectionals, they return to action tonight against Beavercreek at Wayne High School, tipoff at 6 p.m.