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Essex Uses Four Goal Third Period to Roll Past Rutland 7-1

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Created on Monday, 20 February 2012 23:39

Written by George Commo

Unbeaten Hornets Extend Record to 17-0-1

Essex Junction --- The Essex Hornets scored four goals in a 4:13 explosion in the third period Monday afternoon, beating the Rutland Raiders 7-1 at the Essex Skating Facility.

Essex scored quickly in the first period, as co-captain Lucas Martin buried a powerplay goal just 1:16 in the game. They doubled their advantage when defenseman Pat Abbott scored on a point shot at 7:14, but they could not add anything further, despite outshooting the Raiders in the period 15-1.

The second period was a lot more even. Essex did extend their lead on a Luc LeBlanc goal at 2:09, but the Raiders responded with Dakota Wright banging in one of his two minutes later to cut the lead to 3-1. That was where it stayed for the rest of the period as the Raiders hung in ... Essex outshooting them for the period only 11-10.

But it all turned in the third ... freshman defenseman Joe Robertson started it for Essex at 5:02 giving the Hornets at 4-1 lead ... Nathan Nelson then finished off a Steve Jurkiewicz feed at 6:06 ... Steven Morse buried an Abbott rebound at 7:25 ... and Martin got his second of the game on a wrap around at 9:15. In total Essex outshot Rutland 17-2 in the third period and 43-13 for the game.

Pat Campbell made 12 saves in net for Essex. Casey Green was stellar in the cage for the Raiders before wearing down under the third period pressure.

With the win unbeaten Essex is now 17-0-1. The loss drops Rutland  to 8-10.