CANTON – What looked as though it would be a defensive struggle turned into an offensive blowout as the Muskegon Jr. Jacks posted a 6-0 shutout over New England Nordiques Blue Saturday morning at the Canton Sports Plex in the Jr. A Elite Division.
Defense and goaltenders Mike DePhillips of the Jr. Jacks and Darryl Gross of the Nordiques took charge in the early goings. Nearly the entire first half elapsed before either team was able to break through, Steve Rutkowski putting Muskegon on the board at 21:14, the only goal of the half.
Similarly in the second half, it took some time for the scoring to get going, but once Dante Palecco notched his second of the tournament at 14:10, the rout was on. Collin Adams increasing the Jr. Jacks’ lead to 3-0 with his goal at 15:48.
The bulk of Muskegon’s damage was done in the final five minutes of the contest, where they doubled their score on the strength of a Garrett Hallford goal at 21:13 and then a pair from Tom Marchin just 18-seconds apart at 22:39 and 22:57.
Marchin led the game in scoring with two goals and two assists.