Cold, wet, windy and lacrosse, was the make-up for what
would turn out to be an exciting Saturday night on Crimson Field, at Logan High
School.
The classic Cache Valley rivalry of Logan vs. Sky View added
another chapter to its already historical series Saturday night, as Logan escaped with
a one goal victory 8-7, on the heels of junior goaltender Bryan Hamblin’s game-winning
save in the final seconds.
After a defensive battle in the first half with the score tied
2-2, things heated up for both teams in the second half as the teams traded
goals in the third quarter and Logan took a 6-5 lead heading into the fourth.
Just a few minutes into the fourth quarter Logan midfielder
Hunter Horsley slipped past his defender on the left wing and took it in for a
goal to take a 7-5 lead with 10 minutes left to play.
Sky View's Carson Gray would answer just a few minutes later
only to be followed up by another Horsley score with just five minutes left in
the game.
After a Logan penalty, Sky View would inch closer scoring in
the man-up situation to make it a one goal game heading into the final minute.
After Logan won the ensuing faceoff Sky View would force a quick
turnover, and in the skirmish Logan picked up another penalty, giving Sky View the
ball and a man advantage for the final possession of the game with an
opportunity to send it into overtime.
“We knew it was going to be close,” said Logan head coach
Clay Christoffersen. “We almost expected it to come down to the final possession
of the game.”
And it did.
Brock Halling caught a pass coming around the right side of
the goal with a one-on-one opportunity with Logan goaltender Bryan Hamblin and
was denied on the doorstep as his shot hit off of Hamblin’s stick and the game was
over.
“Hamblin was awesome, the guy just has a ton of heart,”
Christoffersen said. “I’m extremely happy for him.
Not only did Hamblin make the game-winning save, he had an
additional four saves in the final minute to help secure the win.
“I just knew that I had to make that save, I had to it for
the team and for the seniors,” Hamblin said. “The whole team just wanted to win
this game so much.”
Sky View head Coach Troy Oldham said that they got the look
that they wanted on the final play of the game.
“I mean everyone here saw it, we executed the play exactly
how we wanted to,” Oldham said. “The goalie just made a great play and the shot
bounced off of his stick.”
Despite the loss Oldham said that he extremely proud of the way
his team played.
“Sometimes losses kick you down and other times they kick
you forward, I think this will kick us forward,” Oldham said. “We believe in
our guys heading into the end of the season.”
Horsley led the Grizzlies with five goals on the night,
while Rio Thomas scored two and Kian Ben-Jacob had one goal. Sky View was led
by Brock Halling who scored two goals and Stockton Huskinson, Chase Roper, Kyle
Bland, Bryce Stuart and Carson Gray all had one goal apiece for the Bobcats.
Philip Cannell of Sky View finished with eight saves and
Bryan Hamblin had nine for Logan.
“It’s always nice to beat Sky View, but we have three more
games to go and then the playoffs,” Christoffersen said. “It’s a quick reload and
we’re back at it again come Monday against Fremont.”
Both Sky View and Logan will be back in action on Monday
April 27th. Sky View will take on Bonneville High School while Logan will play
Fremont High.