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Connolly and Schmitz Lead Highlander Attack

By David Kadera, Ozaukee County News Graphic, 01/29/11, 10:57PM CST

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Sophomore and junior each score twice in win

Nothing like a couple of 4-1 victories to get your confidence back.

The Homestead Highlanders came up victorious at the Ozaukee Ice Center Saturday night, defeating the Sheboygan Red Raiders by the same score they defeated Kenosha the night before.

Not a bad way to forget about a loss to a conference rival.

The Highlanders got two-goal performances from sophomore Adam Connolly and junior Peter Schmitz to defeat the Sheboygan co-op team, who found scoring chances hard to come by.

Both teams squandered opportunites in the first period, with Homestead failing to take advantage of freshman goaltender Cam Scheuren losing his stick, and the Red Raiders hitting the post behind senior goalie Sam Morris.

The secod period was a different story.

Connolly got the ball, or puck, rolling with his tally less than 90 seconds in.

Connolly and junior Jake Roeper worked perfectly on a 2-on-1 as Roeper sent a pass from the goalie's left side across the ice just in front of the crease. Connolly just needed to re-direct the puck into the net, which he did, for the first Highlander goal of the evening at 1:26.

"He has great speed," said Schmitz of his linemate Connolly. "He's the fastest player on our team, it's a testament to how well our line works together."

Less than three minutes later, Connolly set up Schmitz in identical fashion, allowing his linemate to finish the job for a 2-0 Homestead advantage.

Sheboygan (10-12) got their goal in the third period when Morris tried to sweep away a shot from sophomore defenseman Avery Huibregtse, but the puck bounced over Morris's stick and into the net for the lone Red Raider score.

The goal was the lone blemish on Morris's night, as the senior goaltender stopped every other shot he faced.

"(Having a senior in goal) is huge," said Homestead Head Coach Chris Donovan. "Also, the defense around him. When our 'D' aren't letting them in close and they're breaking plays up, that helps Sammy out a ton."

Just over two minutes later, Homestead (15-4-2) answered.

Junior defenseman Evan Siodlarz sent a shot in on goal, only to have it deflected by Connolly, with the puck finding the net behind the goalie's right shoulder.

Schmitz added a fourth goal at 12:22 when he sent a seemingly innocent wrist shot on goal from between the circles, but with enough traffic in front of Scheuren, the puck found the net and Homestead had the clincher.

"We can put the puck in the net and skate around players," said Schmitz. "We're not the biggest team out there, we're not gonna hit anyone, but we're quick. We can wear teams down."

For the Highlanders, the past two games has just re-established what they knew to be already true: they were a good team, and it all starts with their senior goaltender.

"We have so much confidence in Sam," said Schmitz. "When he plays a good game, we play a good game. He's stepped up big time for us (this year)."

"He's really played well this past half of the year," added Connolly. "Earlier, we weren't able to put the puck in the net...Lately, he's been playing really well, and we work off that."

Sheboygan Head Coach Keith Bartholomaus made a special mention of Morris's efforts.

"Their goaltender shut us down tonight. The few chances we got, he stopped them. He's a great goaltender they've got over there."

From here on out, Homestead's goals are simple and, to be honest, a bit cliche. However, you can't argue with them.

Said Connolly: "Win the games that we can, put as many pucks in the net as we can."

Sounds simple enough.