VALENCIA FLYERS

After getting out the brooms for the Cap Thunder series to start out 3 -0 on the 2008/2009 WSHL season, the Flyers traveled down to Long Beach for a two game set with the Bombers.

“It’s a tough building to go into and win” said Flyers GM Larry Bruyere “We have always struggled to play consistently here and we’re pleased with this weekend’s results.” He went on to say. What he was referring to, was a two game sweep of the Bombers that has basically put the Flyers at the top of the pack early on in the Western States Hockey League this season.

Both games were very competitive as the Bombers were on top early 2 – 0 in the opener and the Flyers battled back to take that contest 5 -3. The Bombers went up early 2 – 0 with two outnumbered attack goals and were ahead 3 – 2 going into the third when Christian Starr, Daniel Chang and Tyler Gilmore each scored in the third to afford Valencia the victory.

The second game Vs The Bombers was just as tough as the Flyers battled to a 4 – 3 victory on goals from Monesi, Voogt, Chang and Allsion. Jackson Winkler was between the pipes for his first “W” of the year and he had many opportunities to show his athleticism as the Bombers were able to get more than 30 shots on goal and many of those shots were from point blank range.

The Flyers travel over to Phoenix for three games next week and will certainly be challenged there.

Last year’s Valencia Flyers opened up the season by sweeping The Capital Thunder and started the season winning five of their first six games. They didn’t finish as strong and they knew that the 2008/2009 version would have to not only start out hot, but finish hot as well if they were going to be successful in the play-offs.

Well, they got the start they wanted with a three game sweep of the same Capital Thunder team they swept a year ago and while they gave up 11 goals in the three games, they scores 19 goals in the process.

The line of Chang, Monesi and Voogt led the way in scoring by tallying 10 of the 19 goals scored over the weekend. Anthony Kendryna notched 4 of his own goals for the Flyers as his line was also very effective.

Goaltender Noble Tucker earned the “W” in nets for all three games as he started the first and third games and he came in while the Flyers were behind in the second game only to see his team rally from two goals down for the victory. “It was a team effort all weekend” said coach Hartly as he reflected on the trifecta. “Everyone in that locker room wants to win and it’s reflected in their play.”

The Flyers head to Lakewood for two against the Bombers this Fri and Sat (9/26 and 9/27) and are hoping to keep the streak alive against Long Beach who are 1 and 1 thus far on the season.

Nine goals were scored on Friday night and once the dust had settled, it was a 9-5 victory for the Valencia Flyers. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was definitely an exciting home opener” said Coach Hartly, as the Flyers took on the Capital Thunder from Sacramento to begin the 2008/2009 Junior A Tier III Hockey Season.

Daniel Chang was the local hero as he notched 4 goals and his line accounted for a total of 13 points as his linemates Andy Monesi and Brian Voogt added goals of their own. Noble Tucker was solid between the pipes as the Thunder wouldn’t go away all night. They took 43 shots on the Flyers netminder and as coach Hartly stated after the game. “This team is going to have to get a whole lot better defensively if we’re going to be successful this year”.

“Fourteen goals means a lot of good and bad things happened out there tonight,” said Coach Hartly, “but obviously we’re pleased with the results.”

The Valencia Flyers new coach Chris Hartly has made his final selections for roster spots for this year’s Flyers team. “While it is still a fluid situation as players and positions are still being manipulated, we like what we’ve seen so far” said coach Hartly.

The initial roster includes returning players: (F) Anthony Kendryna, (F) Brian Voogt, (F) Andrew Monesi, (F) Christian Starr, (D) Rich Bebo, (D) Thomas Regan, (D) Kyle Hall, (D) Corey Dinwiddie, (F) Tony Torossian, (G) Jackson Winkler and newcomers (F) Alex Jaeger, (F) Grant Doorn, (F) Daniel Chang, (F) Casey Howard, (D) Alex Brodetsky, (D) Chris Victoria, (D) Keddy Malcolm, (D) Nicholas Miner, (D) Kyle Bixler, (G) Noble Tucker, (G) Andrew Lux, (F) Justin Chondropoulos, (F) John Dove.

With nine returners, the Flyers are hoping to be competitive right out of the gate this year and it all starts the weekend of Sept. 19th, 20th and 21st Vs The Capital Thunder at The Flyers home Ice Station Valencia.