Mona Shores shuts out Jenison, advances to Division 1 regional finals

LocalSportsJournal.com

The Mona Shores hockey team kicked off its post-season play with a convincing 5-0 shutout of Jension at Patterson Ice Arena in Grand Rapids on Monday.

The win advances the Sailors to the Division 1 regional finals on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. They will play the winner of Tuesday’s matchup between Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and Traverse City Central.

Brooks Robinson carries the puck out of the defensive zone. Photo/Eric Sturr

Mona Shores entered the game with a 1-1 record against Jenison this season. The last matchup between the two teams resulted in a 4-3 loss for the Sailors. So Monday’s playoff opener had the Sailors preparing for Jenison’s best hockey.

The Sailors (15-11) raced away with the victory, scoring four goals in the first nine minutes of the game. Zach Leibrandt’s opening goal, just three minutes into the contest, kicked off Mona Shores’ hot start.

Jack Reelman put Mona Shores into a commanding 3-0 lead with back-to-back tallies less than two minutes apart. The first of Reelman’s tallies came on a break-away cut that found him alone for a back handed shot into the back of the net

Jake Nanna concluded the Sailors’ scoring in the first period with a wrist shot that went top corner.

Nico Taylor put in the final goal for Mona Shores with three minutes left in the second period.

The Sailors’ defense held the rest of the way, staving off a number of odd-man rushes by Jenison in the third period.

Penalty kill was also a key for Mona Shores keeping the door closed on Jenison in the third period. The Sailors held strong against the Wildcats, giving up four penalties in the final period.

Mona Shores was led in goal by Oliver McDonald with nine saves. The Sailors posted 20 shots on goal in the win.