By Jim Smith

Correspondent

A shutout performance by Kenston Bombers’ goaltender Logan Linsz eliminated the Kent Roosevelt ice hockey team from the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League’s (GCHSHL) Baron Cup II tournament in Brooklyn on Thursday.

Linsz entered the game with a 92.5 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average.

The junior netminder stopped each of the Rough Riders’ 40 shots during Kenston’s 3-0 victory.

“It was a statement game for him (Linsz),” Kenston head coach Tom Moores said after the game. “As a coach, having confidence, I am through the roof with him in the net. He showed why tonight.”

“A goalie can make or break it,” offered Roosevelt head coach Brad Edwards while discussing Linsz’s efforts. “He’s a great goaltender. Fundamentally sound. He did a great job.”

Prior to the tournament matchup, Roosevelt (20-8 overall, 7-1 GCHSHL White South ) won the White South Division of the GCHSHL and had defeated Kenston during their previous two matchups this season.

“Everybody is prepared to give you their absolute best, and we were prepared. It was just two bad breaks, a bad (defensive) zone coverage and a bad faceoff where they got a break away,” offered Edwards.

Moores said the message to his team prior to the game was, “Quiet, hard, stay out of the (penalty) box. Keep them quiet. That was the difference in the last couple of games — we couldn’t match their energy. Tonight, we did the job and stuck to our game plan.”

Kenston senior captain, Gavin Rowell netted a pair of goals in the contest, while Reece Newpher capped the win with an empty-net goal with 1:47 remaining in the third period.

“We look to Gavin for leadership on and off the ice,” Moores declared. “He doesn’t get many line changes. Lots of ice time. His conditioning is fantastic for him to be able to do that. He’s just a big-time player. If there’s anyone I want on the ice the last 2 minutes of the game, it’s him. He came through us for sure.”

The Rough Riders now turn their attention to the OHSAA tournament.

“We just have to turn the page, bounce back and hopefully make a little run,” Edwards said.

BLUE LINE NOTES

• Roosevelt, a No. 7 seed, begins OHSAA tournament play at the Kent State Ice Arena on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 12:15 p.m. Their opponent will be determined after games played in earlier rounds.
• The White Division title was the first championship in six years for the Rough Riders’ program.
• Roosevelt has won three Baron Cup tournaments in the past.
• You can follow Jim Smith on X @BlueLineNotes