While we are are sure that Head Coach Jacob Smulevitch would have wanted to see a different result, the Infantry again gave up a multiple goal lead with an extra attacker goal sending them to overtime. We are also sure that this team had some positives and things to build on. Here are some standouts from tonight, and a box score.

This team is fast, and skilled

Multiple times tonight, the Infantry battled back or ahead not because of their strength, but because of their skill and speed. This Premier team has the speed to compete with any team in the nation. While they haven’t won yet, it’s clear that the speed and compete are there as are the skill. Players like Dmitry Ignatov, Quinton Hernandez , and Tomas Filarmo all have speed in bunches and shots to match.

The physical elements are coming

This team will take some time to develop its systems and identity on defense. While they are great at checking to make plays, the team and systems driven stuff may take some time; not because they won’t out work teams, they play in a tough division as is, but because this team is still figuring out how to best play with one another. Their effort and resolve for all of their games has been there in spades. They will grow into the physical elements of their games.

Shot suppression will come

Although Ben Norton has played great at facing a high volume of shots, we think that he and Infantry coaches would have liked to see him face some less shots in his first couple of junior games. As the physical play gets more systemic over time, more shots will not take place, allowing goaltenders the ability to make more rebound saves and gobble up more shots up front compared to fighting slam dunk put backs all night.

All of this is to say, credit Smulevitch and the Infantry for building a program in a few months. So far they have two points in five games and a lot of quick experience gained. They have another chance to respond tomorrow, and the staff will get to see how this team deals with adversity with quick turnarounds at the showcase. How this premier group respond goes a long way to determining their future this season.

Box score

Columbia Infantry 4 at Motor City Gamblers 5 (SO) – Status: Unofficial Final SO
Thursday, September 22, 2022 – Chilled Ponds Sentara Healthcare Rink

Columbia Infantry 2 2 0 0 – 4
Motor City Gamblers 0 1 3 0 – 5

1st Period-1, Columbia Infantry, Miltko 2 (Filoramo), 15:43. 2, Columbia Infantry, Filoramo 3 (Shaffer), 16:42 (PP). Penalties-Czech Mcg (elbowing), 12:01; Ott Mcg (high-sticking), 16:10.

2nd Period-3, Columbia Infantry, Filoramo 4 (Fisher, Gorman), 12:26. 4, Motor City Gamblers, Zatelli 1   12:56. 5, Columbia Infantry, Filoramo 5 (Fisher, Ignatov), 14:19 (PP). Penalties-Mullins Mcg (holding), 13:31; Andersen Cinf (interference), 15:38.

3rd Period-6, Motor City Gamblers, Wilson 1 (Zatelli, Tkaczuk), 10:41. 7, Motor City Gamblers, Sherman 1 (Koza, Ott), 12:02. 8, Motor City Gamblers, Canady 1 (Mullins, Tkaczuk), 19:40. Penalties-Weimer Mcg (roughing), 5:54; Ignatov Cinf (cross-checking), 6:12; Miltko Cinf (hooking), 16:32.

1st OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Tkaczuk Mcg (tripping), 0:46.

Shootout – Columbia Infantry 2 (Glamkowski G, Shaffer NG, Coots G, Ignatov NG, Filoramo NG), Motor City Gamblers 3 (Bell G, Mullins G, Wilson NG, Boyer NG, Zatelli G).
Shots on Goal-Columbia Infantry 16-6-2-3-0-27. Motor City Gamblers 8-13-9-2-1-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Columbia Infantry 2 / 5; Motor City Gamblers 0 / 3.
Goalies-Columbia Infantry, Norton 0-0-1-1 (32 shots-28 saves). Motor City Gamblers, Anderson 1-1-0-0 (27 shots-23 saves).
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Referees- .
Linesmen- .

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