Hockey: Providence shuts out Benet
By Scott Ehling For Sun-Times Media December 23, 2012 9:34PM
Providence's Jordan Ernst shoots for a goal against Benet during Sunday's game at the Southwest Ice Arena in Crestwood. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 25, 2013 6:11AM
Providence forward Mike Vennetti scored two goals and goalie Justin Salazar turned away all 19 shots he faced to power the Celtics to a 3-0 victory over visiting Benet on Sunday night in the Catholic League.
Providence forward Jordan Ernst added a goal and an assist.
Providence outshot Benet 30-19 and used aggressive forechecking to create multiple quality scoring chances against the Redwings.
“We attack in all three zones because we are not a big team and we are still pretty young,” Providence coach Nick Iaciancio said. “We’re about skating and trying to create turnovers.”
After failing to capitalize on an early power play, Providence (33-6-4) got on the board when Vennetti re-directed an Ernst shot from the point past Benet goalie Kevin O’Hara with 11:02 left in the first period.
“Getting that first goal was big because we were down so many guys and I was unsure how we were going to be chemistry-wise,” Iaciancio said.
Benet (10-3-2-1) had its best scoring chance with 8:10 left in the second period. Forward Patrick Hodgman’s breakaway resulted in a shot going just wide of the net against Salazar.
“Our defense has really been stepping it up as of late, and it was great to get the win,” Salazar said.
A roughing penalty to Benet’s Declan McGuire was followed by another Redwing penalty with 4:54 remaining in the second period that gave Providence a 5-on-3 advantage for almost a full minute, and Vennetti made Benet pay. Vennetti’s power-play goal off an O’Hara rebound gave the Celtics a 2-0 lead with 4:22 left in the period.
“Getting that second goal was huge for us,” Vennetti said. “We’re playing some good hockey now and we just have to keep it up.”
Ernst’s power-play goal put the Celtics up 3-0 and came as the second-period horn sounded.
“Our kids didn’t react well, and when we lost some of our composure that’s when some of those goals happened,” Benet coach Andrew Schlie said.
