The Reeths-Puffer hockey team continued its early-season struggles on Friday night, falling 5-0 to Grandville at Griff’s Georgetown Ice Arena in Hudsonville.
The loss was the third in a row for the still-developing Rockets and dropped their record to 1-3 on the season. Grandville improved to 3-0.
The game was close through two periods.
R-P's Hayden Taylor (18) battles for the puck along the boards. Photo/John Willoughby
Grandville led 2-0 after one period following goals by Kobe Sterley and Luke DeBoer. The second period was scoreless.
The Bulldogs nailed down the victory with three goals in the third period, including one from Anderson Barnes and two from Jaxon Hopp.
“We came up short against a seasoned, veteran team, but our young group displayed impressive poise and growth,” said R-P head coach Bill Zalba. “The steps we took forward are going to pay off. In a short period of time, players are starting to buy in and find their roles within our team.
R-P's Eli Cuti (17) gets ready to pass. Photo/John Willoughby
“Trusting the process and coming to work each day is our goal. We don’t look in the rear view mirror. We take the lessons learned in each game and move forward. There is no other group I would prefer to go to war with than these 20 young men. I am thankful to be their leader and can’t wait to get back to work next week.
“Good things are in store for this group.”
Reeths-Puffer will next compete in a pair of games on Friday and Saturday at the Traverse City Showcase.
R-P's Rohan Moyer (15) fights to get to the puck. Photo/John Willoughby