Jenks Beats Union for GTR Cup Title

Glenn Hibdon
GTR Sports Writer

Tournament Most Valuable Player Ganon McMains scored the winning goal in a shootout, fueling Jenks to a 4-3 victory over defending champion Union in the finals of the second annual GTR Cup Sunday at the BOK Center.

Union executed a flashy comeback, forcing extra time when Tristan Ressler scored from the right point with 12 seconds left. Somehow, the puck found its way through heavy traffic and past Jenks’ all-tourney goalie Mason O’Brien.

The shootout required four rounds with Kyle Messer scoring for Jenks and then Jason Small for the Redskins. McMains settled the issue, handing the Trojans a 2-1 nod in the shootout and revenge for losing to Union in the first round last season.

“How could I not be pleased?’’ said Jenks coach Brad McMains. “I know it’s disappointing for their kids to work so hard and lose in a shootout. There were no penalties in the game, it’s 21-19 in shots and it goes down to a shootout. There was a little action out there and it couldn’t have been a more even game.’’

Coach McMains said his team stuck to its game plan and his players didn‘t disappoint. Messer scored twice and forward Derrick Smith made the all-tournament team. Coleby Evans and Aaron Bell were selected for Union.

“We played better than I expected,’’ said Redskins coach Tom Karalis. “They played their hearts out and finally started listening to us (coaches). Yesterday Jenks didn’t have to hustle (in an 11-0 victory over the Tulsa Twisters), but today they knew Union would be coming after them. I’m proud of our guys and we have a good group of kids.’’

Jenks led 1-0 in the first period when Messer scored at 12:50. Union tied it in the second on Casey Neel‘s score following a nifty pass from Evans. But the Redskins didn’t fold and went up 2-1 after Evans beat a sprawling O’Brien, scoring into a gaping net.

Jenks again produced a knot 28 seconds into the third period on Smith’s breakaway. Almost five minutes later, Messer also converted on a breakaway, sending a backhand past the glove of Union goalie Chris Gil. Union pulled Gil with 1:16 remaining and the ploy worked, leading to Ressler’s goal that forced extra time.

JENKS 4, UNION 3 (shoot out)

Union 0 2 1 0 – 3

Jenks 1 1 1 1 – 4

FIRST PERIOD: 1, Messer (Hofmeister, Rodriguez-Reed), 12:50. Penalties-None.

SECOND PERIOD: 2,Union, Neel (Evans), 3:36. 3, Union, Evans (Neel, Bell), 11:14. Penalties-None.

THIRD PERIOD: 4, Jenks, Smith (Messer, McMains), :28. 5, Jenks, Messer (Smith, Noe), 5:20. 6, Union, Ressler (Neel), 12:48. Penalties-None.

SHOOTOUT: 7, Jenks, McMains.

Shots:
Union 5 8 6 0 – 19
Jenks 6 9 5 1 – 21

Saves:
Union-Gil 5 9 3 0 -17
Jenks-O’Brien 5 6 5 0-16

Updated 02-13-2012

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