News

March 9, 2002

Raptors 3 - MCYH Devils 2

The Raptors finished the tournament in style with John Mosca picking up two more goals assisted by Bradley Denton and Darren McGuire. Doug Clayton added the additional goal.
Also Congratulations to The Raptors as they took the Silver medal in the skills competition.

March 9, 2002

Raptors 7 - NB Thundercats 1

The Raptors came out passing and John Mosca picked up a career high 4 goals with Connor Crooks adding a goal and Doug Clayton adding 2 more.

March 8 ,2002

Webster 5 - Raptors 0

The Raptors were blanked by the Leagues top team Friday night. The Raptors needed more team play and passing to fair beter vs. the League champion team. Luc Lemoncelli did his best with many high quality saves against a much stronger Webster team.

March 7, 2002

Starz 5 - Raptors 2

Scottsville, NY: The Raptors were blitzed Thursday night in the MCIA March Maddness Tournament. The matchup featured the two MCIA mite 'A' teams. Unfortunately for the Raptors, the Starz future olympian Ashley did her best Lindsey Wall impression. She out skated, out passed and out shot the Raptor boys.
Editorial: It is just not fair to let these girls play in the same league as the boys. The girls are much more skilled and the boys just cannot keep up. Most of these girls are destined to become olympic hopefuls as the Scottsville area is becoming a cradle for olympic talent.

February 23, 2002

Blues 2 - Raptors 1

Batavia, NY: The Raptors suffered their most disappointing defeat of the season in the Mite Division A playoffs. Both teams came out slow in the first period. The Blues drew first blood half way through the second period. The Raptors then came alive skating hard and getting a break away goal from Doug Clayton. The Raptors continued a good onslaught on the Blues getting many shots but failing to find the back of the net. Unfortunately the Blues would score the next and final goal of the game. Despite a great effort from the Raptors they failed to capitalize on many shots and break aways with the Blues goaltender and defense doing an outstanding job.

February 16, 2002

Parents 5 injuries - Raptors 0 injuries (5 upset feelings)

Scottsville, NY:
Emergency room visit - $150
Bandage for head - $10
Bottle of Jack Daniels - $20
Beating your son at Hockey - Priceless.

February 15, 2002

Rochester, NY: Raptors entertain crowd at Amerks game. The Raptors had the opportunity to skate at the War Memorial Friday night. Unfortunately the ice was covered with so much snow that the puck barely moved. This caught the boys off guard and their attempts to pass and clear the puck failed. An opportunistic Lakeshore team was able to score three goals on our boys. However, the evening was salvaged when the Amerks made a thrilling come from behind victory and the boys celebrated by stripping the shirts from their bodies.

February 14, 2002

Raptors 3 - Cyclones 1

Webster, NY: The Raptors got into playoff form in a convincing victory over the Cyclones. Doug Clayton continued his offensive dominance scoring all three goals and recording yet another hat trick. The team played well with only two lines. Coach Kelley is tuning the boys up for the playoffs the weekend of the 23rd.

February 5, 2002

Raptors 4 - Hartmans Team 4

Article by: Jeff Harrington
Scottsville, NY: The goals were scored by Kyle (unassisted), Doug(assisted by Alex), John Mosca(assisted by Kyle), and Conner(unassisted). We were up 2-0 in the beginning of the game, then we let them tie it up. We exchanged goals until it was 4-3. At less than 1:30 left in the third, we let them tie it 4-4. Both teams goaltenders were outstanding and kept both teams in the game.


February 2, 2002

Raptors 6 - Knights 4

Canandaigua, NY: The Raptors were in the All Star spirit in Canandaigua Saturday scoring 6 goals against the Knights. Several players made behind the back passes and great plays reminiscent of the NHL all-star game to be played later in the day. Kyle Murray was the brightest star scoring the hat trick with inspired play. Dougie Clayton added two goals and John Mosca another. The Raptors had the highest team assist total of the season with Alex Greywitt getting two and Connor Crooks, Kurt Melvin and Bradley Denton adding one apiece.

January 19, 2002

Perinton Sabres 3 - Monroe County Raptors 2

Scottsville, NY: Saturday yielded another dissapointing loss for the Raptors. The team managed to hold on to a 0-0 tie through the first period with exceptional goal tending from Luke. In the second period the Raptors continued to struggle to clear the puck from their own zone and gave up a goal on a shot from just inside the blue line which was deflected. The Sabres scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0. The Raptors came back with a wrap around goal from Doug. The Sabres added another break away goal, taking advantage of their hangers to make it 3-1. The Raptors then came back with and a goal from Kyle to make it 3-2. Unfortunately time expired as the Raptors applied a last flury of offensive pressure.

January 12, 2002

Webster Cyclones 2 - Monroe County Raptors 2

Webster, NY: The Raptors came out gunning for the Cyclones Saturday. The boys looked like the corollary to last Saturdays effort, skating hard and firing at the net. The momentum quickly shifted with Webster picking up two weak goals as the Raptor defense lapsed in the first period. The next two periods saw great defense and good offensive pressure. The Raptors got back in the game with a great centering pass from Doug "I just got new hockey pants and no one in the crowd recognized me" Clayton to Caleb Follmer. The Raptors then tied the game with a break away goal by John "Top Shelf" Mosca. The Raptors continued to play well but kept getting hauled down to the ice by the Cyclones. I havn't seen this much tripping since the 60's. After coach Clayton gently reminded the referees that tripping is a penalty in ice hockey, the Cyclones were whistled three times. However, the Cyclones picked up a shorthanded goal and the Raptors failed to convert on the power play. A great effort by the entire team to come from a two-goal deficit to tie.

January 6, 2002

Webster Cyclones 3 - Monroe County Raptors 1

Shaking off the tinsel from the Holidays the Raptors came out a little slow after eating all their Christmas candy. Never the less, the Raptors showed heart in staying with one of the leagues best teams for a period and a half. John Mosca scored the only goal for the Raptors on a great breakaway, going top shelf on the Cyclone goalie. After this goal, the Raptors could not get anything going offensively. The Rators also had trouble getting the puck out of their own end, which gave the Cyclones too many scoring opportunities, despite several spectacular glove saves by Luke. Coach Kelly said not practicing over the Holidays really hurt and the kids just need more ice time. However, the Raptors will rebound and be ready for the Cyclones come playoff time.

December 22, 2001

Raptors 1 - Maple Leafs 1

An intense game from the start the fans could see much improvement in the Raptor's passing game. Heads were up and communication was strong. All players contributed in moving the puck forward in a great show of teamwork.

In the second period two penalties against the Raptors only intensified their game. The period was in the final minute when Raptors' Alex Greywitt assisted Doug Clayton in the first goal of the game.

In the third period the Raptors continued skating hard against the No. 1 ranked team in the league. In the brief moments during a Raptors'line change, Maple Leaf players #15 and #1 took advantage of open ice and scored.

Luke Lemoncelli was applauded by fans and teammates for an outstanding game! Two plays in particular stood out. The first was in the remaining four minutes of the second period, and the second in the closing minute of the game. Lemoncelli defended the Raptors' goal against not one, but two opponents each time. He did an awesome job closing-off their shooting anlges!



December 15, 2001

Raptors 2 - Canadiens 2

Perinton, NY: The Raptors continued their bombardment of the net on Saturday, easily outshooting the Canadiens by a huge margin. Once again, despite great efforts from the entire team, the Raptors could only find the back of the net twice. Doug Clayton had a break away goal and pounded in a rebound from Kurt Melvins' shot. The Canadiens had two break away goals. All the Raptors played well and should be proud of their effort. The Raptors return to home ice next Saturday at Noon at MCIA.

December 8, 2001

Raptors 1 - Ramparts 1

Scottsville, NY: The Raptors played their best game of the season but only managed to come away with 1 point Saturday at MCIA. In the first period, the Raptors outshot the Ramparts a bazilion to one but could not find the back of the net. Unfortunately, a late period breakaway allowed the Ramparts center to beat Luke as time expired in the period. The Raptors played their best team hockey ever with great passing from everyone. Coach Kelly was pleased with the effort and said this tie is as good as a win.
The Raptors now embark on a grueling road trip playing Perinton at Thomas Creek next Saturday at 1:15 pm. A few tickets are still available for the game, so Lukes grandmother better call ticketmaster before the game sells out.

December 1, 2001

Raptors 6 - Knights 0

The Raptors returned to their winning ways Saturday afternoon at the Canandaigua ice arena. Luke Lemoncelli picked up his fourth shutout of the season. He was only tested twice as the Raptor defense was solid for the entire game. Doug Clayton even lost his stick and kept playing defense along the boards.

The Raptors played thier best team hockey this season. Passing, breaking out and avoiding offsides and icing were keys to the Raptors domination of the Knights. Most goals were the result of great passing with Jon, John Mosca, Alex Greywitt, and Conner Crooks picking up assists. Kurt Melvin picked up his first goal of the season on a great shot to the weak side of the Canandaigua goalie.

Coach Kelly said he was so happy his face hurt from Smiling.

November 25, 2001

Sabres 6 - Raptors 2

The Raptors ended a grueling tournament Saturday with a loss to the Perinton Youth Sabres. The Sabres played a very physical game punctuated by many hooks and shoves. Unable to overcome the physical play of the Sabres, the Raptors managed only 2 goals. Doug scored a great break away goal for the Raptors assisted by Connor, while Caleb scored a nice goal off a great pass from newcomer Nick.

November 24, 2001

Raptors 0 - Eagles 0

The Raptors played another thriller Saturday afternoon. Attempting to avenge their loss to the Eagles, the Raptors pulled out all the stops against their arch nemesis. Patrick Roy like goal tending by Luke Lemoncelli led to a tieing effort against the Eagles. Luke picked up his third shutout and received the MVP for the game. At press time the Raptors had the points lead in the tournament and face the Perinton Youth Sabres tomorrow at 3:30 PM at MCIA in the final regular game of the tournament. Tickets are still available for the game so come on out and cheer your Raptors past the Sabres.

November 24, 2001

Raptors 6 - Panthers 0

At the first game of the Monore County Youth Classic the Raptors came out and played great team hockey in blanking the Rochester Youth Panthers. Luke Lemoncelli picked up his second shutout of the season behind solid defense from Connor Crooks and Cam Witthuhn. Caleb Follmer picked up his first goal of the season along with two assists. Kyle Murray added another goal and an assist. Other goals were scored by Doug Clayton, Jon, and John Mosca. Newcomer Nick Gorino called up from the farm team for the tournament took the MVP honors.



November 18, 2001

Raptors--2, Eagles (MCYH #11)--5

It was a tough game for the Raptors--pandemonium in front of the defending goal and down one in less than two minutes into the first period. Defenseman Connor Crooks and offensemen Doug Clayton and Kyle Murray played strong for three full periods.

In the second period the Eagles again started strong with two additional goals in the first two minutes and a third late in the period. As Kyle Murray moved the puck on a breakaway, The Raptors' first goal seemed inevitalbe. But, an offsides call would lose their advantage. Luke Lemoncelli worked hard under the pressure of successive shots on goal.

The Raptors saw no relief in the third period as the Eagles continued offensive pressure. However, Kyle Murray was able to place two pucks in the net on breakaways. At 16 shots against the Raptors, to their 14 attempts on the Eagles' keeper, the Raptors proved to work hard and keep focused on moving the puck forward! The Raptors effort and spirit was STRONG!


November 17, 2001

RAPTORS WIN AGAIN

WHAT A GAME! The Raptors beat team #8 from Geneseo 3-1! All three goals were scored in the first period; first, by Dane Harrington from the red line, second, by Kyle Murray with an assist from Alex Greywitt, and thirdly, by Doug Clayton with and assist from Jon. In the closing seconds of the second period the Raptors were putting offensive pressure on their opponents' keeper when a Geneseo player stole the puck scoring in a breakaway. Although Geneseo applied consistent pressure/had opportunity, "luck" and skill were in the Raptors corner. The pressure the Raptors applied was rewarded in scores and many shots on goal from many players. Two penalties in the second period against Geneseo for tripping and hooking. However, it seemed these power plays only intensified the player-short Geneseo team! The third period promised another intense and exciting game. Players were all out . . . even falling over their own teammates. Both teams continued shooting on goal. What an exciting game!

Coach Kelly praised the team for their passing but said they still need some work here and to also work on their breakout.


November 11, 2001
Raptors start season strong

Raptors 5, Eagles 0.

Coming off a dissapointing pre-season the Raptors gave it all they had with a convincing win against the Brockport Eagles Saturday.
Doug Clayton had a career game against the Eagles Saturday afternoon. Doug collected the hat trick in the third period with a nifty wrister to beat the Brockport goalie. He added a feather to his cap later in the third period with another goal with Conner Crooks and Kurt Melvin picking up assists. John Mosca added a fifth goal late in the third. Outstanding on defense for the Raptors were Bradley Denton and Kyle Murray. Both foiling the Eagles on several break away attempts. Lucas Lemoncelli was unbeatable in goal picking up his first shutout in as many starts.

Coach Melvin said his players skated well but needed to pass more. Melvin said "To beat a fast skating team you need to pass". Next game is Saturday at MCI against Geneseo.

Note to parents: I will make sure to get all the kids names into these news reports over the course of the season.