BROOKLYN, Ohio (Jan. 29, 2023) -- After some early-game offensive struggles in recent weeks, Rocky River lit the lamp three times in the first period of an eventual 5-3 victory over Greater Cleveland League Red Division foe Olmsted Falls Sunday.

The Pirates fell behind 1-0 two-and-a-half minutes into the contest at the John Coyne Recreation Center. But River rallied with three unanswered twine-finders before the game went into the second period. After a scoreless second period, the Pirates and Bulldogs equitably divvied four goals in the third, and Rocky River (15-10-3, 7-4 GCL Red) completed its two-game regular-season sweep of Olmsted Falls.

Michael Allen (goal, assist) and Tyler Fortune (1G, 1A) each registered two-point games to lead the Double-R. Freshman netminder Carter Rush stopped 13-of-16 shots between the pipes, Rocky River outshot Olmsted Falls 23-16.

The Pirates had scored just three first-period goals over their previous six games combined. Their first-frame trifecta marked their most goals in the first since Jan. 6 (six goals vs. Westlake).

Rocky River will close out its 2022-23 GCL slate and its regular season Saturday at Hamilton Ice Arena. The Pirates will take on the Benedictine Bengals in a 4 p.m. contest. The game will Senior Day for the Hilliard Boulevard Buccaneers.

by Skip Snow

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