MONROE - According to coach Nate Brown, the Monroe Avalanche are headed in the right direction. The Avalanche hosted perennial power Madison Edgewood Friday night and hung tough with the Crusaders for much of the night. Edgewood ultimately pulled out the win, though, knocking off Monroe, 8-3.
"Edgewood got a few at the end that just shouldn't have happened," Brown said. "It was much closer than that score indicates. The guys never, ever quit."
Johnny Kallgren got Monroe off to a quick start, scoring just 14 seconds into the first period on an assist by Gus Werhane. The Avalanche also struck quickly in the second period, getting two goals within the first four minutes. Jarrett Warden scored on an assist from Kallgren 52 seconds into the second, and Jake Trickel scored a short-handed goal 3 minutes and 30 seconds into the period off an assist from TJ Parrent.
Brown said the Avalanche had a very solid all-around team effort.
"We have two strong forward lines," he said. "Our defense really backed each other up well. It always has to be about everyone on the team. They have a lot more faith in each other, and they are communicating a lot more now. They really work together."
Brown said that playing a tough team like Edgewood gives his team confidence going forward.
"We know that there's not another team this year that we can't stick with," he said. "The guys have really put it together, and we will be competitive in every game the rest of the year."
"Edgewood got a few at the end that just shouldn't have happened," Brown said. "It was much closer than that score indicates. The guys never, ever quit."
Johnny Kallgren got Monroe off to a quick start, scoring just 14 seconds into the first period on an assist by Gus Werhane. The Avalanche also struck quickly in the second period, getting two goals within the first four minutes. Jarrett Warden scored on an assist from Kallgren 52 seconds into the second, and Jake Trickel scored a short-handed goal 3 minutes and 30 seconds into the period off an assist from TJ Parrent.
Brown said the Avalanche had a very solid all-around team effort.
"We have two strong forward lines," he said. "Our defense really backed each other up well. It always has to be about everyone on the team. They have a lot more faith in each other, and they are communicating a lot more now. They really work together."
Brown said that playing a tough team like Edgewood gives his team confidence going forward.
"We know that there's not another team this year that we can't stick with," he said. "The guys have really put it together, and we will be competitive in every game the rest of the year."
