Capo United doesn’t let Div. 2 get away

Capo United Kelso Bradshaw took the championship cup away from Gavin Grace to give the trophy a kiss after their victory over Corona Norco Tuesday.
Capo United celebrated its victory over Corona Norco in the championship game Tuesday.
Capo United goalie Connor Duffy makes a save during Tuesday's game against Corona Norco.
Capo United Austen Caronia checks Corono Norco's Nathan Chavez during Tuesday's game.
Capo United Michael Boutoussov takes a shot on goal during Tuesday's game against Norco United Tuesday.
Capo United goalie Connor Duffy was screened in front of the net but made the stop against Corona Norco Tuesday.
Capo United's Travis Gebauer reaches up to bat down a puck during Tuesday's game against Corona Norco.
Capo United Joey Voyles reaches out to stop a shot with his hand during Tuesday's game against Corona Norco.

By Nathan Percy | Orange County Register

March 16, 2016 at 2:16 a.m.

ANAHEIM – Most of Capistrano United’s players remembered the feeling from last year.

Determined not to let another title opportunity slip away, the Coyotes were relentless against Corona-Norco, firing 45 shots on goal.

While only two shots went in, it was enough for the Coyotes, who won the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League Division 2 title with a 2-0 win Tuesday night at Honda Center.

“It’s a relief after last season,” forward Mike Boutoussov said. “They came out a lot harder than we expected, but we hung in there, got a couple goals and played strong defense.”

Boutoussov (Dana Hills) scored the winner 2:42 into the second period off a pass from John Pratt, who collected the loose puck in the neutral zone.

Late in the period, Travis Gebauer knocked in a loose puck in front to double the lead to 2-0. Austin Caronia and Greg Lee were credited with assists.

“It gave us a little bit of room to breathe,” Coyotes coach Jean Labbe said. “I thought we did a good job of being disciplined in the third (period) and we benefitted from power plays, if anything, to kill time off the clock.”

Capistrano United (14-2-1) kept the pressure on Corona-Norco goaltender Kyle Hornock throughout. Hornock made 41 saves.

That pressure limited opportunities for the Stingrays (10-8-0) at the other end. Capistrano United marked Corona-Norco forward Jeremy Van Dyke each time he was on the ice.

Coyotes goalkeeper Connor Duffy made 14 saves.

“Hornock is a phenomenal goalie,” Labbe said. “We wanted to watch out for Van Dyke. He had a hat trick in the semifinals and he’s a goal-scorer. Our defense did a good job of keeping him off the board.”

Capistrano United’s Jack Lippis had a pair of chances late in the third period, but saw one shot hit the crossbar and another bounce off the right post.

The Coyotes will play a Freeway Series game against the champion of the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League, an eight-team league that wraps up its season on Saturday.

In Division 3:

St. John Bosco 9, Edison 1: Charley Lowe scored an even-strength goal to give the No. 3 Chargers a 1-0 lead, but No. 1 St. John Bosco took over from there, scoring nine consecutive goals to win the inaugural ADHSHL Division 3 title.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2247 or npercy@ocregister.com