The Friars drew on their 7th straight win of the ‘19-’20 season in the match vs Chaminade on Friday 1/31 at Dix Hills Ice Rink. The boys put up a good brawl by pushing themselves harder than usual for the big game against SA’s number one rival, the Flyers. During a series of intense plays, the crowd absorbed the magnitude of this energetic and physically aggressive Friday night game. They really got fired up when a dramatic fight broke out after the mark of the last minute at the end!
Sr. goalie Anthony Russo started out the game in the net, prepared for shots on the fly but as soon as the 1st period opened a penalty was made on Friars Jr. defense James Penzavecchia setting the tone. The Friars rev up to not let their guard down, by icing up the puck as a response to the Friars’ opponent enhancing the pressure on SA. The physical hostility rises as Chaminade makes the first goal (1-0) with 9:40 left in the period. As an act of recovery, Russo plays an impressive save before Friars Sr. forward Pat Allen ties up the game 1-1, following some strife on scoring from our side, going into the last few minutes of the period.
After the start of the 2nd quarter, a penalty is called on Chaminade with 7:53 left on the clock before SA Manfre scores a go-ahead goal, which is made with an assist by Sr. defense Jack Barone, leaving the game at 2-1. Friars Sophomore forward John Castronovo scores with an assist by Brienza, making the game 3-1. Next, Russo dives out in front of the net to make another save before the last 5 minutes of the period.
Then, on a breakaway, Chaminade cuts straight through the commotion and scores 3-2 against the Friars. SAHS Jr. forward Ryan Sheflin makes a shot tipped in by Allen with 2:40 remaining, marking the game 4-2 Friars. Lastly, a penalty is made against Jr. defense Ryan DeSousa for cross checking. DeSousa emerges from the box, like a cat coming in for the kill, right for a shot which just misses the net with 26 seconds left.
With 8:56 minutes left in the final period, the Friars still leading 4-2, both teams dabble as they become restless and slightly weary on the account of the high intensity each team is playing with. Russo comes up big, successfully saving the puck against unexpected shots. Then, a questionable penalty is called on Barone with only a little over 5 and a half minutes left before DeSousa unfortunately is sent back to the penalty box. In the meantime, Friars Coach Lund calls a time out to organize defense.
With 2 SA players in the box, a 5 on 3 is called on Chaminade for 25 seconds. Another ambiguous penalty, called through a myriad of offsides, is made against the Friars. However, we push on by icing the puck and Chaminade pulls their goalie as Russo makes a huge stick save with an impeding span of less than 2 minutes ticking away on the shot clock. Right after a time out is called at 1:46, Chaminade has 6 players off of the ice, playing with an empty net, and still rallies out to score with 11 seconds remaining. An abrupt fight which breaks out against the wall, finalizes the game which ends on a score of 4-3, a glorious win for the Friars!! Let’s go!!!
Mark your calendars to come cheer on your skating Friars in the Playoffs. Find playoff dates at https://friarathletics.org/main/teamschedule/id/3748529/seasonId/4518509
Heather Occhino is a senior at St. Anthony’s, writing for her second year for Friars Media. She is also a member of Creative Writing Club, Special Needs Ministry, Chorus and Theatre Arts. She plans to major in English for college and become a journalist.
