The St. Anthony’s Friars played their last regular season game against Fordham Prep on Tuesday, February 5th at the Dix Hills Ice Rink, looking to continue their hot streak. The last 9 games saw the Friars come away with a 7-0-2 record. Heading into tonight’s action, the Friars clinched the 1st seed which gives them home ice advantage in the playoffs.
The game opened up with the Friars taking an early penalty. The Friars penalty kill has played extremely well this year and tonight was no different. They forced a turnover and skated up ice as forwards Sr. Pat Allen and Jr. Luca Mandato broke into the Fordham Prep zone. Allen made a great pass to Mandato who fired it home for the short handed goal to give SA an early 1-0 lead. The game would remain tight until late in the first period when So. Carmine Pitelli made a great pass to So. Jake Manfre who redirected it for the goal extending the Friars lead. Coach Lund said, “Jake is an excellent player who plays a strong overall game and is currently leading us in points.”
After a scoreless second period the Friars skated onto the ice looking to extend their lead and end their regular season with a win. However it was Fordham Prep who came out on the attack but goalie Sr. Joe Sciaretta was up to the task. Sciaretta stated, “Our defense played really well tonight helping limit their chances, overall the team played a real solid game just really helping me out.” With Sciaretta playing well between the pipes it allowed the Friars to focus on getting a goal to put the game out of reach.
That goal would come when So. Jake Manfre would net his second of the game on the powerplay. Manfre said, “It was a great shot by Bobby Lane from the point and I was able to find the rebound in front and backhand it off the post and in.” Fordham Prep would break up the shutout with just 2 minutes left. The Friars would go on to win the game 3-1. Sciaretta finished the game making 17 saves.
The Friars finished the regular season 11-2-2, a huge turn around from last season where the team finished just 8-5-4. Coach Lund credits the turn around to getting contributions from everyone on the team and outstanding goaltending play all season long. The team is set for a rematch with Fordham Prep as they open up the first round of the playoffs on Thursday February 13th at the Dix Hills Rink, game two on Feb. 20th away and game 3 Feb. 25th 6:30pm at Dix Hills Rink. Come out to support the Friars on what hopes to be another championship run.
Alex Rocco is a senior at St. Anthony’s High School, writing for his fourth year with the Friar Scoreboard. He plans to study Sports Communications in college and pursue a career in Sports Media. He is also a member of NHS, SALT, Friar Faithful, Special Needs Ministry and Franciscan Youth Ministry.
