Avengers stifle Pats en route to shutout

By Matt Metcalf
Posted 2/16/16

Despite playing well defensively, the Pilgrim boys’ hockey team failed to generate any offense, as the Pats dropped their fifth consecutive game, 3-0, to East Greenwich on Thursday afternoon. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Avengers stifle Pats en route to shutout

Posted

Despite playing well defensively, the Pilgrim boys’ hockey team failed to generate any offense, as the Pats dropped their fifth consecutive game, 3-0, to East Greenwich on Thursday afternoon.

Pilgrim kept the game close throughout, with the two teams ending the first period scoreless. However, goals from Paul Dunwoody and John Ferguson in the second period and a security tally from Ferguson in the third, would be all the Avengers would need.

After a hot start for Pilgrim, posting the first three shots on net in the game, East Greenwich found its skating legs late in the first period and carried that momentum into the second and third frames.

“We came out with a purpose, we wanted to right our ship,” Pilgrim head coach Stephen Henn said. “Unfortunately, the scoreboard didn’t reflect the result that we wanted it to reflect, but we’re worried about how we play. That’s been a theme all year. We have a chance to win every game, we just have to bring it every day.”

But even with Pilgrim showing its best early, East Greenwich junior netminder Jake Horoho was up to the task, turning aside every shot that was sent his way.

The Pats nearly got one by Horoho about four minutes into the game, but a one-touch shot from Ronald Minear off a nice feed from Liam Strain trickled just wide of the far post.

Pilgrim then killed off a Nolan McCusker tripping penalty early in the second period, with Pats’ goaltender M.J. Rocheleau stopping four shots on the man advantage.

East Greenwich would capitalize on its next power play, though.

After Strain was assessed a penalty, it took the Avengers just eight seconds to score. They won the faceoff back to Dunwoody at the left point, who walked in and fired a shot past Rocheleau high to the blocker side. The goal put East Greenwich up 1-0 at 7:50 of the second period.

Five minutes later, the Avengers doubled their lead when Ferguson used his speed to beat a defenseman wide, before stick handling and slipping a shot by Rocheleau to make it 2-0.

Pilgrim junior Ty Morgan had a prime opportunity to cut his team’s deficit in half in the final minute before the break, but his wrister was shouldered away by Horoho, as East Greenwich took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

And East Greenwich would build off that lead midway through the third period, when it capitalized on a slashing penalty committed by Strain.

Ferguson would find the back of the net again for his second tally of the game at 7:06 of the third, receiving a nice pass and burying it with a quick release.

The Pats took eight penalties in the game, with two of them leading to goals for the Avengers.

“The penalties did get in the way of the flow of our game, but it’s something we have to battle through,” Henn said. “If we use penalties as an excuse, we’re just not going to get better. It’s just one of those things about hockey games, and we have to find a way to get it done.”

Pilgrim battled late in an attempt to cut into its deficit, but couldn’t find twine.

The Pats will continue to work on creating more offense.

“We just have to get better,” Henn said. “We need to finish every chance we have in practice. We have to bear down and have tunnel vision. There are certain situations where we need to slow the game down in our heads. I know it’s hard, but we have to have that skill.”

Pilgrim (3-10) will look to get back on track on Friday, when it hosts Narragansett Co-op (0-13) at 9 p.m. at Thayer Arena.

The Pats are currently holding on to the eighth and final playoff spot in Division II, and they’re confident they’ll make it in if they play to their potential.

“We’re finding out what we’re made of,” Henn said. “Despite every negative thing that the standings have said, our guys have stuck together. If we play how we’re supposed to, [the playoffs] will take care of itself.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here