Around the Rinks

Goaltenders stand tall

Matt Metcalf, Assistant Sports Editor
Posted 1/27/15

Hendricken, Pilgrim, Toll Gate and Warwick Vets all got stellar performances from their last line of defense this weekend.

The goaltenders from the four Warwick schools shined on the ice this …

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Around the Rinks

Goaltenders stand tall

Posted

Hendricken, Pilgrim, Toll Gate and Warwick Vets all got stellar performances from their last line of defense this weekend.

The goaltenders from the four Warwick schools shined on the ice this weekend, allowing just seven goals between the four of them.

Toll Gate edged Pilgrim, 4-2, on Friday night and the Titans were backstopped by a first-year goaltender.

Prior to the season, Toll Gate didn’t have a goaltender, so Brendan Aunchman stepped up and decided to give it a shot. Aunchman has progressed immensely from the start of the season until now.

Aunchman stopped 17 shots en route to recording his second win of the season against Pilgrim on Friday.

Head coach Mike Champagne is happy with the progression that Aunchman has shown and was pleased with his performance in the win.

“He was good when it mattered,” Champagne said. “I’m really happy with him. It’s definitely a focus. He’s learning and it shows.”

On the other end of the ice, the performance from M.J. Rocheleau may have been even more impressive with all of the saves that he had to make.

Despite taking the loss, Rocheleau kept the Pats in the game, stopping 39 shots – most of which were high-quality.

Although he’s just a freshman, Rocheleau has emerged as a leader on the ice for Pilgrim.

“M.J. was awesome tonight,” Pilgim head coach Steve Henn said. “He’s only a freshman, he’s playing against bigger guys and he’s stepping up. I’m proud of the way that he’s stepped in to fill a huge role. We’re very confident knowing that he’s our last line of defense.”

Champagne also echoed praises for the opposing goaltender.

“He was making all of the first saves and battling for the rebounds,” Champagne said of Rocheleau. “We had him moving and he did a good job of doing what he can. It’s a tough situation when the pucks are coming at you like that and guys are flying. He stayed poised for such a young guy. He’s not a very big goalie, so he has to work really hard, and he did.”

In the second game of the night at Thayer on Friday, Hendricken put together a shutout against rival La Salle to take over first place.

The Hawks were backstopped by Matt Kenneally, who turned aside all 18 shots that the Rams sent his way.

Behind a tremendous defensive effort from the Hawks, Kenneally was there every time he was needed.

“Matt did a great job and he was solid,” Hendricken head coach Jim Creamer said. “He didn’t give up a lot of rebounds and he ate the puck up really well. Particularly, there was a few times where he came out of his net and cut down the angle really well, so he did a great job.”

In Division III action, Vets pulled even with third-place Johnston/North Providence Co-op with a 5-1 win over Mount Hope on Friday night. The ‘Canes and Johnston both have 10 points apiece, but Johnston also has a game in-hand.

The ‘Canes got two goals from Collin Csoszor, and one apiece from Jake Mitchell, Noah Kane and D.J. Kowalik.

However, in net, Nick McGhie was outstanding once again, stopping 18 of the 19 shots that he faced in the game.

McGhie is a big reason for Vets’ turnaround this season. After going 2-16 a season ago, the ‘Canes have already more than doubled their win total from a year ago.

Vets currently sits at 5-4 in the D-III standings, as it’ll look to ride the strong play of McGhie and make a playoff push.

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