The Mt Hope Huskies Boys hockey team hosted a matinee showdown at the Portsmouth Abbey on Sunday, going up against the Johnston/North Providence(JNP) co-operative hockey team. In what was a tightly contested game, both teams came out exchanging offensive opportunities in the first two periods. Mt Hope Junior Goaltender Devon Loiselle was solid between the pipes making several key saves, including a breakaway save on JNP's leading scorer in the second period. After two periods, the Huskies found themselves down 1-0. The Huskies begin the third period on the offensive attack. Seniors Ryan Cordeiro and Jack Dolan lead the charge and get the puck in deep. Dolan fires a shot on goal. The JNP goaltender makes a good save. However, Mount Hope Senior Kyrik Cordeiro charges to the front of the net, swoops in for the rebound and buries it five-hole to tie the score at one, just :21 seconds into the third. The third period continues on. Both teams have chances on both ends of the ice. Loiselle keeps his team in the game fending off the JNP attack with help from his defensive corps. Seniors Devin Lannan and Dylan Andrade, Junior Cam Rancourt and Freshman Tim Byrne play quality defense in limiting the JNP offense to 18 shots. With just over three minutes remaining, the Huskies force an offensive zone face-off to the right of the JNP goaltender. Ryan Cordeiro wins the faceoff. Dolan grabs the puck and quickly snaps a shot low and the through the falling goaltender's pads for a 2-1 Huskies lead. In the final minutes of play, JNP pulls their goaltender to play with a man advantage. The Huskies are able to hold down the fort defensively. Ryan Cordeiro gets the puck out of the zone. Dolan out-muscles the JNP defender to the puck and scores the empty-net goal to seal the 3-1 Mount Hope victory. Loiselle makes 17 saves in goal for the Huskies. Kudos to Ryan Cordeiro who shadows the JNP offensive leader and playing a stellar defensive game. The Huskies invite all local hockey fans and Mount Hope students to attend their next game this Saturday night 1/27 in West Warwick vs the Pilgrim Patriots with a 7:30 puck drop. Be there. Get Loud.
-Gene Reynolds/Warren Times contributor