The Mt Hope Huskies Boys Hockey team steamrolled the Narragansett/Chariho Co-op en route to an 8-2 home ice victory at the Portsmouth Abbey.
Early in the first period, as the Huskies play short-handed, Junior Josh Martin strips the puck as N/C attempts to clear their own end. Senior Cam Rancourt pounces on the loose puck, beats the defender, dekes around the N/C goaltender and scores for a short-handed goal and an early Huskies 1-0 lead. Minutes later, the Huskies attack in the offensive zone, Sophomore David Benevides passes the puck to Senior Keegan Hanley who unloads a quick, hard wrist shot that screams into the net for a 2-0 Huskies lead. The Huskies refuse to let-up and continue attacking in the offensive zone. Benevides dishes the puck to Rancourt who passes to Hanley lurking in the high slot area. Hanley snaps off a laser that finds nothing but net. Huskies up 3-0. With minutes remaining in the first period, the Huskies continue to grind in the offensive zone and are rewarded for their hard work. Freshman Jake Marshall wins a battle for a loose puck and centers a pass to the front of the net. Martin out works the N/C defender, collects the loose puck and buries the biscuit top-shelf for a 4-0 Huskies lead. N/C adds a late goal and the period ends 4-1.
As the second period commences, N/C scores early to narrow the lead to 4-2 but the Huskies respond. Rancourt carries the puck into the offensive zone and finds Hanley in the high slot area. Hanley wastes little time and uncorks a blast from way out that glides through the air eluding the masses in front of the goal and finds the twine that is the back of the net. A storm of hats rain down on the ice to celebrate Hanley’s third goal of the game in completing the Hat Trick and boosting the Huskies lead to 5-2. The second period comes to a close.
Meanwhile, between the pipes for the Huskies, Senior goaltender Devon Loiselle steadies the ship and keeps the N/C attack at bay with quality goaltending throughout the game. In front of Loiselle, the Huskies D-Corps of Hanley, Senior James Marshall and Sophomore Tim Byrne assist in neutralizing the N/C attack with smart and steady defensive zone play.
As the third period starts, Rancourt and Benevides connect two more times with some unselfish teamwork that leads to a pretty pair of Huskies goals and give the team a 7-2 lead. Both players would finish the night with five points apiece, with Rancourt also earning a hat trick. Later in the third period, Benevides finds Rancourt in the offensive zone, who passes it to Senior Jonathan Medeiros blazing towards the goal. Medeiros shoots. Medeiros scores to cap off an 8-2 Huskies victory. Senior forward Andrew Squatrito provides an offensive zone spark for the team in bringing a workman like forecheck in the offensive zone. The game ends with an 8-2 Huskies victory. The Huskies next home game will be Wednesday, January 23rd at 6pm at the Portsmouth Abbey. Come on out and support the team. Go Huskies!
- Jacques Souffle
- Contributor