Sports Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, January 27, 2011
Skating Dutch Warriors hold off Cadets
By Jordan J. Michael
SCHENECTADY –– After losing to LaSalle in a tight game earlier in the season, Guilderland-Mohonasen evened up the rivalry on Tuesday night.
Just 47 seconds into the game, senior Jared Kline scored off an assist by Ryan Ghizzoni, and Aaron Hull put in a slap shot during a power play to give the Dutch Warriors an early 2-to-0 lead against the Cadets at home. Guilderland-Mohonasen held on for a 5-to-3 victory.
Before Guilderland joined forces with Mohonasen this season, Guilderland and LaSalle had knocked each other out of the Capital District High School Hockey League playoffs in successive seasons. Guilderland won in 2009 and LaSalle in 2010.
Kline, who remembers the playoff loss to LaSalle last year, does believe that the matchup is a rivalry. “Both teams want to win really badly,” he said after Tuesday’s game. “It’s always close.”
The Cadets won its home game against the Dutch Warriors, 5 to 4, on Jan. 8. Both teams have struggled with two and four wins respectively after Tuesday.
“It’s always a great game against LaSalle,” Head Coach John DeRubertis said. “The kids can get heated sometimes.”
That heat was evident most prominently in the second period when one of the Cadet captains, Alex Verchereau, punched John Cochran in the head. Each player received a roughing penalty after being separated by the referee.
“We’re fighting for a playoff seed,” said DeRubertis. “I thought we looked good during warm-ups.”
Indeed, the Dutch Warriors were sharp, putting the Cadets in a hole early.
“Getting the first goal in hockey is huge,” DeRubertis said. “You force the other team to play catch-up. Going up by two goals made it even tougher for them.”
Playing down in the second period, LaSalle came right back when Matt Wagner stole the puck two minutes in, broke away, putting the puck top shelf over Mike Alsante, who made 19 saves on the evening for Guilderland-Mohonasen. Exactly three minutes later, Conor Hurley, in the corner, found Ghizzoni, who was streaking uncovered right to the goal, scoring, to put the Dutch Warriors back ahead by two goals, 3 to 1.
“Our puck movement through the neutral zone created the offensive rush,” said DeRubertis. “You move the puck to create space. The players seem to be doing that more lately, compared to just carrying the puck before.”
Guilderland-Mohonasen stretched its lead to three when Hull knocked the puck into the net during a scrum in front of Ryan Franceschi, LaSalle’s goaltender.
Again, facing a sizeable deficit to begin the third period, the Cadets came back. Tom Barr scored just 24 seconds in on a strange goal. Minutes later, Alsante lost hold of the puck and LaSalle’s Aaron Cadman put it in for another goal. Out of the blue, the Cadets were back in the game.
“Win or lose, always close,” DeRubertis said.
Kline scored the final goal, not even a minute after LaSalle scored, firing a shot past Franceschi. The Cadets kept firing away at Alsante, but Alsante held the fort. The contest was topped off with numerous penalties.
“Our team made a New Year’s resolution to come back,” Kline said. The Dutch Warriors have three wins since the New Year.
“You’ll get results if you play straight up, with high energy, and move the puck,” DeRubertis said.