Hockey
Wildcats hockey sinks Clippers in overtime, 3-2
By Essie Powers
YORK - The Wildcat hockey team snuck out of the Travis Roy Arena last Saturday night, Jan. 27, with a 3-2 win after a tougher contest than they had expected against the Yarmouth Clippers.It was their second consecutive over-time win and their sixth win in a row.
Yarmouth came to the game with a record of 3-9, but ready to give the first-place Wildcats a run for their heal points. Never more than a goal behind at any point, the Clippers wrung a season-high performance from their freshman goalie, Ethan Gray, who put up 33 saves on the night.
York's forward line of Nick Richard, David Figlioli and Paddy Murphy generated all the Wildcat scoring in regulation with quick passing and smart play around the net. Richard and Figlioli twice assisted Murphy, who tapped in a rebound to give York the 1-0 lead in the first and snapped in another from the slot to gain the 2-1 lead in the second.
"That line played particularly well tonight," said Coach Michael Vessey. "We really had some crisp passing by all three lines on breakout. It's good to see that part of our game improving."
Yarmouth centerman Jon Burbier, who scored both Clipper goals, evened the score at two with his penalty shot at the end of the second period.
Kevin Maran, Matt Carey and Dan Graziano did some beautiful work behind the net, getting centering passes up to the middle.
"We were moving it out there," said Graziano. "I have played with Matt (Carey) forever, and we have sense of where the other one is on the ice. And I love playing with Kevin (Maran). He'll go to the corners, to the middle, or stay up high, whatever it takes. We don't always put it in the net, but we hustle every shift we get and it brings everybody up."
Defensemen Chris Meehean, Matt Haight, Kal Decato, Andy Ohlson and Dan Powers held the Clippers to only six shots after the first 30 minutes of play, while Jake Posternak, Devin Zucker and Jason Durkin patrolled the slot and fired some shots onto Gray's net.
But they could not bust the 2-2 tie.
The Wildcats kept the pace of the game at a spirited clip, completing three-pass breaks into their offensive zone to find the open man, but the third period remained scoreless. Gray took some help from both posts as Wildcat shots rang off the metal bars, and used his stand-up style and quick glove to force the overtime.
The 'Cats fended off a 90-second 5-on-3 Clipper advantage and then unleashed a series of offensive drives.
"The best part of the game was watching the players motivate each other and step up for the overtime," said Vessey.
It took nearly 53 minutes of hockey to declare the winner.
With only 48 seconds left in the eight-minute OT, Powers raced up the left boards and found Zucker, who blasted in a shot from full stride. Kyle Banfield swept in across the middle and wristed in the rebound for the 3-2 win. It was the fifth win for York goalie Gary Merrill.
"This team has a special connection," said Graziano. "We know we're all committed. It's about hard work, playing great hockey and having fun."
York plays Greely tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the Biddeford Arena at 8:30 p.m
