Hockey
Two shutouts, two hat tricks keep 'Cats too strong for Gorham and Windale
By Essie Powers
YORK - The Wildcat hockey team ended their regular season this week with some roof-raising offense, shutting out Gorham on Thursday night, 8-0, and Windale on Saturday night, 11-0, both at the Biddeford Arena."These last two games, as well as the overtime win against Cape Elizabeth, were a terrific boost to the team," said Coach Michael Vessey. "It was a great way to close out the season."
The wins added a lot of highlight film to the team's records, including two more shutouts for goalies Andrew Loane and Gary Merrill, a hat trick each for Dan Powers and Matt Carey, and 13 Wildcats in the scoring columns for a total of 19 goals and 22 assists, all unanswered.
With Powers, Kal Decato, Andy Ohlson, Nick Richard, Tanner Chase and PJ Stocks on defense, the 'Cats out-shot their opponents 2-1, a stat that impressed the York coaches.
"We have proven that we can play solid defense against even the best of Class A or Class B," said Vessey.
Offensively, the Wildcats have continued to improve. Their scoring punch became more dominant in the second half of the season, aided by the return of Jason Durkin.
Freshmen Chase, Stocks, Max Leeman Tim Murdough, Corey Decato, Paddy Murphy and David Figlioli played a huge role in the team's success, giving the 'Cats not only depth, but also flexibility in assembling lines on both offense and defense.
Murphy and Figlioli have had starting roles all year. Their offense power has made a difference in some of the closest games of the season. Corey Decato put his first high school in-the-net in the opening minutes of the third period against Windale.
Forwards Carey, Daniel Graziano and Kevin Maran, playing as a line since January, have been the most dependable power line in Class B.
"All three are smart, aggressive hockey players that put a lot of pressure on opposing teams," said Vessey.
In the last two games all three of them have scored, putting up a total of 10 points, and Carey collected his hat trick on senior night.
"It was exciting to watch," said Coach Jim Powers. "Graz had two assists, Matt had three goals, Kevin had a goal and two assists. It was great to see them explode offensively, because they do everything else out there."
Junior Dom Ferrande had two breakaways in the Windale game that just missed. Jake Posternak had two goals and two assists against Gorham and another goal against Windale. Kyle Banfield, Devin Zucker, Ohlson and Murphy each had a goal and an assist against Gorham. Powers had a hat trick and an assist in the Gorham game and two assists in the Windale game. Figlioli had two goals in the Windale game and one against Gorham.
The Wildcats are now preparing for playoffs.
"We will focus on the one or two things we need to work on most," said Vessey. "We will continue to condition, because the team who beats the other team to the puck wins the game."
