RUSHING TO A WIN. York senior forward Kevin Maran rushes the puck to Kal Decato for York's fifth goal against Cape Elizabeth.
Courtesy photo
YORK - The Wildcat hockey team stepped up its record to 7-1-1 this past weekend, putting two decisive victories into the books.
They dominated the Marshwood Hawks 10- 1 on Friday night, Jan. 11, in the Dover Arena, and then put a 7-4 sting on Cape Elizabeth Saturday night in Biddeford.
The Wildcats simply overpowered a young Marshwood team, putting 16 players in the scoring column and developing their deep bench.
Sam Ciccolinifoley, Dylan Merritt, (two goals), Anthony Figlioli (two goals), Mike Valeri and Max Leeman all played regular shifts and contributed on penalty kill and power plays. Senior Dom Ferrande scored his first goal for the Wildcats in the third period.
In the Cape game, senior defenseman Kal Decato scored two goals in one shift in the second period. His shot from the point, off a perfect feed from line mate Kevin Maran, would prove to be the game winner.
"He buried two in 30 seconds," said teammate Dan Powers. "That gave us a huge push in the second."
Andy Ohlson's quick stick put York on the board first, dashing to the net and beating Cape goalie Lincoln Jordan. Devin Zucker made it 2-0 York with assists from Ohlson and Jake Posternak. Kevin Maran and Ohlson helped York beat back both of Cape's power play attempts disrupting the passing lanes and covering the middle. Nick Richard and Dan Powers closed the gates at the goalmouth. Goalie Andrew Loane turned away six Cape shots before Sean Eubanks slid one in late in the period, his first of two in the game.
Just over three minutes into the second, Decato came streaming in from the blue line, took a pass from Zucker and tipped one inside the weak-side post. In the next possession, Maran worked the low left corner and slid the puck to Decato on the point. He blasted it from there making it 4-1 York.
Never a team to go away quietly, Cape came roaring back to come within one goal on shots from Eubanks and Zach Breed, who lifted one in while Cape had a 5-on-3 advantage. But before momentum could lift the Capers, Wildcat senior Dan Powers intercepted a pass, cut across the high slot and hit the top shelf to give the two-goal lead back to York.
Jake Posternak, who assisted the first two goals of the game, added one of his own in the opening minute of the third, which made it 6 -3 and put the game out of reach for Cape. Dillon Dellapasqua, Anthony Figlioli and Dylan Merritt gave York's forward lines the fresh legs they needed to continue the pressure. Getting defensive help from Ohlson, Max Leeman, Decato, Powers and Richard worked the blue lines and held Cape inside their defensive zone.
Cape's Zack Labbe scored in the final minutes, but Wildcat David Figlioli hit the empty net for the 7-4 final.
"The Cape games are always exciting," said York Coach Michael Vessey. "Both of these teams look forward to playing each other. We plan and prepare and build up for these contests. It's good to be on the right side of this one."
York was scheduled to play Class A Biddeford on Wednesday, Jan. 16, in Biddeford. No scores were available at press time.
