Wildcats Find Winning Touch; Beat Millbrook, 2-1 in OT
After going 1-1 on the road in their past two games, Williston was excited to get reacquainted with the friendly confines of Lossone Arena on Wednesday afternoon as they took on Millbrook in a late afternoon contest. With Xander Rogers back in net once again for Williston, stingy defensive play, and an auspicious overtime, Williston took the first game of the season series, 2-1.
Williston began the first period as they have begun recent first periods, getting pucks deep into the offensive zone and not giving up many quality shots early on. Williston was rewarded for their gritty play just 4:12 in when JT Chamberlain collected a puck just below the left dot of the Millbrook zone and let a shot go that was deflected by a Millbrook player and beat junior goalie Greg Brassard on the far side. Assists were awarded to sophomore d, Tim Rego and senior forward, Brendan White. The scoring would end for both teams until third period when Williston was assessed a penalty for hooking. Then, at 13:24, on the power play, Millbrook struck beating Rogers over his shoulder near the left dot to tie the game at 1-1. Both teams would work hard but to no avail and for the third time this season, Williston headed to overtime.
In a rarity for the extra frame, Millbrook was assessed two penalties, one for interference and one for hooking. The latter gave Williston the power play for the remainder of the game. With just :17 seconds left, and the puck in their own zone, senior Nick Schofield won the draw on the right dot to Rego who collected the puck and chipped it off the glass and deep into the Millbrook zone. Senior Owen Sylvia raced the Millbrook defender to below the circle where said defender passed the puck up the wall to the hash marks to a waiting Schofield. Schofield gathered the puck and raced to the net with senior JoJo Carbone driving hard for any loose change. With another Millbrook defender committed to Carbone, Schofield cut to the crease and roofed a nifty backhander under the crossbar, ringing the water bottle. A celebration ensued and Williston won, 2-1, improving their record to 8-10.
The game was a fairly contested match with only three penalties called all game. Rogers made 18/19 saves to earn the win, while Brassard made 32/34 saves in the loss. Williston takes on the Brunswick Bruins on Saturday at 2:45 at Lossone. Following the game, the Williston girls team will have their annual Pink in the Rink game to raise money for breast cancer. Following the game, kids will be able to skate with the girl’s team.
At one o’clock, the annual alumni game will be held so come down early to see all your favorite players from yesteryear, including Coach PJ McCadden ‘10. It will be a busy Saturday at Lossone so please stop by and show your support!
Williston Cannot Complete Season Sweep of Gunnery; Falls 4-2
On Saturday, the Williston Wildcats took to the road once again, this time heading to Washington, CT to take on the Gunnery Highlanders. Unfortunately, two goals in the third period took down the Cats, 4-2.
The opening frame began with vengeance as Williston dominated most of the first ten minutes of the game, dumping pucks deep, pounding Gunnery in the defensive zone, and not allowing much, if any, formidable offense for their opponents. But, as it happened, Gunnery was able to take advantage of some sloppy play and went up 1-0 at the 9:02 mark. Williston mounted the offensive train immediately and just :52 seconds later, Williston senior JT Chamberlain netted his fourth goal of the year with assists to Steven Gower and Kyle Caddo. Then, at the 14:43 mark, Connor Power scored his first goal of the season letting a blast go from just inside the blue line that beat Gunnery goalie, Cedrick Andree. Brendan White was credited with the assist. With the period winding down, and Williston feeling like they were going to go to the dressing room up a goal, a Gunnery clear was unable to be corralled by a Williston defenseman at the red line; Gunnery collected the puck and let a shot go with 1 second left that beat Xander Rogers. The first period ended 2-2.
The second period saw a barrage of shots from both clubs, but to no avail as both teams went to the break still tied, 2-2.
The third period looked as if the pace of the game would remain the same, and it did, until the 5:03 mark when Gunnery’s Matt Danner scored and then just :09 seconds later, Gunnery’s Marc Gatcomb sealed the deal. At this point, Andree buckled down and Williston would pull no closer. The loss was Williston’s tenth on the season and put them three games below .500.
The Wildcats take on the Mustangs of Millbrook on Wednesday at 4:45 at Lossone rink. The Mustangs are riding a high this season with key wins and solid goaltending and the game should be a good one. See you there.