Coming off of a two week break, the boys varsity hockey team was back in action for the first time in 2017 as they welcomed a talented Pomfret team to campus. It was also the first game since the team won the Flood-Marr championship, putting an end to a fourteen year drought. The big green last won the tournament in 2002 when Stanley Cup Champion Ben Lovejoy was on the team.
The team seemed to pick up right where they left off as Senior Defenseman Henry Bishop ‘17 notched the first goal of the game and his first of the season just three minutes in. For much of the first DA held onto their one goal lead until the final two minutes when Pomfret managed to score two late goals, giving them a 2-1 lead heading into the locker room. However, the visitors lead did not last too long as Sophomore Michael Holland ‘17 fired one home into the upper left hand corner 39 seconds into the second frame. Pomfret would not let up and were relentless in the offensive zone as they looked to pull ahead once more. The away team would find that goal three minutes into the final period, giving them the 3-2 lead. Despite going down a goal for the second time, DA would not give up and notched the equalizer for the second time that afternoon on a brilliant individual effort from Senior Captain Justin Marler ‘17 who carried the puck from end-to-end and beat the goalie short side. The go ahead goal would come with seven minutes remaining when Senior Assistant Captain Dylan Presnal ‘17 scored his first of the season. Senior Thomas Dale ‘17 would add two goals of his own in the final 30 seconds, an empty netter and a penalty shot. The game would end with a 6-3 Deerfield victory. Senior goalie Sam Vigneault made 21 saves on the day. The boys varsity hockey team returns to action on Saturday when they take on Salisbury in the Barn at 5:00 PM.