Jack Shanahan scored the game winner with just under 4 minutes remaining in the game to give Deerfield boys JV hockey a 4-3 win over visiting Cardigan Mountain School.
This game had everything. Both teams played hard, great goaltending, and created multiple scoring opportunities. The boys in green played some of their best hockey of the season with contributions from everyone in their lineup. After a scoreless 1st period Steven Li, returning to the lineup for the first time since January 12, began the day’s scoring with a well-placed shot off a pass from Matt Shea. A minute later Cardigan would answer and then again they would score another goal minutes after that giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. Alex Strait would get the equalizer seconds before the end of the second period off a blistering shot from the blue line. Here again, Matt Shea was the setup man.
At the break between the second and third periods there was much excitement in the boys locker room. The team had been playing well against a very good Cardigan team, but they knew that it would take their best performance of the year in the third period to steal a win today. The team came out for the third and answered the call. This was perhaps the best team performance of the season. All three lines were buzzing, defensemen were making good decisions and playing very tough on the puck, and of course, Colin Olson was doing his part in the net with another excellent performance. Will Dale would score the go-ahead goal halfway through the third period on a beautiful deke around a defenseman and ripped a shot past the Cardigan goalie. With a one-goal lead Deerfield kept putting the pressure on in the offensive zone creating multiple good scoring chances. The Cardigan goalie was also having a great game! With under four minutes remaining Cardigan would score the equalizer off an unforced error on our defensive blue line. Big Green was more determined than ever after giving up this goal and we began going to work offensively. Finally, after a flurry of pressure on their net Will Dale was able to find some open ice. While carrying the puck wide into the Cardigan zone he was able to find Jack Shanahan streaking to the net. The pass was on target, and Jack stood his ground in front of the net punching the puck home for the game-winner!
The game puck goes to the entire team today. Colin led the way with his work between the pipes. The defensive group of Strat, Darling, Gardner, Weinman, and Judelson played very well all afternoon. We got great effort from all three lines today; our third line of Gannon, Lodge, and Scharfenberger gave us the effort we needed to compete at a higher level today. Well done!
The team goes on winter break with an 8-3-1 record. The good news is that we still have six games remaining on the schedule. The really good news is that 5 of these games are at home. The really, really good news is that we should be getting back in the lineup some key players who are just getting over injuries sustained early in January. Next game will come on Wednesday Feb. 6th at home against Loomis. Game time is 5:00 p.m.