The boys JV hockey team traveled to Wallingford on Saturday to face-off against rival Choate. Games between our two schools are always close in JV hockey and this game would not be any different.
The Deerfield boys applied early pressure in this game and all throughout the 1st period the Choate goaltender did a great job keeping us off the scoreboard. Midway through the first period Choate scored their first goal of the game on a nice 2 vs. 1 combination play coming into our zone. After one period Choate had the lead 1-0.
The second period provide a back and forth game with both teams scoring and the lead changing. Deerfield would score the equalizer when the line of Scharf, Welch, and Rockefeller dug deep and began controlling the play in our offensive end. Mike Scharfenberger would notch his first goal of the season throwing the puck on net through a crowd. Choate soon grabbed a one-goal lead minutes later and after 2 periods Choate remained in the lead 2-1.
The third period had the boys in green beginning to build up some momentum trying to tie the game once again. And again it was the line of Welch, Scharfenberger, and Rockefeller who got their team the equalizer with their disciplined and hard work deep in the offensive zone. This time they controlled the puck and moved it to Alex Strait on the blue line who delivered a hard, low shot that Ryan Welch was able to put a deflection on tying the score at 2 apiece.
We thought momentum was on our side, but the hosting Choate players were determined to get the next goal. They pressured down low and score another goal off a loose puck in front to take the lead for good mid-way through the final period. Deerfield could not regain the momentum as we took a couple of unfortunate penalties and never got comfortable in the Choate zone. Our opponents scored an empty-net goal sealing their victory in the last minute of play.
The Deerfield team will look to record their first win this season at home on Wednesday against a perennially tough Winchendon team. The game starts at 3:00 p.m.