Boys J.V. hockey played their final home game of the 2021-2022 season this afternoon hosting the Rhinos of Taft from Watertown, Ct.
Both teams were down players for a variety of reasons so the game began with a less than predictable outcome for either team. Carson Belaire, making his debut as a forward due to a shifting of the lineup to cover for the missing players, would score his first goal of the season in just his second shift as a forward!! Hats off to Carson for the effort today. His line, including Bobby Miele and Evan Galli, played an important role and were to be counted on throughout the game. The first period ended with Deerfield clinging to a 1-0 lead.
Halfway through the second period Will Lodge would get his first of four goals in the period coming off a nice combination of passes from Felix Rockefeller and Will Richards. Will would score again 33 seconds later to give the home team a commanding 3-0 lead. This goal was assisted by Felix and Jack Gammage. Taft would not give up so easily and they scored the next goal off a nice shot from the right side narrowing the margin of lead to 3-1. Deerfield would trade goals with Taft in the waning minutes of the second period. With the score at 4-2 Will would get his fourth goal of the period tipping a shot from Felix Rockefeller that found its way to the back of the net. The score was 5-2 going into the 3rd period.
Goalie Will Scharfenberger was solid between the pipes and Big Green was doing what was needed to secure the win. The team was playing good two-way hockey, getting the puck deep and not allowing too many turnovers that would jeopardize the 3 – goal lead. Taft did score once more with only 1:42 remaining in the game to close out the scoring at 5-3, advantage to the home team.
Big Green hopes to get some players back skating this week and continue their play as we head into the final two weeks of the season. We would like to thank the Darlings for providing the delicious cake for a welcome post game treat!!! Next up for Deerfield is a return match with Eaglebrook, a talented team that will want to reverse a loss from earlier in the season. We look forward to a good game on Wednesday!