The other day I mentioned that the Amity Spartans Boys Ice Hockey Team was participating in the West Haven Jamboree where they would be pitted up against the best of the best in their division — West Haven, Notre Dame-West Haven and New Fairfield-Immaculate (NFI).
The Jamboree is a big scrimmage match during which the four teams rotate and compete in two 20-minute games. This was Amity’s opportunity to show what they are made of and either hold their own against the tough, tried and true big boys, or be destroyed.
I was standing near some men who I think were reporters during the West Haven-Notre Dame battle and it really irritated me when one of them said, “Amity is in trouble.” I guess he hadn’t watched them during last week’s practice or scrimmage against Masuk.
I was still hopeful and strongly believe in the 2018-19 Spartans.
I watched the nastiness and unnecessary roughness between the two West Haven rivals and thought all the time the players spent in the penalty box was a bit ridiculous, there was no reason for the nasty moves they threw at one another. When I mentioned it to someone, he just said, “They hate each other.”
That’s no excuse. I watched football teams that in past years had been real jerks, come out and act like gentlemen this year. The same should go for all sports.
I know that in hockey the kids are going to get slammed into the wall and pushed, but there is such a thing as going overboard and in my opinion, Notre Dame was the worst offender, they were nasty.
Anyway, the first game between the two West Haven teams was tied 2-2.
Game two — Then it was Amity’s turn on the ice. They were paired with West Haven, a team that’s hard to beat.
The Blue Devils were probably surprised that the Spartans scored the first goal. Cody White put amity up on the scoreboard, unassisted, less than 5 minutes into the game.
Less than two minutes later West Haven’s Ryan Bernardi, tied the game on an assist.
At 8:59 West Haven’s Kevin Moriarty made a goal assisted by Niko Kyle, and 43 seconds later, the duo struck again, bringing the score to 3-1.
At 10:18, Sean Dupre pulled the Blue Devils even further ahead on an assist from Moriarty.
With 3:27 remaining in the game, Amity’s Eddie Martino scored on an assist from Jason Csejka.
My Spartans didn’t win, but they weren’t slaughtered. I could have been worse. Our goalie worked his butt off.
Amity had 13 saves, West Haven had 8 saves.
Final Score: 4-2 West Haven.
Game three was between NFI and Notre Dame. I was happy to see NFI beat ND (because of their earlier attitude flaws)
The fourth and final game put Amity up against NFI.
New Fairfield scored first, and second then Amity’s Martino scored on an assist.
Amity outshot NFI 18-14.
Saves: NFI 17, Amity 12
Final Score: 2-1 NFI.
The Spartans will play NFI in their first regular season game on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Danbury Ice Arena at 5:30 p.m.
