At the onset of the 2022-23 season, I stated that the Amity Spartans had some real talent this year. They had the moves, the speed, the teamwork, and the enthusiasm that anyone would want to see in a sports team.
The guys have had their ups and downs — now 6-7 for the season — not stellar, but when they are good, they are very, very good. See for yourself as they go up against North Branford (5-6-1) tonight at the Bennett Rink in West Haven at 6 p.m. Come cheer them on, and let them know how much you believe in them.
In case you missed them, the Spartans had two excellent performances last week, important as we lead into the championship season.
Amity vs Lyman Hall
Last Wednesday, Feb. 1, the Spartans hosted the Lyman Hall Trojans in West Haven.
Here’s what happened:
First Period
The Trojan’s Cam Kaplan #10 started things off with an unassisted goal at 3:46.
Lyman Hall showed a lot of skill on the ice and it was a little disheartening thinking they’d bested us.
The Spartans fought hard, making shot after shot, but landing none, until finally, as the clock ticked down at 13:13, David Brown #17, tied the game, slamming one in, assisted by Josh Hackett.
Second Period
Amity wasted no time in showing what they had when CJ Costanzo #8, scored at 1:12 pulling the Spartans into a lead that lasted throughout the entire period.
Both teams forged ahead, working each other’s goalie’s hard, but with no joy.
Florio made 18 saves, and Amity’s Aiden Courtney, #31, stopped 7 shots
Third Period
The third period by far, had the most action, by far. Both teams battled to gain and retain the lead.
With wings on his skates, Amity’s Dante Hardt #22, scored almost immediately at 0:19, assisted by Hackett.
Brown swooped in at 2:56 for his second goal, again assisted by Hackett.
Nearly two minutes later at 4:53 The Trojan’s Jimbo Cohrs #25, assisted by Nate D’Amico #26 and Cam Kaplan #10, put Lyman Hall onto the scoreboard again.
It took some time, but Amity answered with another goal at 8:40 when Owen Zaharewicz #6 made a goal, assisted by Ben Stannard #26 and Costanzo.
At 12:46, the Trojan’s Sam Nerbonne, #10, scored his team’s third and final goal, assisted by Connor Zukowski and Peyton Durant.
With just 1 minute and 7 seconds remaining, Lyman Hall’s coach made the common decision to remove their goalie and put an extra player on the ice.
From the extreme corner on the opposite end of the ice, assisted by Hardt, Brown slammed the puck, which flawlessly found its way into the empty net, sealing the win for the Spartans.
Asst. Coach Peter Richetelli praised Brown for his Hat Trick accomplishment and noted that Hackett also deserved recognition for his three assists in this game.
He said the team sometimes gets off to a slow start, but once they get going they work well together and do a great job.
Saves: Amity 32, Lyman Hall 34
Final Score: Amity 6, Lyman Hall 3
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Amity vs BBD
The Amity Spartans hosted the BBD (Brookfield/Bethel/Danbury) Ice Cats in West Haven on Saturday, Feb. 4.
The Spartans were on fire from the second they arrived at the rink, with confidence and determination that they need to remember just how good they really are.
First Period
Amity dominated the first period. They weren’t afraid to shoot and came together as they should. AAt 3:44 Ben Qian #25 started things off, assisted by Eli Gregory.
Then, at 11:02, Dean Gattinella #5, scored a goal, assisted by Qian and Connror Bunnell #10.
Rounding things off at 13:52 AJ Capecelatro #16, shot one in, assisted by Bunnell and Gregory.
Second Period
Without mssing a beat, the Spartans denied BBD any opportunity of advancing in the game.
at 1:09 Josh Hackett #4 scored on an assist from Bunnell.
At 7:24 Dante Hardt #22 made a goal, assisted by Hackett ad Bunnell.
Hardt struck again just moments later at 7:59, assisted by Cam Delvecchio #12 and Dean Gattinella #5
The Spartans weren’t done yet. At 10:48 Hackett scored, assisted by Gatinella and Hardt.
19 seconds before the buzzer, CJ Costanzo #8, made a goal assisted by Capecelatro and Brendan Smith #30.
Third Period
The final period had a different feel than the others.
AT 1:07 BBD #35 finally put his team on the board, assisted by #21
Less than a minute later at 2:03 Delvecchio made an unassisted goal for Amity.
There was a lot of furious back and forth, and then, at 6:32 The Ice Cat’s #19 scored, assisted by #14 and #25.
As the game wound down, but with plenty of time remaining on the clock, Amity’s Michael Page #20 scored on an assist from Capecelatro and Gregory.
Saves: Amity 15 , BBD 33
Final score: Amity 10, BBD 2
Head Coach Mike Richetelli said, “That was a great team effort today and that’s where we’re headed. They’re playing smarter and they’re starting to believe in themselves.”