After two weeks of postponed, then canceled games due to the COVID qarantine obligations of their opponents, the Amity Spartans Boys Ice Hockey team finally returned to the ice last Wednesday.
The scheduled game vs Shelton was canceled and Milford was brought in to play.
How would the Spartans fare after such a long time off the ice with players that weren’t their own teammates? Head Coach Mike “Scooter” Richetelli said the boys stayed fresh by practicing hard whenever they had the rink.
Amity vs Milford
The first two periods showed the strength and skill of both teams, but the game remained scoreless.
Third-period
The dynamics changed 5:33 into the period with Milford’s Kyle Kosh, assisted by Joey Hodz, got one in past Amity’s goaltender Aiden Courtney.
It was just shy of 6 minutes until the Spartans answered with Captain Jason Dittman tying the game on an assist from Freshman Niko Tournas.
Yes, this nail-biter went into overtime
Overtime
Amity wasted no time in showing Milford how it’s done. It only took 41 seconds for Justin Miller, assisted by Dittman, to score the winning goal!
Final Score 2-1 AMITY
Even with all this jubilation, and utterly positive energy, the Spartans knew that a huge challenge lies ahead of them when on Saturday they were to face off against BBD, a very strong opponent with a 10-1 record.
Coach Richetelli said they had two great practices on Thursday and Friday and were laser-focused ahead of Saturday’s game.
Amity vs BBD
Senior Day against a highly-skilled, tough challenger, the Spartans had a lot riding on the game, and they did not want their senior day to end on a low note.
This was an extremely important game for one senior in particular, third goalie Alex Oleschuk was going to make his debut appearance in the net, and he knew he had to stay sharp.
The Spartans hit the ice and played with a vengeance, intercepting the puck, passing to open teammates, everything they’d done in practice, but with more passion.
It was Freshman Niko Tournas (26) who made the first goal, assisted by Joey Carangelo and Cameron Delvecchio at just 2:24.
At 8:16 Dittman pulled the Spartans further ahead on a power play assisted by David Brown. and another teammate (listed as #14).
But 47 seconds later, BBD’s Anthony Britton got one past Oleschuk, assisted by Alex Nunez.
First Period Score 2-1 Amity
After what we can only imagine was a good pep talk on the sidelines during the Zamboni runs, BBD returned to the ice with a show of force. Just 1:30 in, after shooting furiously at the net, Kyle Boller scored on a power play, assisted by Spencer Adams and Britton. Tying the game at 2.
Amity would have none of that, Tournas scored on a power play at 4:46, assisted by Ethan Moffett and Ben Qian. At 6:57, another power-play saw Miller score off an assist from fellow captain Caleb Marcin. SCORE 4-2
The second-period wasn’t over yet, though, BBD assaulted Oleschuk with rapid-fire shot after shot on which the goalie threw himself down on one, and brushed another off with his glove, only to have Kevin Dykes slip it in behind him at 7:52, assisted by Dmitry Yates.
Amity Goalie Brandan Smith replaced Oleschuk — but, with 11 saves — job well done, AleX!
With less than a minute left in the period, BBD struck again, with Kevin Granacker tying the game by getting one past Smith on a power play assisted by Britton and Boller.
Second Period Score 4-4
Remember, this was a very important game to the Spartans, it being Senior Day and with the playoffs coming up, they simply HAD to win. Breaking the tie was first and foremost.
Both teams played like champions shooting and the goalies swerving and diving to make a save at every attempt.
With less than 3 minutes left in the game Amity finally broke the tie with Miller’s power-play goal assisted by Marcin and Tommy Schittina.
Hearts were pumping, this one was for all the marbles, keep it going Boys!
At 12:49 Tournas got his hatty, pulling Amity ahead by two assisted by Marcin and Carangelo.
Just 50 seconds left, it was looking great for the Spartans, then Britton smacked one past Smith. Even with so little time left, we all knew it was still anyone’s game.
10 seconds on the clock…a BBD player hit the wall and lay motionless on the ice. Amity Trainer Kim Pierce came out to check him out as Amity players took a knee.
But he got up, and the game proceeded. Fast-moving desperation and skill. then the buzzer.
Amity wins! 6-5
Next up Lyman Hall on Monday, March 15 at Bennett Rink at 8 p.m.
Let’s Go Spartans!
