Clean sweep

‘Canes get by Huskies, move on to semis

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 3/17/15

This past weekend was the first time in five years that the Warwick Vets boys’ hockey team played in the playoffs.

Coming in, head coach Mike Boyajian believed that his team’s lack of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Clean sweep

‘Canes get by Huskies, move on to semis

Posted

This past weekend was the first time in five years that the Warwick Vets boys’ hockey team played in the playoffs.

Coming in, head coach Mike Boyajian believed that his team’s lack of experience in the postseason would help them to just play their game.

That proved to be true, as the ‘Canes rolled to a sweep of fifth-seeded Mt. Hope with a 9-6 win on Friday night and an 8-3 win on Saturday night to put the finishing touches on their Division III quarterfinal series.

The ‘Canes, who were determined to make the most of their opportunity, did just that right out of the gates.

In a tremendous offensive performance, Vets raced out to a 4-0 lead within the first five minutes of the first period, getting goals from Jake Mitchell, Brandon Major, Tim Chaffee and Collin Csoszor.

Anytime the ‘Canes put up just south of 10 goals in a game, there’s no question that their lines are clicking on all cylinders.

“The offense seemed to be clicking and both lines were going strong,” Boyajian said. “We were good on both the power play and at even strength – and we had a couple of shorthanded goals in there, as well. The offensive side of our game was there.”

The Huskies weren’t just going to get back on the bus without a fight, though. Facing a four-goal deficit from the jump, Mt. Hope began to chip away.

At the 6:41 mark of the first period, the Huskies got one back, when Ryan Cordeiro got loose in the neutral zone and went in on a breakaway and scored.

That momentum carried over into the second period, with Cordeiro scoring his second goal in as many periods at 2:58, creating a 2-on-1 and releasing a wrist shot that bounced off of ‘Canes’ goaltender Colby Howard’s shoulder and into the net, making it 4-2.

But with the Huskies looking to make a comeback bid, Howard stood tall, stopping 15 of the Huskies’ 17 shots in the second period alone – many of which were quality scoring chances.

“Colby played unbelievable tonight,” Boyajian said. “He was focused and in the game the entire time. He gave up four power play goals, so you’re already at a disadvantage there. He played unbelievable, especially because it was his first playoff game.”

With Howard holding off Mt. Hope, Vets’ offense was able to get back on track.

Mitchell cashed-in with his second goal of the game at 4:35 of the second period, blocking a shot on the penalty kill and finishing off a breakaway to push Vets’ lead back out to three, at 5-2.

The Huskies made it a two-goal game again towards the end of the second period, when Jake Calouro netted a rebound on a man advantage, but Vets still took a 5-3 lead into the intermission.

It was a goal-infested third period, but the ‘Canes were able to extend their lead, out-scoring Mt. Hope, 4-3, in the final frame.

Csoszor netted two goals to complete his hat trick, while Mitchell scored his third to complete a hat trick of his own. Greg Fontaine added the other goal in the third period on a blast from the point.

The Huskies scored three power-play goals in the third period, but Vets was able to stave-off Mt. Hope’s late surge to hang on for a 9-6 win.

Howard made 34 saves on 40 Mt. Hope shots in the win as Vets’ last line of defense.

Boyajian knew that his team had to put the series away in game two, as it was important to not allow Mt. Hope that chance in a do-or-die game three.

“We want to get the sweep,” Boyajian said. “We want to establish ourselves in this league, and I think the way to do that is to make a statement.”

The ‘Canes got the sweep that they were searching for with an 8-3 win at Portsmouth Abbey on Saturday night. They were led by Csoszor and D.J. Kowalik, who each tallied a hat trick – giving Csoszor six goals for the series.

The win sets up a semifinal series with top-seeded West Warwick/Exeter-West Greenwich Co-op this weekend.

Game one of the series will be at West Warwick on Friday at 6 p.m., with the puck dropping for game two on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Thayer.

Boyajian knows that his team will have to tighten up their defense going forward, as they won’t be able to surrender nine goals over two games and win a series against a team like WW/EWG.

“Although we were happy with the offense, defense like that isn’t going to get us anywhere,” Boyajian said. “We’re going to have to clean that up, as well as the self-discipline with the penalties.”

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here