Doug Reilly
Reporter
Despite out-shooting their opponents 41-14, the boys’ hockey team was defeated by the Greenwich Cardinals on January 16th by a score of 2-1 before a packed house at Dorothy Hamill Ice Rink in Greenwich.
Cardinals captain Ryan Kelly broke a 1-1 tie with a game-winning power play goal with 8:35 remaining in the third period. Just a month ago, on December 21, the Rams handled the Cardinals in convincing fashion, 5-0, in the Darien Holiday Tournament.
Outstanding play, including a total of 40 saves by Greenwich’s senior goalie, Adam Gelbs, kept the Rams in check for most of the game, especially in the closing minutes of the third period, when the game was on the line. Gelbs had not started for the Cardinals in the Darien Holiday Tournament.
In the first period the Rams out-shot the Cardinals 16-3, but failed to capitalize on two power plays as Gelbs shut the Rams power play unit down. The second period featured more of the same, with penalties by both teams, and missed opportunities. However, at 3:07 into the second period, the Rams broke through when junior forward David Crandall knocked in a rebound off a shot from senior forward Henry Richardson, giving New Canaan a 1-0 lead.
Greenwich went on a power play and tied the game at one with 4:55 left when Cardinals freshman Jack Gilson’s initial shot was stopped by Rams freshman goalie Tim Nowacki, but was poked in by Greenwich senior forward Joey Lodato.
The Cardinals took the lead halfway through the third period on a spectacular set play. Junior defenseman Woody Waesche took a shot from the left face-off circle that went wide right of the net, only to have Kelly charge in from the right side and tip the puck in past Nowacki, giving Greenwich a 2-1 lead.
The Rams out-shot the Cardinals 14-5 during the second period and 11-6 in the third, but strong efforts from Greenwich defensemen and goalie Gelbs did not give the Rams any second chance opportunities. The Rams pulled their goalie late in the third period and continued to put pressure on the Cardinals, but couldn’t get the puck past Gelbs, despite a few good opportunities.
Greenwich is now 4-4 overall and an important 2-0 in FCIAC play, and will play Trumbull on Monday, January 18th. With the loss, New Canaan fell to 6-3 overall, and 1-1 in the FCIAC. The Rams look to bounce back on Wednesday, January 20th at Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe at 8pm.
excellent article, Doug Reilly is an outstanding reporter