By Dylan Butler
A day after suffering a tough 3-2 loss to Chaminade, the St. Francis Prep hockey team rebounded by playing its best game of the year in a 4-2 victory over perennial powerhouse Xaverian Saturday at Abe Stark Rink on Coney Island.
“We took our frustrations out on Xaverian,” said St. Francis Prep coach Bob Cavallary. “It was the best game we played all year. We only took two penalties, we back checked well, played in their zone a lot. We skated a complete game.”
Mike Carpanini got the Terriers started less than two minutes into the first period on a goal assisted by James Bertorelli, and then Bertorelli lit the lamp with just one second left in the first to give St. Francis Prep (2-6-1 CHSHL A) a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
John Leistman gave the Terriers a three-goal edge two minutes into the third period, but Xaverian (5-6-1 CHSHL A) roared back. Michael Scarpati and Michael Schmalix scored 30 seconds apart to bring the Clippers within one with 6:57 left.
But Carpanini killed Xaverian’s momentum and responded with the backbreaker, putting St. Francis Prep back ahead by two, 4-2 with 4:52 left in the third period.
“We knew we played better than a 5-2 loss, and we wanted to prove to ourselves we can beat them,” Cavallary said of the Terriers’ season-opening loss to Xaverian on Dec. 13. “It’s a big confidence builder. The way we played, the way we responded says a lot about the team. Hopefully we’ll use it as a stepping stone.”
St. Francis Prep takes on Chaminade Friday at Iceworks in Syosset at 6:30 p.m. The two teams split their first two meetings, with the Flyers winning the last game, 3-2 Friday night. the Terriers also take on Monsignor Farrell Saturday at Abe Stark Rink at 8:50 p.m.
St. Joseph by the Sea 5, Holy Cross 2. Ray Wilson and Joe Temperini scored for Holy Cross (3-2-2 CHSHL B), but St. Joseph by the Sea scored three third-period goals to break a 2-2 tie at Abe Stark Rink Sunday. Billy Kline scored two goals, Nick Sicioano and Patrick Johnson added one apiece for St. Joe’s (1-4-2), which had four power play goals.
Holy Cross takes on Molloy (4-1-2) Sunday at Abe Stark Rink at 7:45 p.m. Also in action this week is McClancy, which faces Spellman Friday at 5:15 p.m. at Rye Playland, and Molloy faces off against St. Joseph by the Sea Friday at 10 p.m. at Abe Stark Rink.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by email at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
