ARLINGTON — Led by two targets from senior Nolan Russell and a powerful efficiency in internet by senior John Snider, the Spy Ponders secured a 4-0 win over the Rockets on Saturday and improved to 6-2 general and 2-1 inside the Middlesex Liberty Division.
The matchup featured two of the highest public boys’ hockey packages within the state, with Studying getting into because the No. 6 workforce in Division 1 whereas Arlington was No. 7 within the MIAA’s first winter energy rankings. Spy Ponders head coach John Messuri stated his workforce was motivated for the matchup and knew the Rockets could be an enormous take a look at.
“The entire Middlesex League video games are onerous,” Messuri stated. “Studying is all the time a particular sport since you get two conventional packages and everyone simply performs and competes.”
The opening interval noticed Arlington outshoot Studying, 10-7, and fireplace some high-quality alternatives on Rockets goaltender J.T. Coyne. One notable likelihood got here late within the interval from Dylan Dinucci, who beat Coyne with a backhander, however the shot dinged off the submit.
Messuri stated his workforce got here out able to play as a result of they have been conscious of the standard opponent that Studying (4-1-1) is.
“We wish to begin the durations shortly, specifically towards Studying as a result of they begin so quick,” Messuri stated. “Should you’re not able to go towards Studying, you’re in hassle.”
The second interval featured one other sturdy begin from Arlington that shortly resulted in a aim. Senior Drew Beck minimize towards the web and fired a shot on Coyne and a crashing Evan Raab fired the rebound into the web.
“The primary aim, particularly in entrance of a house crowd is unbelievable,” Beck stated. “Breaking that 0-0 tie begins up every thing from there. All of the strain we had, it simply received us able to go.”
Minutes later, Russell rushed the puck from heart ice and floated a backhander on internet that hit off a Rocket defender and into the web to provide Arlington a two-goal lead.
“At first I couldn’t consider it went in,” Russell stated. “It’s an ideal elevate off your shoulders, particularly in a detailed sport.”
That will be the extent of the scoring within the center body and Studying began to achieve some momentum within the third with a number of high-danger possibilities. Nevertheless, Snider was not fazed and continued to make saves to maintain his workforce within the lead.
“At any time when (the puck) comes at me, I’ve to make the play,” Snider stated. “It was a full workforce effort, the ‘D’ stood on their heads as we speak, and so did the offense.”
The Rockets pulled their goalie late within the interval, and Spy Ponders defenseman Evan Sparks fired a full-ice shot into the vacant internet to provide Arlington a 3-0 lead. Russell added the ultimate insurance coverage aim a couple of seconds later to safe the victory over the beforehand undefeated rival.
“Now we have a hearth inside us,” Russell stated. “We’re prepared to come back and take down any workforce that’s in entrance of us.”
