RYE, N.Y. — The Manhattanville men's ice hockey team battled through a hostile contest at the Playland Ice Casino, ending in a voracious battle between the teams, ultimately falling 7-0. Despite the loss, the match was highlighted with an outstanding performance between the pipes from junior goaltender William Billequey (Montreal, Quebec/Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)), along with a dominant offensive showing from an army of Valiants forwards.
The contest led off with a barrage of shots from Manhattanville, led by Johno Hoins (Telluride, Colo./The Frederick Gunn School / Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL)), Zach Turner (Eagle, Colo./Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL)), and Caden Eaton (Indian River, Mich./Cornwall Colts (CCHL)). Their aggressive play quickly turned into penalty opportunities for Chatham, giving them a two-man advantage after penalties for hooking and holding. Just under a minute later, the Cougars capitalized on their advantage, taking a 1-0 lead at 5:38.
Manhattanville continued to generate shot opportunities on the Chatham goal side, with quality chances on net from Eaton and Jack Roberts (Middlefield, CT/Lyman Hall). The Valiants fought through to the final second despite taking big hits from the Cougars defense. Despite the constant pressure, the Valiants headed into the first intermission down 1-0.
To start the second period, the Valiants came in with strong shot chances from Justin Fernet (Sherbrooke, Quebec/Taft School), Beau Depencier (Dresden, Ontario, Canada/LKCS), and Hoins. After three minutes of dominant play for Manhattanville, they secured a power play advantage after a penalty call for holding. With the man up, they continued to add a horde of shots on the Chatham net by Fernet, Hoins, Roberts, and Eaton.
The Valiants continued to battle to even the score; however, Chatham was able to find the back of the net with another goal midway through the period, extending its lead to 2-0. Chatham continued the heavy pressure, adding a third goal three minutes later for a 3-0 lead that would lead them into the final period.
Entering the final period of the contest, Manhattanville came out with tenacity, reducing the deficit, adding quality shots from Hoins, Lane Paddison (100 Mile House, Canada/Canmore Eagles (AJHL)), Cameron Vassos (Caledon, Ontario/Navan Grads (CCHL)), and Brandon Paluszak (Powell, Ohio/Gilmour Academy). Despite the unwavering efforts of the Valiants, Chatham was able to extend their lead once again with a goal at 3:56 to lead 4-0. The two teams continued to trade shots off one another's net, with Chatham continuing to extend their lead just under five minutes later.
Throughout the period, Manhattanville continually contested the Chatham goaltender, adding a swarm of shots of their own from Vassos, Paluszak, Baksay, Paddison, Zach Choureiri, and Tristan D'Elia (West Chester, Pa./Philadelphia Little Flyers (EHL)). Chatham ultimately found the back of the Valiants net again, pushing their lead to 6-0.
As tensions rose, the determination from the Valiants bench to avoid the shutout grew, adding aggression and valor on the ice. After a Manhattanville penalty for cross-checking, the Cougars added their final goal of the night, finalizing the game at 7-0.
Despite the loss, the Valiants ended with a total of 72 shots compared to 59 from Chatman, with 37 shots on goal compared to the Cougars 35. Manhattanville goaltender William Billequey (Montreal, Quebec/Vermont Lumberjacks (EHL)) stood tall between the pipes, despite the score, making 28 saves and a save percentage of 80%.
Up Next:
The Valiants men's hockey team will return to the ice, hosting St. John Fisher next Friday, February 13th, at the Playland Ice Casino, with puck drop set for 7 PM.
