By Dylan Butler
Instead of coming out complacent, the Terriers methodically picked apart the Crusaders with seven first period goals – including four in 2:38 – to cruise to an 11-0 win.
“It was rough playing three games in four days, but we wanted to come out right away with intensity,” said Prep senior Adam Discepolo, who had two goals and five assists. “We came out quick and played hard.”
St. Francis Prep (8-1 CHSHL B) attacked the McClancy net from the opening face-off and, after almost two straight minutes in the Crusaders' zone, freshman forward John Leistman cycled in front of the net and beat McClancy goaltender Chris Gavalas to put the Terriers ahead 1-0 two minutes in.
After winning a face-off in his own zone, Dan McCloskey raced to a loose puck and broke in alone on Gavalas, beating him on a wrist shot high glove side giving Prep a 2-0 lead with 8:53 left in the period.
McCloskey's first of the game set off an avalanche of goals as James Bertorelli, Steve Cameron and Discepolo each found the back of the net in the next 2 1/2 minutes to give the Terriers a commanding 5-0 lead.
Goals by Patrick Chatterton and a Bertorelli tally on the power play capped the scoring in the first period.
“They're the team to beat in the B division – they have a lot of good skaters. All in all, they are on a different level than us,” said McClancy head coach Mike Brenneis, whose team falls to 4-6. “Despite the score, this is a building block for our team. In order to get better, you have to play the good teams.”
McCloskey's second, two goals by Discepolo and a goal by Giancarlo Racanelli closed out the scoring for Prep. With the game solidly in hand, the only question was if sophomore goaltender Mike Giacomino would get the shutout. Thanks to a stifling defensive effort by the Terriers, the answer would be yes.
St. Francis Prep 6, Salesian 3. McCloskey and Leistman scored two goals apiece and Mike Kuziewski and Discepolo added one each for the Terriers Monday night at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon.
St. Joseph by the Sea 3, Christ the King 1. Jakub Kubrak scored the lone goal for the Royals (3-4-2 CHSHL A) Saturday night at Abe Stark Arena on Coney Island.
Molloy 5, Mount St. Michael 3. John DiGregorio scored four goals and Chris Edele had four assists for the Stanners (4-5 CHSHL A) Saturday night at the Ice Hutch. Nicky Wilk scored the other Molloy goal on an assist by Chuck Graves.
St. Francis Prep 6, St. Raymond's 3. Nick Begy and Discepolo each scored two goals and Mark Foris and Cameron also scored for the Terriers Saturday at Buchmuller Park Arena in Secacus, N.J.
