Avon defeats Taft in an All-Offensive Game

Avon Old Farms (Avon) has a tradition of being competitive every year. But no one would have expected this .. after winning back-to-back New England Prep School championships, their team has 18 new faces. What comes as a surprise is how fast this team has seemingly come together. They are currently 8–2-1, with their losses coming early in the year to Taft and South Kent. Taft, on the other hand, started off strong winning their first four, but have dropped their last two games.

It did not take long for the action to heat up between Avon and Taft, because in the first minute Avon was able to score thanks to diminutive sophomore, Cam Atkinson, who found the loose puck in front and poked it in for the 1-0 lead. Taft responded thirty seconds later, when 6'5" giant Sean Carty (Sr.) found himself open in the slot for the easy goal past Avon's junior goalie Randy Wolcott to tie the game. The scoring pace continued as two minutes later, Atkinson scored again as the puck squeaked by Taft's goalie Andrew Margolin (Jr.). The next shift Taft got the puck deep into Avon's zone and the line of Max Pacioretty (Jr.) – Andrew Balysky (So.)– Carty began cycling the puck. It did not take long for Pacioretty to find Carty open for his second goal of the game. This fast paced start was very unexpected as both goalies Wolcott and Margolin are highly touted prep netminders, but four soft goals in the first four minutes was not the start either team had in mind. The first period slowed down a bit as both teams had equal scoring chances and odd man rushes. With a little less than ten minutes left, Avon took the lead again. PG forward Patrick McGuirk took a pass from linemate Ryan Liebel (Jr.) and snapped it past a screened Margolin who got a glove on it.

The second period had a different twist as a lot of penalties were called. With Taft's defense trying to jump into the offense early in the second, Avon took advantage with defenseman Brian Malchoff (Jr.) sending a long pass to Nick Bonino (Jr.) who scored to give Avon the 4-2 lead. Taft responded with a weak goal from junior defenseman Bobby Torney. The shot from the point somehow found it way through Wolcott's legs to bring Taft within one. Taft had a great chance to tie the game with a 5x3. They moved the puck well, but Wolcott made some good saves to keep Avon ahead. After killing the 5x3, Avon was all over Taft. Avon's smaller players were quick to pursue the puck and moved up the ice well. With three minutes left in the period, Bonino scored his second on a shot that Margolin would like to have back. The puck went off his glove, in the air and rolled off his back into the net.

In the third period, Taft started back-up goalie Alex Kremer (Sr.). This would not help Taft as Avon struck 5 minutes into the period. With Avon's fourth line on the ice, they dumped the puck and rushed in after it. Kremer went behind the net to play the puck to his defense but lost it to Avon's Rick Longobardi (So.). Before Kremer could get back in net, Longobardi tapped the puck in front to a wide open James Chamness (So.) for the easy goal. After a Taft timeout, they responded with a goal on the powerplay from defenseman Brendan Reich (Jr.). The puck was bouncing around in front after Wolcott could not hold on to the rebound, and Reich moved in from the point to tap it in. With time running out, the game began to get chippy and physical, and Avon sealed the win with an empty net goal from senior Steve Capraro. The final was Avon 7 Taft 4.

box score:

- 1st Period -

Avon- C. Atkinson ( Wieland, Bonino) 1:05

Taft- Carty ( Balysky) 1:37

Avon- C. Atkinson ( Bonino) 3:33

Taft- Carty ( Pacioretty, Torney) 3:54

Avon- McGuirk ( Bradley, Liebel) 10:30

- 2nd Period-

Avon- Bonino ( Malchoff) 6:58

Taft- Torney ( Balysky) 14:35

Avon- Bonino ( Wieland, C. Atkinson) 16:58

- 3rd Period -

Avon- Chamness ( Mullane, Longobardi) 5:48

Taft- Reich-unassisted 17:03

Avon- Capraro- unassisted 17:48

- Goalies -

Avon- Wolcott- 44 Saves

Taft- Margolin-21 Saves- Kremer-9 -Saves

Players to Watch:

Randy Wolcott (2007), G, Avon

Not his best game although he did have surgery before the season, so could still be recovering .. although he made 44 saves, he started the game very shaky with two quick goals and allowed three soft goals overall .. butterfly style goalie, but goes down too early .. decent reflexes with an average glove .. seems to lose the puck a tad to easily when there is some traffic in front .. tendency to give up too many rebounds .. is going to need to be stronger in net, if Avon plans to get into the playoffs .. will be interesting to monitor his progress the rest of this year and next.

Ken Trentowski (2006), D, Avon

Shows an ability to carry the puck up the ice and is an integral part of Avon's power play .. moves the puck extremely well ... boasts a good point shot which he consistently keeps low and on target .. plays on the penalty-kill .. a little weak down low in the defensive zone .. needs to bulk up if going to compete with stronger players at the next level. (11-1-5-6)

Patrick Mullane (2008), F, Avon

As a freshman, he is a good skater with a nice, powerful stride .. boasts decent size and works hard along the boards .. very quick in the offensive zone and moves around well to find the open areas .. forechecks and backchecks hard .. needs to work on his shot which isn't unusual given his youth .. it should be interesting to watch his progress. (11-1-2-3)

Brian Malchoff (2007), D, Avon

Talented defenseman with good passing skills .. plays on the second unit powerplay .. had a nice assist on Avon's fourth goal .. moves the puck up the ice well .. patient with the puck and possesses solid instincts .. he is small for a defenseman, listed as 5'9", however he is surprisingly strong on his skates .. does not possess a great shot .. will be a good college player, remains to be seen if anything more .. member of USA U-17 team. (11–0-6-6)

Cam Atkinson (2007), F, Avon

One word – fast .. he is all over the ice .. his two goals where him just hanging around the net finding the loose pucks .. very small (generously listed as 5'8") .. consistently chases the puck, which causes him to be out of position .. a threat every shift on the ice .. his size will be an issue, but a fun player to watch. (11-5-10-15

Other notables: Ryan Liebel (2006), F, Avon, 11-8-3-12, Lee Moffie (2008), D, Avon, 11-0-3-3

Andrew Margolin (2007), G, Taft

Similar to Wolcott, not his best game .. let in four or five goals that were on the soft side and did not look like his head was in the game .. seems to control his rebounds .. average glove and reflexes .. will be interesting to monitor his progress the rest of this year and next.

Eric Baier (2006), D, Taft

Good offensive upside .. skates very well and rushes and moves the puck up the ice well .. possesses a solid shot from the point that he needs to use more, especially on the powerplay .. jumped up into the offense in the third when Taft needed a goal .. needs to be more strong in the defensive zone .. had a hard time handling the smaller, quick Avon forwards.

Max Pacioretty (2007), F, Taft

Had a nice assist on the first Taft goal .. has a strong shot that he keeps nice a low .. played the point on the powerplay when Taft had the 5x3 .. makes smart decisions with puck .. very feisty in front on the net .. needs to use his shot more .. probably not his best game .. look forward to seeing his progress .. member of USA U-18 team.

Jack Downing (2007), F, Taft

Good size (listed as 6'2") .. had a quiet first period, but a few big hits in the second and third .. plays the powerplay and shorthand .. moves the puck well .. strong along the boards and seems to like the physical game .. possesses a nice shot .. like most of the Taft players, probably not his best game.

Other notables: Andrew Balysky (2007), F, Taft