Rockland got back to its winning ways with a 2-1 victory, improving to 8-1-2 on the season. Senior captain Matt O’Brien broke a 1-1 tie and scored the game-winner with 5:34 remaining in the third period.
In a very physical game from start to finish, it was the Rockland Bulldogs who came out on top of the Coyle-Cassidy Warriors in a boys hockey game on Saturday night.
Rockland got back to its winning ways with a 2-1 victory, improving to 8-1-2 on the season. Senior captain Matt O’Brien broke a 1-1 tie and scored the game-winner with 5:34 remaining in the third period.
The Bulldogs gave up the first goal of the game, as the Warriors’ Evan Studley found the back of the net off his own rebound. But Rockland head coach Mike Flaherty’s squad would not trail long, as freshman Nick Leander responded only 20 seconds later with a goal resulting from beautiful puck movement by junior Brian Goode and senior Joe Campanile.
“Nick Leander doesn’t get a lot of ice time,” said Flaherty. “It was his first goal in his career. He did exactly what we needed him to, go to the net, look for a rebound, battle a little bit, and just put one home. I’m happy for him.”
The defense was stellar all night for Rockland, keeping the Coyle-Cassidy forwards to the outside on break-ins and getting sticks in the passing lane. That best defensive player on the ice was the Bulldogs’ senior captain and goalie, Harry O’Brien, who stood on his head, particularly down the stretch in the third period. O’Brien made 22 saves on the 23 shots he faced and did a great job of controlling rebounds and making quick adjustments on tipped shots.
“Harry means the world to our team, he’s the backbone,” said Flaherty of his goaltender. “I know in these games I can count on him. When he’s on his game we’re a much calmer team, we’re a better team. I thought he battled for pucks tonight. I thought he was aggressive. I thought he made really good technical plays, tying up pucks and moving pucks. Great game for him, he’s our savior back there.”
The game’s pivotal moment came when Matt O’Brien beat Warriors goaltender Griffin Speicher to blocker side in the top corner for the winning tally.
“There was a big hit in the corner from Mike Flaherty,” said coach Flaherty. “They turned the puck over and their defense was a little slow coming back after the hit. Matty opened up, took the lane and took a great shot. That’s Matty, though. He sees the ice well, and he knows when to jump. He jumped and I’m happy to see him get a goal.”