Kent, CT– Deerfield Academy took to the road to play rival Kent School. Junior Aiden Hopewell started for the Kent Lions in net and senior multi-sport athlete John Tolve for the visitors. Kent came in at 10-10-2 and Deerfield at 9-11-2. Both teams are likely out of the playoffs but quality teams looking to finish strong.
The first period started strong for the Lions who were without Cornell commit Gio Digiulian for this game. Three minutes and 28 seconds into the first period, Jack Roberts tipped a Jacob Ingstrup shot home from the point with an assist to Braden Pohlman to make it 1-0 Kent. Just over two minutes later, Denver Damphousse carried the puck in from the blue line and hit Pohlman back at the point who ripped home Kent’s second goal. Ryan Diffley snapped the puck home off a pass from Owen Clifford. It was 2-1. With 3: 25 left, Alex Bales struck from the point this time on a pass from Sam Pfefferle who grabbed the faceoff win by Chris Bugliosi. It was 3-1 Kent. Deerfield took a timeout and responded soon after. The Lions had the most dangerous lead in hockey and sure enough back came Deerfield. Tom Molson pulled Deerfield within one. The period ended with Kent up 3-2.
The second frame featured a couple penalties on each side but no power play goals. Play was even and net front and board battles were hard. Deerfield struck with 8:47 left when Molson flew up the left wing and made a cross crease pass that went off Jakub Kohn on the net drive right to Clifford who stopped on the net for the goal. It was 3-3 and the period ended that way, setting up for a legendary third period.
The third period was fast, physical, furious and legendary as both squads worked to pop the winner home. With 5:33 left Jack Roberts snapped the puck, hit the post and fired home the rebound to give the Lions the lead 4-3. Owen Mahar won the faceoff cleanly just before the goal to Damphousse who rimmed it low to Stefano Pietrantonio who found Roberts in the high slot. It was a well set up play. The game continued to be intense and there was a scrum with 3:20 left that led to a five-minute penalty to Deerfield and two-minute penalty to Kent so they played 4v4. Then Kent took another penalty and Deerfield had a 4v3 power play for a while and then they finished 4v4 and the game ended with Kent winning 4-3. It was interesting and Deerfield had some quality looks. Both teams played hard, desperate and tough hockey. Both goalies played well and it was one of the best contests of the year.
Three Stars
First: Jack Roberts (Kent)
Second: Alex Bales (Kent)
Third: Owen Clifford (Deerfield)