Washington, CT – Taft traveled to The Frederick Gunn School in what was a spirited back-and-forth game.
Gunn was able to get on the board first, just over 11 minutes into the first frame, when Lukas Reisen found Dylan Hall to put Gunn up 1-0. They would take this lead into the locker room as Alex Schnarr was able to shut the door on any Taft chances in the first period.
Gunn extended their lead to 2-0 after Patrick Cerullo cut across the high slot and left a great drop pass for Alex Taylor as he absorbed contact. Taylor fired it at the net, where Whit Denzin was firmly planted in front. The puck rattled around the crease into the back of the net, where Denzin was credited with the goal. Just over a minute later, Taft responded to cut the lead in half when Jason Rothstein drove the net, fired a shot, and then collected his own rebound. As he collected the puck just below the goal line, he was able to find an open Domenico Clarizio in the slot for the finish.
The third period was a war as both teams faced adversity. Taft was relentless in their
pressure throughout, while Gunn managed to kill a long 5-on-3 power play. Gunn added an empty-netter with 39 seconds left on the clock when Ryan Tartaglione sealed the victory for the Highlanders. Alex Schnarr took the win in net while Hunter Dryden absorbed the loss for Taft.
Three Stars
First – Alex Schnarr (Frederick Gunn)
Second – Dylan Hall (Frederick Gunn)
Third – Jason Rothstein (Taft)
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images