Head Coach and Portledge alum Mike Goodrich '88 relishes the opportunity to bring his Fairlawn High hockey team out to Long Island each season to play against Portledge at Beaver Dam. Mike has very strong and positive feelings about his time at Portledge. On many an occasion he has commented about how his Portledge experience helped shaped his entire life. Last night was particularly special for everyone involved because many of Mike's former teamates as well as Mike's parents, who had worked so hard to send him to Portledge in the first place, were in attendence at the Portledge v. Fairlawn Varsity Boys Ice Hockey game. This would be the second ever meeting between the boys ice hockey teams from these two schools, with Portledge taking last year's game by a score of 4-2. Thus, the stage was set for another exciting night down at "the Dam".
How Did This Overtime Thriller Unfold?
Even though Portledge enjoyed a territorial edge during the first period, they could't seem to find the right connection needed to score a goal. The heavy Panther pressure created many chances, but yielded no tangiable results as half way through the opening session the score remained tied at zero. Then, while Portledge was on the power play, the talented Fairlawn duo of #s 12 and 3 managed to create a turnover and head down the ice towards the Portledge zone. At first it looked like Sophomore defensemen David Wilson had thwarted their attack, when the Clippers #12 made a spin-a-ramma move on a losse puck and sent a perfect pass to his mate on the far post leading to the opening goal of the game. The Panthers looked a bit dejected by this unlikely turn of events, and the rest of the first period went by without any real strong chances for either team.
The Panther's play at the start of the 2nd continued to be less than trilling, and only the incredible goaltending of Sophomore keeper Sal Magliocco kept Fairlawn from extending their lead. Mags made some awesome saves on what looked to be sure goals for the Clippers. THEN THE PORTLEDGE OFFENSE EXPLODED! Wilson made a nice play to break the Panthers out of their own zone and the Senior line of captain Zach Lombardi, "Big Al" Vitsentzos and
"Lil' Dan" Leavey finished the break off with Vitsentzos getting the goal. In the next five minutes the Panthers tallied twice more, with the Lombardi notching both goals. Everything seemed to be going well for Portledge as the teams retired to their dressing rooms following this exciting period. Little did we all know.
The first half of the third was uneventful, but then, with about six minutes left to play, Portledge was assessed two simultaneous penalties giving Fairlawn a 5 on 3 advantage. In a gutsy and unorthodox move, Fairlawn coach Goodrich pulled his goalie to make it six attackers v. three defenders. The risky gamble paid off as Fairlawn scored with time remaining on one of the penalties. Even though their goalie was sent back in during the ensueing power play, the Clippers soon scored again and this back and forth contest seemed headed for overtime. In the second minute of the OT session the Portledge line of Freshmen Steve DiBartolomeo, Junior Renny Kraft and Senior Austin Prey drew a Fairlawn penalty by apllying a strong forecheck anfd forcing a Clipper defenseman to haul down Kraft in the slot. The Portledge power play took some hard shots at the Fairlawn keeper, but then another turnover sent the Clipper penalty killers flying outn of the zone on a break. Seconds later a perfect shot beat Magliocco and the FAIRLAWN PLAYERS WERE MOBBONG THE ICE IN CELEBRATION! What a game! As much as the Portledge players wanted a victory, sometimes it just doesn't turn out that way. Still, the Panther skaters should be commended for their effort and fine play, and all our congratulations go out to the Fairlawn Clippers and their coach Mike Goodrich, Portledge Class of '88.
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