Sports
Fairfield Prep Hockey Blanks East Haven, 4-0
John Galiani records 16 saves for Jesuits, who rebound from 3-2 overtime loss to Hamden
Coming off a tough 3-2 overtime loss to Hamden a week ago, Fairfield Prep hockey coach Matt Sather thought his team played only “okay” in Saturday's 4-0 victory over East Haven at the Wonderland of Ice.
Jesuits’ senior goaltender John Galiani recorded 16 saves en route to the shutout, making the big saves when he needed to.
With a 4-0 triumph, it is hard to imagine the winning team being just “okay”, but Sather felt his club could have played much better.
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“We were not aggressive early and we allowed a lot of scoring chances in the second period," Sather said.
Taking a 1-0 lead into the second period on a goal by sophomore Connor Henry, the Jesuits (7-2) played back and did allow East Haven (4-3) to get several quality scoring chances again Galiani.
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A prime scoring opportunity came with just over eight minutes to go when Galiani first stopped junior Matt Barcomb with his left pad in close and then followed it up with a terrific glove save on freshman Stephen Marsico.
“John has been great for us all year,” Sather said. "He is a strong goaltender who is great in being in position for first shots and controlling the rebounds.”
Despite being off their game in the second period, the Jesuits managed to score two goals on East Haven senior netminder Sam Gavigan, who made 31 saves.
The Jesuits went up 2-0 when sophomore David White scored in the slot with 4:17 to go in the period.
Just over three minutes later, junior Evan Antisdale scored with a quick wrist shot from the point that beat Gavigan’s glove hand.
In the third period, the Jesuits fired 17 shots on Gavigan with only one of them finding the back of the net. Senior forward Bryan Puffer scored just in front of Gavigan as his shot trickled through the goalie's pads.
“We were much better in the third period,” Sather said. “We were better defensively and were more aggressive on the offensive side of the game.”
The Jesuits will be back in action on Wednesday night at West Haven (5-1-1) in a SCC divisional battle at 6:30 p.m.
