Dragons Beat Mustangs on the Ice

With two teams returning plenty of fire power and offensive weapons, many would have expected a wide-open, high scoring game to open the hockey season. 

Yet two sophomore goaltenders thought otherwise, stepping in for their first significant starts of their careers, resulting in a 2-1 Dragons win.

Brick's Jake Lampiasi picked up the win in net, stopping 18 shots and yielding just one. The sophomore took over for graduated Eddie Rafferty, who was named the All Shore 'A' division second team goalie.

Memorial's Tim Schiess was tagged with the loss, displaying anything but a losing effort. He replaces multiple year starter in Kevin Talty. Schiess was the busier of the two goalies, turning aside 36 shots.

"Tim played very well for us today," said Mustangs Head Coach Chip Bruce. "We are expecting big things from him, he's a gamer."

"I thought both goalies played well," said  Dragons Head Coach, Bob Auriemma. "(Lampiasi) managed to come up with some big saves and heads up plays."

A scoreless first period was anything but uneventful.

Testing the young netminders, both teams fired shots nearly every opportunity they got. As expected, plenty of post-whistle scrums broke out.

Dragons Ryan Price gave Brick Memorial an early powerplay where the 'Stangs racked up four shots. The favor was shortly returned as Adam Person took his first trip to the penalty box with 8:44 to play in the first.

"We knew we had to stay away from the post whistle stuff," said Auriemma. "We didn't want to burn our legs killing penalties all game."

The Mustangs took seven penalties compared to the Dragons two.

Schiess proved his worth early, stopping defensemen Tyler Iannarone's initial shot and the follow up rebound by Tyler Martin.

As time was winding down on the opening period, Memorial's Steven Bruno created a turnover and was sprung on a breakaway. Lampiasi came off his line with a diving poke check. Just before time expired, Adam Person rushed to collect the rebound and shot the puck over the net.

After an unsuccessful Brick powerplay, Iannarone floated a shot on net that seemingly fooled everybody, ringing off the crossbar. Quickly, the puck was cleared to Colin Trevors, who rushed up the ice created a two-on-one with Nick Spinelli. Trevors slid a pass to Spinelli who ripped a shot to give the 'Stangs a 1-0 lead 3:47 into the second period.

Memorial had a chance to expand on the lead when Brendan Dowd was called for hooking, but the powerplay was ended shortly when Adam Person took a penalty. With Dowd out of the box and Brick on the powerplay, Ryan Price slapped in a rebound with 5:48 to go in the second to tie the game.

Again, a crucial save was made with time winding down in a period. In the second Schiess got the best of Andrew Reiss who was alone in front attempting to give the Dragons the lead.

To start the third the Dragons were denied on an incredible opportunity, a full two minute 5-on-3. Yet with only three skaters, the Mustangs did a great job getting in the shooting and passing lanes.

"It's something we work on in practice," said Bruce. "We just managed to carry the basics over. It was very effective for us."

With 8:05 to play, Schiess made the save of the game. With Ryan Price right in front the netminder threw his glove up to snag a shot before falling to the ground.

From that point on, both teams played conservative, making safe passes, looking like they would both be satisfied with a tie.

As a puck caromed out to Tyler Iannarone, the defensemen stepped into the vacated area in the slot as there was a group of players battling for the puck on the boards.

The righty shot playing the right side, got inside the circle and unleashed a quick wrist shot that Schiess could not reach with his glove, giving the Dragons a 2-1 lead with 2:00 to play.

"He's been working extremely hard," says Auriemma, of Iannarone. "He's a baseball player with good hands, and did a nice job tonight on his breakouts."

Things became even more difficult for the Mustangs, as Tyler Person took a penalty with 1:30 left as were unable on to tie the game shorthanded.

"We just couldn't finish our rebounds," said Bruce. "Both teams played well, we have to get them back next time."

Next Saturday, Brick Memorial will travel to Watchung Hills, while the Dragons are back in action on Tuesday at Winding River, to take on Monsignor Donovan. 

Both schools will be taking on CBA in their third game of the season.