Irizarry Makes 32 Saves in Montville Loss

The ice hockey team lost its first-round game in the High School Holiday Classic Monday afternoon at the Bridgewater Sports Arena, losing to No. 1-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan, 5-0.  With the loss, the Mustangs saw their record fall back to .500 on the season at 4-4 and will play the loser of the Middletown-Ridge game in the consolation bracket.

1st

2nd

3rd

Total

Montville (4-4)

0

0

0

0

Bridgewater-Raritan (7-0-1)

2

3

0

5

OVERVIEW

The game started off badly for the Mustangs as the Panthers scored two goals 13 seconds apart to put the Mustangs in an early 2-0 hole.

Trailing 2-0, the Mustangs came out strong in the early part of the second period getting two good shots on goal with a couple of strong shifts, but the Panthers countered quickly to go up 3-0.

The Mustangs managed only six shots on goal the entire game as the Panthers were able to keep the Mustangs bottled up in their end of the ice for much of the game.

MUSTANG OF THE GAME

Andrew Irizarry, goaltender – Irizarry faced 37 shots and was under constant pressure. Irizarry’s save percentage for the game was a respectable 86.5.

COACH'S TAKE

“We had some chances, but need to play a more physical game. We also need to get more shots on goal. You’re not going to win games with only six shots.” –Mustang head coach Chuck Fischer

THEY SAID IT

“We didn’t play that badly today. We stayed out of the box more than our other games. We need to work on our breakout so we can get into their zone and get more shots.” –Captain Ryan O’Lear

UP NEXT – Loser of the Middletown-Ridge game Tuesday at 3:40 p.m.