By Nancy Carter — Sports Contributor
In an auspicious start to a new season, the Concord-Carlisle boys hockey team beat Acton-Boxborough 2-1 on December 18, with Sam Griswold starting in net.
The first period was solid skating and passing up and down the ice as both teams tested the goalies.
At the start of the second period, AB scored the first goal of the game. Just a few minutes later, CC responded when Jack Pesce took a shot, and the rebound bounced out to Ben Ohanian, who capitalized on it and evened the game up at 1-1.
Even with some power play chances, the game remained tied until early in the third period. An offensive zone faceoff left the puck bouncing between players’ skates, finally landing on Cam Doull’s stick. Fighting off pressure from the tough AB defensemen, Doull spun around and shot the puck through traffic, where it slid past the goalie for the go-ahead goal.
In the final 12 minutes, Griswold had to backstop many AB shots including a power play bid and the final two minutes of the game when AB pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.
Streak continues against Waltham
Three days later, the boys beat Waltham 3-1 at The Edge in Bedford, with Jason Swaim making 36 saves to help bring the team to a 3-0 record.
CC started the game with offensive pressure against Waltham, and the scoring opened when Joe Grasso skated the puck into the neutral zone before passing to Cam Doull, who unleashed a speedy wrist shot from the left side. Jason Swaim and the defensemen kept Waltham off the board for the rest of the first.
CC came out strong in the second and created a flurry of activity in front of the Waltham netminder but was turned away. Doull then skated the puck end-to-end, finishing his run with his second goal of the game, bringing the score to 2-0. Waltham was relentless with their attack, but Swaim’s athletic kick save midway through the second, plus Owen Moynihan’s solid backchecking and crafty stick work, prevented any Waltham goals.
The intensity continued as Oliver Erston cleared the puck from the CC end, which was chased down by Jack Pesce, who outskated a Waltham defender into the offensive zone. Pesce came away with the puck and released a wrister that found the back of the net for the 3-0 lead.
Late in the period, Erston and Chris Bono stood tall to protect their goalie in a scuffle, moving Waltham away from the CC net.
Will Steffens, Chris Sim, Erston, and Alex Fivek all used their bodies to keep Waltham at bay, pinning their men against the boards several times. The third period had Swaim making impressive moves, including a sliding save to keep the puck out of harm’s way. Waltham finally broke through at the five-minute mark, scoring their only goal.
After a short holiday break, the team was to participate in the Battle Road Classic in Lexington.
