Masuk Free Press

On Wednesday, Jan. 31, Masuk boys hockey gained an 11 – 3 win over the Milford Mariners.

Immediately from the puck drop, the game was aggressive, with hard hits from senior captain Nick Kondub and senior Trey Migliarese in the first few minutes. 

2:10 into the game N. Kondub took a shot, followed soon after by shots from juniors Christian LaBella, Connor Kehlenbach and freshman Ryan Ewald, adding to the fast paced intensity of the game. 

At 5:48 sophomore goaltender Maddex LaFountain made a save.

Around halfway through the period, freshman Tommy DaPonte scored with assists from sophomore Luke Kondub and R. Ewald. 

With 6:55 left in the period, LaFountain made another save and Masuk shifted to the defense with strong efforts from R. Ewald. 

At 5:33 R. Ewald serves a two minute penalty for tripping. Just a minute later, LaFountain made two more saves, however, Milford scored right at the end of the power play, tying up the score 1 – 1 at the end of the period.

The second period started with a renewed intensity from both teams. In just minutes R. Ewald, N. Kondub and L. Kondub took multiple shots on the goal.

“We realized we were playing really slow in the first period, making simple mistakes. We knew we had to pick it up, we had to play harder and make the right plays,” said senior captain Connor Ewald. 

Just 2:30 into the period L. Kondub scored with the assist from N. Kondub, bringing Masuk back into the lead 2 – 1. A minute later Milford served a two minute penalty for tripping, followed by shots from N. Kondub and L. Kondub. 

5:17 into the second N. Kondub scored with an unassisted snipe, bringing the score 3 – 1 and LaFountain made another save.

With 7:35 left in the period, N. Kondub scored with an assist from L. Kondub, the score now 4 – 1. 

Less than 20 seconds later, Migliarese received a two minute penalty. Milford scored on the power play, bringing the score to 4 – 2.

Later, N. Kondub scored his third and fourth goals of the game, bringing Masuk up 6 – 2. N. Kondub and Milford number 19 then both received two minute penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The aggression continued with a big hit from Migliarese with 1:04 left in the period. Thirty seconds later, LaBella also received a two minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. 

The second period ended with a Masuk lead, 6 – 2. 

The third period started just as aggressive as the last two, with C. Ewald leveling a Milford player. 

At 1:16 Milford scored, making the score 6 – 3 to which Masuk responded with a goal from L. Kondub assisted by N. Kondub. 

Soon after, LaBella scored an unassisted goal, bringing the score up 8 – 3 with Masuk in the lead. 

At 5:31 Milford number 12 received a two minute penalty. Masuk utilized the power play and N. Kondub scored with assists from L. Kondub and R. Ewald, the score now 9 – 3. 

At 6:21 senior captain James Cybart served a two minute penalty for holding.

The Panthers continued to have a strong defense with effort from R. Ewald and saves from LaFountain. 

With 3:12 left, after Milford number 9 served a two minute penalty for roughing, Cybart scored on the power play with assists going to R. Ewald and N. Kondub. The score was now in the double digits for Masuk, 10 – 3. 

Just under thirty seconds later, Masuk scored again, from sophomore Kyle Riccitelli and the assist to Migliarese. The game ended with a Masuk win 11 – 3.

“I think everybody played pretty hard. Shout out to [Riccitelli] for getting his second goal and Tommy DaPonte for his first, it was a good game overall,” said C. Ewald. 

Masuk faces off next against Watertown-Pomperaug on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at eight pm.