Masuk Free Press

On Wednesday, Feb. 7, the Masuk boys hockey team had a 4 – 2 win over the division two Watertown-Pomperaug team. 

The game started off rough; just less than a minute in, Watertown-Pomperaug number 27 received a two minute penalty. Masuk tried to capitalize on the power play with shots from junior Connor Kehlenbach, freshman Ryan Ewald, senior captain Nick Kondub and sophomore Luke Kondub. Big hits from seniors Trey Migliarese and captain Connor Ewald add to the intensity of the game.

4:48 into the first period N. Kondub scored with the assist from L. Kondub, putting Masuk on the board first.  At 5:47, sophomore goaltender Maddex LaFountain made a save, but Watertown-Pomperaug followed up with another shot and scored, tying the game at 1 – 1. 

Shots came from freshman Tommy DaPonte, junior Christian LaBella and Kehlenbach. Hits from senior captain James Cybart and Migliarese contributed greatly on the defense as well as multiple saves by LaFountain. With 5:20 left in the period, N. Kondub breaks some ankles while R. Ewald holds a strong defense. 

With 1:19 left, Watertown-Pomperaug number 14 received a two minute penalty. Shots came from L. Kondub, N. Kondub and Migliarese, but Masuk could not find the back of the net. The first period ended tied 1 – 1.

“I feel like Watertown-Pomperaug has always been known as a tough matchup. Last year we played them at their rink and it was a hard game but we ended up in a tie but this year we knew that we had to come in hard and we did,” said N. Kondub.  

The second period started with a strong offensive effort from Masuk in the first minute. LaFountain made a save, but once again Watertown-Pomperaug retaliated and scored, giving them a 2 – 1 lead. 

At 5:24, N. Kondub received a two minute penalty. Masuk stepped up on defense with numerous saves from LaFountain. 

Soon after, N. Kondub scored with the assist from L. Kondub, tying the game back up, the score now 2 – 2. 

After more shots on the goal by N. Kondub, freshman Graham Cybart takes a hard hit from Watertown-Pomperaug, J. Cybart retaliates by leveling the kid. 

With about five minutes left, Watertown-Pomperaug number 7 served a two minute penalty. L. Kondub scores an unassisted goal on the power play, bringing Masuk into a 3 – 2 lead.

At 2:33 left, senior Max Laroche served a two minute penalty. At the disadvantage, Masuk played out the period on defense with saves from LaFountain and solid defense from J. Cybart and R. Ewald. Masuk ended the second period with a 3 – 2 lead. 

“I mean it definitely helps that we put Nick [Kondub], Luke [Kondub], and Christian [LaBella] back together. The three of them are a very dangerous line,” said head coach Terrance Stroz. “But overall our effort, everything comes down to our effort and we worked extremely hard tonight so that was definitely the difference maker in tonight’s game.”

The third period started with a save from LaFountain and shots from L. Kondub, Migliarese and N. Kondub. At 3:33, DaPonte served a two minute penalty and LaFountain made back to back saves. 

6:07 into the third, N. Kondub scored his third goal of the night with the assist going to L. Kondub, the score now 4 – 2 in Masuk’s favor. 

LaFountain held down the defense with another save, DaPonte and N. Kondub tried to find the back of the net. With 6:08 left in the game, Watertown-Pomperaug number 15 served a two minute penalty. Masuk tried to capitalize on the power play with shots from R. Ewald, J. Cybart and N. Kondub. 

As the game came to a close, Migliarese made a hit, N. Kondub made multiple more attempts on goal. The game ended in a 4 – 2 win for the Panthers.

Masuk faces off next against Newtown-New Fairfield on Friday, Feb. 9, at the Danbury Ice Arena.