The Taft Rhinos showed up to play in their home opener against perennial prep powerhouse Salisbury School capturing their first win against the Knights since February of 2011. Since then Salisbury has dominated the series going 15-0-1 in the last 16 games and winning by a margin of 79-23.
While the Taft Rhinos are a well balanced team who can roll three lines throughout the game; they were led by their top line of Zack Tonelli–Tristan Fasig-Henry Molson who contributed to all 3 goals.
The game started out in an even match with both teams exchanging scoring chances but Salisbury took the lead with 4:26 remaining in the period when Texas native AJ Casperson stretched the ice and hit Matthew DeBoer in stride at the far red line who took it wide on the defender and fired a low, quick release snap shot that beat the goalie under the glove. Taft had a grade A opportunity to end the period with 33 seconds remaining when junior Wesley Carbone of St. Louis got the puck in the slot and fired a snap shot off the post.
Down 1-0 the Rhinos showed no quit and stayed aggressive against a deep and balanced Salisbury squad. “I thought we got humbled in our pre-season games at St. Paul’s and we took a very workman like approach to this game,” said Taft Head Coach Ryan Shannon, former standout Taft player himself before going to BC and having a long professional career.
Taft tied the game at the halfway mark with 9:17 remaining in the period when junior Max Willard snuck a low wrister from the point that was rebounded in front and Henry Molson was able to get this stick on it and fire it home.
The Rhinos wasted no time and scored three minutes later on a highlight reel goal by junior Zack Tonelli who was selected as our player of the game. It was similar to the way Salisbury scored their goal same end of the ice, drove wide on the Salisbury defender and fired a quick low snap shot under the glove in stride. He was not done there; he extended the lead to two a minute and half later off a loose puck turnover in front of the net which he had a quick but sturdy stick to slide it by the Salisbury netminders five-hole.
“Tonelli has a very serious, honest, hard working approach to the game and I thought it really showed tonight,” said Shannon. “He is a complete player who does everything for this team and leaves it all on the ice.”
Taft had another grade A chance a minute later on a 2v0 opportunity where Wesley Carbone passed cross crease to Nick Cullinan but Salisbury goalie Nick Haas went post to post and extended the pad to make the big sprawled out save to keep the game close. The Knights would respond bring the game within one goal when Bayard Hall snapped a low wrister from the point through traffic and on net which left a juicy rebound for Samuel Deckhut of Arizona to get his first career prep goal.
The third period was back and forth but neither team was able to score with credit to both goaltenders, especially Taft’s James Donaldson who saw a lot of pressure at certain points throughout the game but particularly in the third period.
Salisbury Head Coach Andrew Will, one of the all-time winningest coaches in prep hockey was nothing but complimentary to Taft after the loss. “I give Taft a lot of credit I thought they played really hard, they were patient waiting for us to make mistakes and when we did they capitalized. Their goaltender was excellent and they stuck to their game plan and grinded out the win.”
Talking with both coaches after the game they are both excited for their seasons and happy with their teams as whole.
Game Notes:
Salisbury is a deep squad as always; their top prospects didn’t shine in this particular game but their depth is what separates them and will make them hard to play against down the stretch. Their top two forwards are Lucas Mercuri and Jake Quillan who were excellent at the Berkshire/Hotchkiss jamboree but had an off night and their defensive corps was led by Bayard Hall and Jarod Crespo. Hall is starting to get some attention among NHL scouts for his size, athleticism and versatility and he showed flashes tonight of a high end prospect.
The player however who stood out the most for the Knights was Cole Vallese; a talented, shifty playmaker out of Maryland who had a slow transition from midget to prep school but has found his stride, playing with swagger and making a ton of plays. Dean Bauchiero remains one of the best uncommitted forwards in prep hockey.
Taft has an exciting top line in Henry Molson–Tristan Fasig– Zack Tonelli ; but had contributors from their second and third groups as well. They had a strong performance in net from junior James Donaldson along with two goals from Zack Tonelli but Tristan Fasig was a hard worker and opened up lanes and Colby College commit Henry Molson was a strong, physical, two-way presence who got pucks to the net and made plays in traffic. Other players who could get some NCAA and junior attention this season are skilled forward Nikita Kovalev, Wesley Carbone and Bobby Barrasso.
