Middlesex vs Governor’s. Fives Are Alive.
Governor’s Academy travelled to the Pratt rink in Concord, MA home of the Middlesex School for a Friday night tilt. The 6 o’clock start time was delayed over 20 minutes while they tried to get the game clock to operate. They did not get it fixed, so the game began with no clock.
Governor’s came out strong, playing physical hockey and controlling play. First shot of the game from Govs captain Ian Olenik went bar down down for a 1-0 lead. On the next shift, Middlesex forward Shane Jellison slid an off speed shot on the ice past the Govs goalie to tie the game. A couple shifts later, with a faceoff to the right of Middlesex goalie AJ Finta, Olenik gets his 2nd goal of the night with a shot to the net right off the faceoff beating Finta five-hole. Middlesex would answer back when JoJo Calo scored a nice short side goal to tie it.
The momentum changed when Govs was called for a five minutes major. Middlesex forward Calo promptly got his second of the night from the point. Next shift, a nice open ice hit on a Middlesex forward was also called a five minute major, questionable call and once again Middlesex capitalized when D Man Rex Mabbs bangs home a PP goal to take a 4-2 lead. That would end the 1st.
Second period there was more 5 on 5 hockey. Olenik got his 3rd of the night to get Govs within one. Middlesex was relentless on their forecheck causing Govs D to turn the puck over and they once again capitalized when Jack Francini scored short side to go back up two. However, Govs wasn’t finished and ended the period with Cam Russo scoring a nice goal over Finta’s shoulder.
Heading into the third it was 5-4 in Middlesex’s favor. The teams had to deal with more clock issues. Still not being able to display the game clock they tried to use a basketball scoring clock. Then random buzzers began going off during game play which was frustrating for both teams and all the fans. Despite all the distractions, Governor’s was able to tie the game on a PP with under two minutes left. Colin Elliott was the goal scorer.
The game went into OT, but fittingly ended in a 5-5 tie.
1st Star. Ian Olenik (Governor’s)
2nd Star. Jojo Calo (Middlesex)
3rd Star. Cameron Russo (Governor’s)
