Rutland, VT – Neutral Zone was at Spartan Arena in Rutland on Feb 15th for the Middlebury at Rutland game. Seniors from both teams were honored before the game making it a special night for them and their parents. Although the final score was 5-1 Rutland, the play was more balanced with the total shots on net at the end of the game favoring Rutland only by a 23-22 margin. Rutland’s goalie Noah Bruttomesso (#1) was in his usual good form and made some key saves to allow Middlebury on the scoreboard just one time.
In the early part of the first period, both teams went back and forth in a feeling out process with only a couple good scoring opportunities Rutland took a penalty about midway through the period but Midddlebury could muster only 2 shots on net with the man advantage and neither were Grade A chances. Rutland got on the scoreboard first when their sniper Cameron Rider (#23) blistered a shot past Middlebury goalie TJ Baron (#30) after receiving a pass from defenseman Jacobb Downs (#4). A few minutes later, Rutland got their second goal by Jacobb Downs with the assist going to his fellow defenseman Ethan Wideawake (#24). Despite having a 2-0 lead after the first period, both teams played well with lots of good passing and strong zone breakouts to provide entertaining hockey for the fans of both teams.
Middlebury came into the second period with some jump in their skates and scored early on a goal by assistant captain Kellan Bartlett (#23) with assists going to captain Cole Schnoor (#6) and Jake Kadar (#13). It didn’t take Rutland very long to answer that goal with one of their own as Cameron Rider tallied his second goal of the evening unassisted. Late in the period, Cameron Rider got his hat trick goal on a nice feed from senior Graham Seidner (#13). The period ended with Rutland up 4-1.
Like the first period, the action was back and forth to start the third period with each team exchanging scoring bids. Both goalies made some nice saves to keep the score 4-1 for much of the period. Rutland got their fifth and final goal by junior Aiden Good (#5) with assists going to his two line mates Cameron Rider and Graham Seidner. In the end, the fans were treated to a good hockey game and one the Rutland seniors will remember.
1st Star: Cameron Rider (#23) Rutland
2nd Star: Ethan Wideawake (#24) Rutland
3rd Star: Kellan Bartlett (#23) Middlebury