The Wolfpack Ice Hockey team traveled to Mercer County last Thursday for their first-ever game against Colonial Valley Conference members West Windsor Plainsboro High School South.
Midway through the opening period senior co-captain Tanner Muscatella scored the Wofpack’s first goal (and eventual game winner) off a nifty one-two pass from junior defenseman Chris Harquail and sophomore forward Ryan Muscatella. The Pack continued to mount strong pressure in the Pirates’ zone through the remainder of the first period, peppering their opponent’s goal with shots, but the puck refused to fall.
Neither team was able to capitalize in the second period. Finally a little over a minute after the opening face-off in the third period, the Pack’s offense erupted as Ryan Muscatella struck pay dirt with an unassisted goal. Seven minutes later sophomore forward Adam Richards, off a set-up from Harquail and Tanner Muscatella, tossed the puck into the back of the Pirate’s net. Ryan Muscatella, off an assist from Tanner Muscatella and freshman forward Ray Law, scored next with 2:12 left on the clock. And just seven seconds later, freshman forward Doug Olcese sealed the deal with an assist from senior co-captain and forward Nick Hamilton.
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Wolfpack netminder Jack Harper stopped 23 Pirate shots, recording the Pack’s first shut-out of the season and their second straight win having beaten conference rival Jefferson 5-1 earlier in the week.
In that game against Jefferson, Wolfpack senior goaltender Jamie deIturrondo stopped 34 of Jefferson’s shots, only letting in one goal late in the second period.
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Meanwhile WMC’s senior co-captain Tanner Muscatella scored two goals, and his brother, sophomore Ryan netted one. Senior Dan Primavera and sophomore Adam Richards each had tallies as well. Freshman Connor Duhe finished up the scoring with his first career varsity goal to give the Pack a resounding lead that Jefferson simply could not overcome.
All information and photos provided by Pam Fischer and William deIterrundo.
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