SAHS tied 3-3 with Msgr Farrell on Friday 1/3/20 at Dix Hills Ice Rink after a previous 6-2 loss against them on Dec. 16th.  The Friars faced the Lions, the team standing as number 2 in the CHSHL ‘AA’ Division, just ahead of the Friars who hold the number 3 spot as of Jan. 6th with a record of 4-2-1. These two strong teams will face off again on Feb. 3rd at Farrell’s home ice.

The first goal of the game wouldn’t commence until 6:14 was left in the first period, with Friars sophomore forward Carmine Pittelli scoring with an assist by junior defense Niklas Brienza. After a series of penalties for Farrell, the second goal scored on a power play penalty was made by defense Domenick Migliorato, with only 24.1 seconds left remaining in the period. 

The goal made in the second period from Friars senior forward Ryan Onderdonk was played with an assist by junior forward Luca Mandato. The Friars, determined to conquer a win, launched another goal at the 8:24 minute mark. Friar’s sophomore forward Jake Manfre makes a beautiful recovery by scoring this goal, after a miss from one of his teammates and is assisted by junior defense Ryan Desousa and Pitelli. Farrell does not let up, however, with Farrell forward Jake Loiacono carving out another goal, which is assisted by defense Ricky Arale, with nearly a minute left in the game (3-1). 

Entering the 3rd period, Loiacono forges a power play goal assisted by forward Richie Montello and Migliorato with 9:55 minutes remaining, leaving the game at a score of 3-2. The Friars’ chances of claiming a victory were impeded by 2 consecutive penalties made against the Friars at 6:49 and 6:17, with the Friars team tallied up to 3 players on the ice at this point. After a few more penalties made against our team at 6:17, 3:55, 2:00, 1:28 and 1:07 minutes, the shot clock buzzer erupted, leaving the game on a 3-3 tie. 

St. Anthony’s varsity hockey league holds 26 goals and 9 points, after winning against Fordham Prep, Xavier, Chaminade and most recently Iona Prep HS. 

Come out to Dix Hills to support the skating Friars vs. Fordham on Wed. 1/22/20 @6:00 p.m!!

Scoreboard Writer - Heather Occhino is a senior at St. Anthony’s, writing for her second year for Friars News. She is also a member of Creative Writing Club, Special Needs Ministry, Chorus and Theater Arts. She plans to major in English for college and become a journalist.

February 17, 2020

Sr. goalie Anthony Russo started out the game in the net, prepared for shots on the fly but as soon as the 1st period opened a penalty was made on Friars Jr. defense James Penzavecchia setting the tone. The Friars rev up to not let their guard down, by icing up the puck as a response to the Friars’ opponent enhancing the pressure on SA. The physical hostility rises as Chaminade makes the first goal (1-0) with 9:40 left in the period. As an act of recovery, Russo plays an impressive save before Friars Sr. forward Pat Allen ties up the game 1-1, following some strife on scoring from our side, going into the last few minutes of the period.

After the start of the 2nd quarter, a penalty is called on Chaminade with 7:53 left on the clock before SA Manfre scores a go-ahead goal, which is made with an assist by Sr. defense Jack Barone, leaving the game at 2-1. Friars Sophomore forward John Castronovo scores with an assist by Brienza, making the game 3-1. Next, Russo dives out in front of the net to make another save before the last 5 minutes of the period.

Then, on a breakaway, Chaminade cuts straight through the commotion and scores 3-2 against the Friars. SAHS Jr. forward Ryan Sheflin makes a shot tipped in by Allen with 2:40 remaining, marking the game 4-2 Friars. Lastly, a penalty is made against Jr. defense Ryan DeSousa for cross checking. DeSousa emerges from the box, like a cat coming in for the kill, right for a shot which just misses the net with 26 seconds left.

With 8:56 minutes left in the final period, the Friars still leading 4-2, both teams dabble as they become restless and slightly weary on the account of the high intensity each team is playing  with. Russo comes up big, successfully saving the puck against unexpected shots. Then, a questionable penalty is called on Barone with only a little over 5 and a half minutes left before DeSousa unfortunately is sent back to the penalty box. In the meantime, Friars Coach Lund calls a time out to organize defense. 

With 2 SA players in the box, a 5 on 3 is called on Chaminade for 25 seconds. Another ambiguous penalty, called through a myriad of offsides, is made against the Friars. However, we push on by icing the puck and Chaminade pulls their goalie as Russo makes a huge stick save with an impeding span of less than 2 minutes ticking away on the shot clock. Right after a time out is called at 1:46, Chaminade has 6 players off of the ice, playing with an empty net, and still rallies out to score with 11 seconds remaining. An abrupt fight which breaks out against the wall, finalizes the game which ends on a score of 4-3, a glorious win for the Friars!! Let’s go!!!

Mark your calendars to come cheer on your skating Friars in the Playoffs. Find playoff dates at https://friarathletics.org/main/teamschedule/id/3748529/seasonId/4518509 

Scoreboard Writer - Heather Occhino is a senior at St. Anthony’s, writing for her second year for Friars Media. She is also a member of Creative Writing Club, Special Needs Ministry, Chorus and Theater Arts. She plans to major in English for college and become a journalist.

February 17, 2020

The St. Anthony’s Friars played their last regular season game against Fordham Prep on Tuesday, February 5th at the Dix Hills Ice Rink, looking to continue their hot streak. The last 9 games saw the Friars come away with a 7-0-2 record. Heading into tonight’s action, the Friars clinched the 1st seed which gives them home ice advantage in the playoffs. 

The game opened up with the Friars taking an early penalty. The Friars penalty kill has played extremely well this year and tonight was no different. They forced a turnover and skated up ice as forwards Sr. Pat Allen and Jr. Luca Mandato broke into the Fordham Prep zone.  Allen made a great pass to Mandato who fired it home for the short handed goal to give SA an early 1-0 lead. The game would remain tight until late in the first period when So. Carmine Pitelli made a great pass to So. Jake Manfre who redirected it for the goal extending the Friars lead. Coach Lund said, “Jake is an excellent player who plays a strong overall game and is currently leading us in points.”

After a scoreless second period the Friars skated onto the ice looking to extend their lead and end their regular season with a win. However it was Fordham Prep who came out on the attack but goalie Sr. Joe Sciaretta was up to the task. Sciaretta stated, “Our defense played really well tonight helping limit their chances, overall the team played a real solid game just really helping me out.”  With Sciaretta playing well between the pipes it allowed the Friars to focus on getting a goal to put the game out of reach.

That goal would come when So. Jake Manfre would net his second of the game on the powerplay. Manfre said, “It was a great shot by Bobby Lane from the point and I was able to find the rebound in front and backhand it off the post and in.” Fordham Prep would break up the shutout with just 2 minutes left. The Friars would go on to win the game 3-1. Sciaretta finished the game making 17 saves. 

The Friars finished the regular season 11-2-2, a huge turn around from last season where the team finished just 8-5-4.  Coach Lund credits the turn around to getting contributions from everyone on the team and outstanding goaltending play all season long. The team is set for a rematch with Fordham Prep as they open up the first round of the playoffs on Thursday February 13th at the Dix Hills Rink, game two on Feb. 20th away and game 3 Feb. 25th 6:30pm at Dix Hills Rink.  Come out to support the Friars on what hopes to be another championship run.  

By Scoreboard Writer - Alex Rocco is a senior at St. Anthony’s High School, writing for his fourth year with the Friar Scoreboard.  He plans to study Sports Communications in college and pursue a career in Sports Media. He is also a member of NHS, SALT, Friar Faithful, Special Needs Ministry and Franciscan Youth Ministry.

February 18, 2020

The Friars took on an early lead with a goal from senior, Ryan Onderdonk, assisted by senior, Jake Karant, 33 seconds into the game. Paddy Wedge scored shortly after for Iona with an assist from Tommy Haggerty, to tie the game with 11:48 remaining in the 1st period. The Friars would answer back with an unassisted goal from senior, Jack Barone.

The Friars encountered a penalty, but quickly turned it around with a short-handed goal from junior, Luca Mandato, assisted by senior, Pat Allen and junior, Jake Barry. Mandato stated, “They were on the power play, we put pressure on them…and buried them.” The pressure the team put on their opponents brought them to their 3-1 lead going into the 2nd period. Where only one goal was scored by sophomore, Jake Manfre with an assist by sophomore, Carmine Pitelli. SA was up with a commanding 4-1 lead.

The Friars offense erupted in the third period scoring 3 goals. The scoring opened with junior Bobby Lane who was assisted by  juniors, Joe Messina and James Penzavecchia. The Friars continued to add numbers to the board after a pass from Manfre lead Onderdonk to his second goal of the night. Late in the 3rd period, senior captain, Pat Allen scored a short-handed goal from Mandato for the final score of night ending the game  7-1.

Friars goalie Anthony Russo played extremely well vs. Iona making big saves all game long. He finished with 13 saves and with champs only 3 weeks away this type of performance from not only Russo, is what it is going to take for the SA to capture another League Championship. This win puts the Friars in 1st place with 3 games left in the regular season including one against Chaminade who holds the number 2 spot in the CHSAA.

By Scoreboard Writer - Kallie Shanahan is a junior at St. Anthony’s, this is her first year with Friar Scoreboard. She is also a member of the chorus, NHS, SALT and Friar Faithful. In the future she hopes to major in sports communications and become a sports broadcaster.

ICE HOCKEY

For more information regarding hockey please reach out to the team manager Mr. Tom Rudzewick at gmtom@sahockey.org for more details.