Despite not advancing to the D2 playoffs, the Archbishop Ryan Raiders ended the season with a 4-3 victory vs. Oxford on Feb. 14 and a close 2-1 loss vs. Lower Merion on Feb. 25th.
On Monday, Feb. 14 at the Jefferson Health Northeast Skate Zone, Archbishop Ryan outlasted Oxford 4-3 in a tightly contested, physical battle. Archbishop Ryan’s Anthony Masino netted the first goal of the game and Aronne Arehart followed that up with his first goal of the night to give Archbishop Ryan a 2-0 lead in the first, but Oxford’s Trent Keenan quickly responded to make the score 2-1 heading into the second period.
Just over four minutes into the second period, Oxford’s Logan Keenan tied the game, but Archbishop Ryan quickly responded with two goals in the next two minutes. The first Raider’s goal came from Nick Nowosielski, assisted by Connor Lappe, and the next being Arehart’s second goal of the game, assisted by Patrick Schubert and Elaina Grace.
Towards the end of the second period and into the third, the matchup became very physical. After the game Arehart noted how the Raiders game-planned and reacted to that style of play.
“We just wanted to get up as many shots as we could and work hard. We knew we could beat this team if we got enough shots, outworked them, and kept our discipline,” said Arehart.
POST GAME INTERVIEW WITH ARCHBISHOP RYAN SOPHOMORE ARONNE AREHART AND SENIOR NICK NOWOSIELSKI - BY JOHN WILSON
Nowosielski also gave his thoughts on what Archbishop Ryan did well, as well as what the Raiders could improve upon going forward.
“We had a lot of shots on goal in the first two periods. We outworked them, got pucks deep, we were physical and forced turnovers in the defensive zone and capitalized on them,” said Nowosielski. “We can definitely improve on our third period play. One shot in the third period isn’t going to be enough against better teams, but we were able to hold onto the lead this game and that’s all that matters.”
Oxford’s Brody Ford scored with 4:32 left, assisted by Mason Fetterolf and Trent Keenan, which made the game very close in the final minutes, but Archbishop Ryan was able to toughen up and secure the victory.
Archbishop Ryan Stats:
1-(14:02) Anthony Masino, Unassisted
1-(3:17) Aronne Arehart (Daniel Kirn)
2-(14:18) Nick Nowosielski (Connor Lappe)
2-(13:55) Aronne Arehart (Patrick Schubert, Elaina Grace)
Dillon Gallagher: 21 Saves on 24 Shots, 3 GA
Oxford Stats: 1-(2:01) Trent Keenan, Unassisted 2-(15:44) Logan Keenan, Unassisted 3-(4:32) Brody Ford (Mason Fetterolf, Trent Keenan) Zach Keenan: 13 saves on 17 shots, 4 GA