The Ironmen Hockey team closed out their regular season campaign in historic fashion this past Tuesday afternoon, playing the first ever high school hockey game at the new UBS Arena, home of the NHL’s NY Islanders. Don Bosco faced off against Long Island’s own, Portledge High School, while the Islanders and UBS Arena staff rolled out the red carpet for both teams, everyone in attendance was treated to a back and forth hockey game between two of the top ranked high school teams in the NJ/NY area.
Vice Chairman – UBS Americas, Brian Hull, drops the puck in the first ever high school game at UBS Arena
Senior Captain, Nick Milmore (10g, 6a) gave Bosco the early lead, finishing off a scrum in front of the Portledge net to open the scoring. However, the Ironmen would give Portledge some life late in the opening frame as they converted on an odd man rush to knot the game at one apiece after the first period.
After regrouping in the locker room following the first period, Bosco came out and dominated play with 15 second period shots on net, but couldn’t break through as the Portledge goaltender made several point blank saves. “After the first we talked about getting stronger in offensive zone, grinding out possessions and working for those greasy goals that we’ve gotten all year,” Coach Toskos said.
DBP celebrates Senior Capt. Matt Imbriano’s game winner
Not to be outdone by his counterpart, Junior Goalie Ethan Marich (7-5, 2.23 GAA) kept the Ironmen in it the entire game, stopping 25 of 26 shots and spoiling Portledge’s attack on several occasions, making key saves to keep the game tied at one.
With under a minute to go in the third period, Portledge earned an offensive zone faceoff. Senior Captain Matt Imbriano (15g, 9a) took the draw and won it cleanly, pushing it forward between both Portledge defenseman and then it was off to the races. “When I got in the faceoff, I looked up and saw their defensemen spread out and I thought if there was a chance to do it, now was the time,” said Imbriano. Out skating both defenseman and with the game on his stick, Imbriano finished off the breakaway short side to give the Ironmen a 2-1 lead, scoring with 14 seconds remaining to seal Don Bosco’s 16th win of the season and finish with a 16-5-1 regular season record.
Next up #3 seed Don Bosco will host #6 seed Seton Hall Prep, Friday (2/11) at 8:00 pm in the Quarterfinals of the Gordon Cup at the Ice Vault.