By TIM IRVING
At the beginning of the hockey season, Aquinas coach Chuck Dossier and Penfield coach Nathan Miller found themselves with an open date on the schedule.
“We’re good friends and in talking about the two programs, wanted to get together and he’s got a nice top unit over there, “ Miller said after the Patriots came away with a 4-0 win over the Li’l Irish on Friday.
The Patriots entered the game ranked eighth in the State in Class A and needed just 2:39 to get on the board. On a power play, Sean Smith’s shot from the right side was tipped by Ryan Militello in front for a 1-0 lead.
Ten minutes later, Angelo Latore dug the puck out of skates, came out in front and backhanded a shot on net, the rebound sat by the left post where Sean Walsh knocked it in and the Patriots led 2-0 after one.
“We work on a lot of movement in practice and finding small areas and space and our group does a really good job of getting to areas where they’re open and available, “ Miller said.
Penfield might have been up by more but Andrew Gatti stopped 16 shots in the first period to keep Aquinas in it.
20 seconds into the second period, Jacob Weiss skated into the Irish zone and fired a wrister between Gatti’s pads for a 3-0 Patriots lead.
At the other end, the Patriots defense kept Aquinas from getting shots to junior goalie Abby Seaman but when they did, she handled them easily.
Miller said, “Her number came up and she played really well and made some big saves. Our team as a whole has bought in to the team ‘D’.”
Still in the second, Andrew Martin’s shot from the point kicked free to Mason Maksymiu for his second goal of the year to leave the 4-0 final.
Seaman stopped all 14 shots she faced while Gatti doubled that with 28 stops.
Penfield improves to 10-1-1 on the season while handing Aquinas just their third loss of the campaign.
“Staying healthy number one is key to success going forward and keeping in stride, I think we’re right there in the mix. “ Miller said.
The Patriots face Churchville-Chili immediately on Saturday afternoon and then face the Saints again next Saturday in Webster.
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