Inconsistency Dooms Rams

CARMEL—Starting strong isn’t a problem the Carmel ice hockey team has, but maintaining their game plan for the final two periods has proved to be a bit tougher. In their first two matches of the season the Rams have been tied after the first period only to lose to division foes Mahopac and Kennedy/Putnam Valley. first period only to lose to division foes Mahopac and Kennedy/Putnam Valley.

HOCKEY

Against Kennedy/PV, the Rams were tied after one and then let that strong start slip away in the second period.

“We came out and played well,” said coach Tom Domicoli. “Our consistency is poor, the first period ends and then we get out of our game plan and a 1-1 game is 3-1.”

After letting the game slip away in the second by allowing two unanswered goals the Rams came back stronger in the final period.

“We had it cut to 3-2 early in the third and were close to a tying a goal,” said Domicoli. “We made a dumb mistake, they went back and scored on a breakaway.”

With their two-goal lead restored, Kennedy/PV cruised to victory, adding two more goals for a 6-3 victory.

Sophomore Jackie Barnes, senior Tom Jezik and junior Mark Bauerle, who also contributed an assist, all scored for the Rams in a losing effort. Senior Mark Glaviano finished with 26 saves in net.

“It was an up and down game. We came out strong,” said Domicoli. “Struggled in the second and a few mistakes put us away in the third.”

Like the Kennedy game, the Rams came out strong against Mahopac in their season opener and used a strong fore check to generate their offense. Despite their strong play the period ended in a scoreless tie.

The Rams came out of the brief intermission a completely different team, no longer were they quick to clear the puck from the own zone, no longer were they causing turnovers with an aggressive fore check.

Instead they spent most of the period on their heels as the Indians controlled the puck and kept the pressure on Glaviano in net..

After keeping the Rams pinned in their own zone for most of the period the Indians finally broke through when junior Kevin Kennedy scored on a power play with 4:10 left in the period.

“We lost our intensity, we just panicked,” said Domicoli. “When things started picking up we panicked. We didn’t keep our heads, we started taking penalties and we didn’t do the little things that we’re supposed to be doing. It was us making little mistakes, we need to bang the puck off the boards and get it out. We were trying to get the puck out and they kept it in. And we paid the consequence for not getting the puck out of the zone.”

Glaviano finished the game with 33 saves but it wouldn’t be enough as the Rams took several penalties in the final period, leading to two more Mahopac power play goals.

“Mark’s always in the game, he keeps us in a lot games,” said Domicoli. “It hurts when you can’t get any offense generated, and he keeps you in the game.”

Offensively the Rams were unable to get much going after the first period and finished with just nine shots on goal.

“We went away from doing the small things, the simple things, and once we opened it up a little bit some of the newer players, even the older ones were out of sorts a little bit,” said Domicoli. “Where our success lied last year was when they realized we’re not gonna have an intricate offense. We just try to work it, get the puck deep and work to get our opportunities that way.”

The Rams next games are Friday Dec. 11 against at Lakeland/Panas at 5:30, and Sunday Dec. 12 against Yorktown, at 6:20. Both games will take place at the Brewster Ice Arena.