CBA defeats Shaker/Colonie 4-3 in OT Thriller

COLONIE — Even without leading scorer and alternate captain Hunter Pemrick, CBA was able to win in overtime against Shaker/Colonie in an intense matchup on Saturday night at the Albany County Hockey Facility, just three weeks after previously squaring off. In that matchup, CBA also came out victorious 5-2. This win brings the Brothers to 7-3-2 in league play (10-4-2 overall), while the Jets fall to 4-7-1 (4-11-1 overall).

CBA opened up the scoring with a power play goal with 10:12 elapsed time in the first period after a Joe Molloy interference. The goal was scored by defenseman Dale Hammond and assisted by forward Mike DeNisco. This was Hammond’s fourth goal on the year, and the only goal in the first period. Goaltender Dan Molloy had 12 saves in just the first period, as the Jets were having trouble possessing the puck which resulted in multiple CBA chances.

Jets captain Tyler Wilson then scored with 3:22 elapsed time to even the score at one apiece. Wilson’s goal was assisted by forward Noah Savasito and forward Joe Molloy.

“I’ve been watching Wilson play for years and we’ve wanted to do the best we could to tell our defenders to keep him in front of us and to not lose him. Tonight, there were times where we failed to do that but towards the end of the game we did a better job” CBA coach Blaine Drescher said about containing Wilson.

About three minutes later, Jets defenseman Geremi Navarro had a crucial body check as the Brothers were getting into a possible scoring position. However, Shaker/Colonie conceded shortly thereafter as DeNisco scored while both teams had a player in the penalty box; Mike Cochran with high-sticking for CBA and Joe Molloy with holding for Shaker/Colonie.

The Jets’ chances worsened even more after CBA captain Andrew Mesick scored unassisted with 14:01 elapsed in the second. While the Jets could have just bowed out there down 3-1, they did not. They kept fighting and forward Dan Egan scored with assists from David Clemenzi and Hannah Sharlow just 30 seconds later. The goal was set up by beautiful passing towards the back of the offensive zone by Egan, Clemenzi, and Sharlow. With the four goals in the second period, the Brothers held a slim one goal lead heading into the third period.

Shaker/Colonie came out strong in the third period, with forward Andrew Vosburgh scoring from a Wilson assist just in front of the net 40 seconds in. The game was very hard-fought for the rest of the third period, as both teams were getting chances but neither could capitalize, as Brandon Mohrhoff and Dan Molloy weren’t letting anything get by them. Both teams also made key defensive plays near the midpoint of the period. CBA defenseman Miles Desmarais stopped a 2-on-1 breakaway for the Jets which could have definitely resulted in a goal for the dangerous scorer Tyler Wilson. Shaker/Colonie defenseman Geremi Navarro had two very important poke checks in the defensive zone with approximately five minutes to go. The game remained a tie for the rest of the third, which meant that an overtime was necessary to decide the outcome.

With both teams looking for a hero, it was CBA freshman Ryan Dollar who rose to the occasion. Dollar regained a loose puck and sent it past Dan Molloy with 1:32 elapsed for the first shot of the overtime period. This was Dollar’s 11th goal of the season, and his first overtime goal. Dollar turned in a stellar performance, with an assist in the second period and the game winner in overtime.

Shaker-Colonie scored two consecutive goals, which gave the Brothers much more pressure than expected to pull it out after being up 3-1.

Drescher said, “Every time we got a goal, Shaker/Colonie did a great job of fighting back and answering. It was deflating at times but we continued to battle and give a good effort”.

STATS:

CBA:                                                                                                                                                 
Mike DeNisco, 1 goal 1 assist
Andrew Mesick, 1 goal
Dale Hammond, 1 goal
Ryan Dollar, 1 goal 1 assist
Joshua Edmunds, 1 assist

Shaker/Colonie:
Tyler Wilson, 1 goal 1 assist
Dan Egan, 1 goal
Andrew Vosburgh, 1 goal
Noah Savasito, 1 assist
Joe Molloy, 1 assist
David Clemenzi, 1 assist
Hannah Sharlow, 1 assist

GOALTENDING:
CBA: (Brandon Mohrhoff): 19/22, 86% saved
Shaker/Colonie: (Dan Molloy): 26/30, 87% saved