PRINCETON — When Princeton Day came out of the locker room to start the second period, he was ready to make a difference and put a dent in Christian Brothers’ score.
When Ros Nisangarachi converted Liam Jackson’s pass, it looked like the Panthers were on their way.
The Christian Brothers program, which hadn’t lost a game since February 2021, knew it had to respond.
Two goals in 77 seconds was the right answer and PDS couldn’t overcome the lead in a 6-1 loss to the Colts on Tuesday afternoon in Gordon Conference American Division play at PDS’s Lisa McGraw Rink.
PDS (1-1), which has its next six games at home, doesn’t have time to focus on losing as Gloucester Catholic (2-0) comes Thursday.
“We had our moments and I don’t think it was a 6-1 game because we had our chances,” PDS coach Scott Bertoli said. “Harley’s early in the second period when we scored and then gave up 30 seconds later was pretty deflating.”
When you’re facing the defending state champions, who went 27-0-3 last year and have a solid core to rebuild, giving away one or two quickly just won’t cut it.
Add in the fact that it was the Colts’ (1-0) season opener, and it only added to their motivation.
There were solid Panther efforts from the likes of Nissangaratchie who just kept fighting all game. Calvin Fenton was good in goal with 36 saves. Ace Evanchino seemed to be everywhere when he was on the ice, and Jackson had a good all-around game.
“A lot of our top kids had good games and they were noticeable,” Bertoli said. “We had a lot of chances, but this is in an older, experienced group that has had a lot of success. We have a group of young kids that can play and we’ve seen that. I hope when we play again in five weeks we’ve narrowed things down.”
CBA had six different players on the scoresheet, with Tomas Montelina scoring the goal, while Leighton Biasiedecki, Nick Leira, Sean Guinness, William Tiegeson and Christian Chuda scored the other goals.
Besiedecki and Derek Fiori each had a pair of assists, while Mantellino, Leira, Guinness and Phil Bermingham each had one helper.
“They have a little bit more depth in some areas and I think that was noticeable,” Bertoli said. “The result was disappointing and the effort was fine.”
The Panthers have shown they belong and don’t back down from anyone, and at some point the youth will turn to experience and then to wins.
“We have to be better defensively,” Bertoli said. “Our kids want to play and we want to play at a faster pace and we can make plays. Sometimes we lacked communication, too often we gave them speed and possession in the middle of the rink. We have to control the puck better. But it’s a good group and they’re excited about this year.”
The Panthers need more exciting moments like that early in the second period.
Christian Brothers (1-0) 2 2 2 – 6
Princeton Day (1-1) 0 1 0 – 1
Goals: CBA: Guinessi, Leyra, Chukha, Montelina, Besiadecki, Tigesson. PDS: Nissangaratchie.
Assists: CBA: Fiore 2, Besiedecki 2, Guinness, Leira, Mantellino. PDS: Jackson.
Shots: CBA: 42, PDS 24. Saves: CBA: Shell 23, PDS Fenton 36.
