Short-Handed Stoughton High Hockey Team Falls to Oliver Ames

It’s been tough times for the Stoughton High boys’ hockey team over the last two weeks. Entering their second consecutive matchup against Hockomock League rival Oliver Ames Monday night, the Black Knights were coming off a at King Philip, a at Foxborough, which was the Warriors’ first victory after 29 consecutive defeats, and most recently, a to OA.

The losing streak continued Monday night with Stoughton losing 5-0 against Oliver Ames as the Black Knights struggle through a number of key injuries.

Stoughton now drops to 3-9-1 overall—their fourth straight defeat, being outscored 30-4 during that span. The Black Knights’ Hockomock League record falls to 2-6-1, and they can’t lose another game, with seven remaining, if they are to qualify for a postseason berth.

The contest was played at the Asiaf Rink in Brockton where both teams share home ice, but for this tilt, the Tigers were the home team.

Stoughton was still without the services of defensemen, junior Josh Potter and sophomore Chris Gill, along with senior forwards Ricky Connaughton and Steve Leoffler, all out with injuries. Also missing from the lineup was leading scorer sophomore Phil Falkof, who was serving his second game of a two-game suspension for a penalty for hitting-from-behind.

Even with a call-up from the J.V. team, Stoughton was only able to dress eight forwards and four defensemen.

Stoughton senior captain and defenseman Jordan Ricci, who logged an incredible amount of ice time, played a very solid defensive game in the loss.

“Unlike our previous three games, we had a great effort in this game and the whole team played very hard, but we seemed to run out of gas toward the end of the second period,” said Stoughton coach Dan Mark. “We will keep trying to get better and hopefully get some of our players back and hope to end the season with a strong finish.”

The depleted Black Knights could never get their offense on track, with only 12 shots on net throughout the contest.

Oliver Ames scored two goals in the first period, the last one with only 55 seconds remaining. OA got one more in the middle period with just 40 seconds left, and two more in the final period.

With the victory, Oliver Ames improves to 6-6-3 overall which is the .500 mark needed to qualify for a post-season berth. OA also evened its Hockomock League record at 4-4-2.

“We played very well defensively and we were able to move the puck out of our zone quickly,” said Oliver Ames coach Dan Scott. “We also had a great game with our fore checking and made it tough for Stoughton to get the puck out of their zone. Then our depth got the best of them.”

Three Oliver Ames’ players, all sophomores, scored their first varsity goals: Andrew Romans, Mark Auditore (two goals) and Corey McLaughlin. Chris Naeger, a senior, had the other goal for the Tigers, while senior A.J. Madden had two assists and sophomore Sean Kyne had three assists.  

Mackenzie Shalin, a senior goaltender, got his second consecutive shutout for Oliver Ames, after a 0-0 tie in his previous game against Spencerport, NY, this past Friday.

Stoughton next plays Wednesday night at 8 p.m. at Bridgewater Ice Arena, their second meeting against non-league opponent Middleboro. The Black Knights in the season-opener. Oliver Ames will next play on Wednesday night against Foxborough in its last Hockomock League game of the season. The contest will be at the Asiaf Rink.

Scoring

First Period:

OA, Andrew Romans (Ryan McGrath) 11:22.

OA, Corey McLaughlin (AJ Madden, Sean Kyne) 14:05.

Second Period:

OA, Chris Naeger ( AJ Madden, Alex Weibeler) 14:20.

Third Period:

OA, Mark Auditore (Sean Kyne, Thomas McNeeley) 3:56.

OA, Mark Auditore (Sean Kyne) 6:23.