FRIARS ROAR BACK

Official Box Score

In their first meeting since the first round of the 2022-2023 SCHSHL playoffs, the St. Anthony’s Friars faced off against the Northport Huntington Tigers in a thrilling Sunday Night Showdown. Last season’s matchup began with a St. Anthony’s goal scored by Nicolas D’Andrea and assisted by Brady Monteleone. Those two would lead the Friars to an 8-4 win en route to a second consecutive SCHSHL Title. Last night marked the first time in two years that neither player was in the lineup for St. Anthony’s. 

The Tigers came out flying, quickly gaining possession and going to work on the cycle. A shot from the point by Tigers Blue Liner Austin Ruthkowski was deflected through traffic before finding its way into the net front area. Liam Truckio, who spent last year with St. Anthony’s JV Black, would collect the puck and put Northport Huntington up 1-0 on the season. 

It was Liam Truckio’s first goal at the SCHSHL Varsity level, which was scored just one minute and twenty seconds into the game. Broderick Prendergast, who also spent last season with St. Anthony’s JV Black, would be credited with the primary assist on the goal. The Tigers lead would only last one minute and nine seconds.

The Tigers carried that momentum into the following face off, but they were unable to create a controlled zone entry due to an unrelenting St. Anthony’s backcheck. Forcing the Tigers out into the neutral zone, former St. Anthony’s JV Gold Captain James Schendorf forced a turnover at the Northport Huntington defensive zone blue line. The Friars sustained pressure led to a flurry of shots which were turned aside by Northport Huntington netminder Connor King. 

A two minute minor and ten minute misconduct would then be assessed to Louis Cutalo of the Friars. Thomas Ulmschneider, the lone returning netminder from last year’s championship roster, made several key saves on the penalty kill. 

On the following draw, a clearing attempt by the Tigers was broken along the right side dot. Devin Curry pounced on the loose puck, walked in and beat King with a quick wrist shot. That would tie the game at one, and give Curry his first career SCHSHL Varsity goal in his fifth game of the season. Curry was last year’s leading goal scorer for St. Anthony’s JV Black. 

Lightning would strike twice for Curry at the 7:19 mark of the 1st period. A blocked shot by the Friars led to a transition opportunity for St. Anthony’s. The Friars couldn’t capitalize, but Schendorf collected a pass from Michael Caitzone behind the net. He then found Curry in front, who buried it for his second goal. The Friars would not relinquish the lead from that point on. 

At the start of the second, the Friars found themselves back on the Penalty Kill. After a glove save by Thomas Ulmschneider forced a defensive zone face off, Louis Cutalo IV won the draw and went coast to coast for a shorthanded breakaway goal. That made it 3-1 St. Anthony’s and the Friars killed off the remainder of the penalty. 

Broderick Prendergast would then be sent to the box for boarding. The former St. Anthony’s JV Black player would be assessed a two and ten. Connor King and Co killed off the minor penalty, with the Tigers getting a breakaway opportunity after the penalty expired. That shot was turned aside thanks to the heroics of Ulmschneider. 

With St. Anthony’s surging, the Tigers leaned on goaltender Connor King to keep the game tight. The Tigers would keep it within two until a goal late in the second by James Schendorf with assists being awarded to Cormac Terry and Brody O’Doherty. 

By the start of 3rd period action, the Friars led 4-1. Louis Cutalo IV would score his second goal of the night just past three minutes into the game. With the 5-1 lead entering the games final phase, a late penalty by the Tigers gave the Friars a power play. With just under thirty seconds remaining, Devin Curry would get his first SCHSHL Varsity Hat Trick. James Schendorf and Brody O’Doherty were credited with assists. 

Stars of the Game

The Third Star of the Game goes to James Schendorf, who had a goal and two assists on the night. Second Star of the Game goes to Louis Cutalo IV, who scored two unassisted goals with one coming on the Penalty Kill. The First Star of the game is awarded to Devin Curry, who notched his first SCHSHL Varsity Hatrick with his first goal being unassisted.  

Looking Forward 

The Friars have had a tough schedule to open the season, and it doesn’t get any easier with an upcoming matchup against 1st place Sachem on Wednesday, October 25th at 7:50 PM.  If Zackary Sirel and Brady Monteleone are back in the lineup, Friars fans will have even more to look forward to. Following Wednesday’s game, the Friars will take on West Islip at 9:40 PM on October 30th as well as the Longwood Lions on Monday November 6th at 8:10 PM. 

While Northport Huntington Tigers were certainly hoping for a win, the team played solid down the stretch. The Tigers will be right back at the Rinx for a matchup against the Ward Melville Patriots on Monday, October 23rd at 9:40 PM.  The Tigers will then square off against the Kings Park Commack Knights on Wednesday, November 1st at 7:50 PM. Northport Huntington will then take on East Islip at 7:50 on Wednesday, November 8th.