Bounces don't go Sweet Home's way against St. Joe's
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

St. Joe's handed Sweet Home its first Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation loss of the 2006-07 season, 4-2, last Thursday on the Amherst Pepsi Center Feature Rink, but Panthers coach Dave Gerspach can't complain about his team's effort.

Sweet Home is 11-1-3 in league play, 14-2-4 overall.

"I was real happy with the way we played," said Gerspach. "We lost on the scoreboard but from a fan's point of view, it was a real enjoyable game to watch. There was a lot of end to end action and not a lot of penalties. The referees let the players decide on the ice."

Down 2-0, Sweet Home took over momentum in the second period, tying it at 2-2 from two James Cardinale power-play goals. Anthony Manzella, Dominic Puntillo, Andrew Montanez and Paul Campise each had an assist.

The Marauders snatched back the lead and momentum 31 seconds into the third when Robert Schreck scored from Cole Schneider and Jeff Amico. Lucas Marchiori's shot bounced off a leg and past Panthers netminder Derek Mohney for St. Joe's fourth goal.

"It was a pretty even game," said Gerspach. "They had momentum in the first. In the second period, we took it to them and it didn't show up on the scoreboard. Alex (Esposito) hit a post on a breakaway and Manzella also hit a post."

Ron Femia scored two power-play goals in the first period. His first came from Kris Raepple and Schneider, his second was on the power play from Amico and Schneider.

Shots on goal were close too as St. Joe's had 27 to Sweet Home's 25.

It was the first game Sweet Home had played without its top player, Ryan Marko, who is injured.

"We've been trying to fill Ryan's role but not filling his spot," said Gerspach. "The kids held their heads up high after the game. They gave us everything they had. There was nothing else we could of asked for."

Sweet Home's other game last week was a 2-2 tie with Frontier on Saturday at Hamburg.

The Panthers could never get into a rhythm because they were always in the penalty box. Sweet Home was called for 16 penalties, eight in the second period.

"Besides the first five minutes, there was only one time for two minutes where we played five on five for the rest of the game," said Gerspach.

Josh Baker scored Frontier's only power-play goal in the second from Andrew Wright. Mohney made 24 saves in the second, 41 overall. Sweet Home had 31 shots on goal.

"Derek's been outstanding in the last month," said Gerspach. "He's been making big save after big save whether it's rebounds or one-timers."

Sweet Home had eight power plays the entire game and Cardinale scored on two of the team's four power play opportunities in the second. Paul Campise (two) and Mike Campise assisted.

Mark Jacobi tied it at 2-2 short-handed with 3:32 left in the third.

After a game with Kenmore West at 9 p.m. Thursday on the Olympic Rink, Sweet Home, ranked second in New York State Division II, hits the road for games with Section III teams Baldwinsville at 5 p.m. on Friday and Liverpool at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com