Matthew Vetrone’s two goals helped the Shaker/Colonie hockey team edge Bethlehem 2-1 Saturday at the Albany County Hockey Facility.
Vetrone scored power play goals exactly one minute apart in the third period to help the Jets (3-3-1 league, 8-6-1 overall) even their Capital District High School Hockey League record.
He has deceptive speed, and he’s probably one of the faster guys in the league when he gets going, said first-year Shaker/Colonie coach Steve Hudak. `He’s going to develop into a really good hockey player, and as a sophomore, we’re looking for a lot out of him during his last two years.`
Bethlehem (3-9, 6-11) took a 1-0 lead early in the second period when senior Adam Lipnick turned in an outstanding individual effort on a shorthanded goal. Lipnick picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, faked out tow defenders and beat Shaker/Colonie goaltender P.J. Nicsevic with a low wrist shot.
`Adam Lipnick went far above and beyond to score that goal,` said Bethlehem coach Richard Hughes. `He’s an outstanding player, and that was a great individual effort.`
Vetrone tied the game several seconds after Bethlehem’s Stephen Russo was sent to the penalty box for tripping to give the Jets a 5-on-3 power play. Vetrone tipped in a long shot from freshman Nick Kyratzis following the face-off to tie the game at 1.
With Russo still in the penalty box a minute later, Vetrone collected a rebound off Michael Skroupa’s shot and knocked the puck past T.J. Caswell to give Shaker/Colonie the lead for good.
`We were a little flat in the first two periods,` said Hudak. `I made some adjustments in the third period and changed up the lines. The guys were down on themselves after the second period and we said, ‘You know what, let’s take a positive approach at this and take it one shift at a time.’`
`I thought our team played really well in the first and second periods. But we took way too many penalties in the third period, and that’s what made the difference in this game,` Hughes said.
Nicsevic, who finished with 12 saves, held off a late charge by Bethlehem with some nice saves as they tried to get the equalizer. Caswell was spectacular in net for the Eagles as he finished with 26 saves while killing off eight penalties.
`We really preach teamwork, and that’s really an important foundation of the program. That teamwork was seen tonight, especially on our penalty kill,` Hughes said. `Our win and loss record might not be the best, but as a team, they work hard every game, and that’s important.“
