The Shaker/Colonie hockey team opened the 2007-08 season with a 5-3 loss to Kenmore East of Buffalo last Friday afternoon at the Albany County Hockey Facility.
The young Jets (0-2) dug themselves an early 3-0 hole but bounced back in the third period with an inspiring three-goal effort.
I wasn’t too happy after the first period, but the way we kept battling I think showed the character of our team. I hope we play like we did in that third period for the rest of the year, and if we do I think we’ll be successful, said second year head coach Steve Hudak.
The bigger and more physical Bulldogs opened up the scoring with three goals in a 3:09 time span late in the first period to take a commanding 3-0 lead. The Jets held Kenmore East scoreless for the game’s first 11:28. The Bulldogs (2-0) added a goal in the second period to take a 4-0 lead.
`I don’t think our guys are used to that pace. That type of team is really a step above who we’re used to playing,` Hudak said. `This is one of the best teams we’ll see.`
The Jets came out in the third and controlled play while generating eight shots on Kenmore East goalie Kevin Jakes after only 11 shots through two periods. S/C got on the board 42 seconds into the third period on a goal by senior Mike McCloskey. The goal came when defenseman Bob Motto’s wrist shot went wide left off the backboards and around the other side of the goal, where McCloskey was waiting to deposit it past a diving Jakes.
The Jets struck again off the center ice face-off just 13 seconds later when freshman Chris Cusack corralled a loose puck and put a shot around a sprawling Jakes after a scramble in front of the net.
S/C failed to convert on two consecutive power plays, and Kenmore East took advantage on a goal by Brett Rodgers to make the score 5-2. McCloskey scored again on a nice individual effort with 5.6 seconds left to make it 5-3.
The Jets, who lost to Kenmore West 3-1 on Saturday, start their Capital District High School Hockey League season Friday at home against Guilderland.
`I think we’ll be right in the middle (of the CDHSHL). Hopefully by the end of the year, we will progress a little more. Our nine sophomores will be good for our future,` Hudak said.“
