Christian Brothers Academy and Shaker/Colonie entered Saturday’s Capital District High School Hockey League game searching for their first league win of the season.
Sean Glennon made certain CBA would be the one to come out on top.
Glennon scored twice in the third period to lead the Brothers (1-3 league, 3-4 overall) to a 2-1 victory over the Jets (0-3, 3-5) at the Albany County Hockey Facility.
`We knew it was an important game for both teams,` said CBA coach Blaine Drescher.
Goals have been hard to come by for the Brothers this season. With the exception of a 12-0 non-league victory over St. Michael Dec. 21, they had scored two or fewer goals in all of their contests entering Saturday’s showdown with Shaker/Colonie. And, they were coming off a 2-0 loss to league rival LaSalle one night earlier at the Albany County rink.
`I found out a lot about my team … because I didn’t know how we’d respond in back-to-back games,` said Drescher.
Shaker/Colonie’s offense had been playing well coming into Saturday’s contest, and things looked good for the Jets when Kevin Egan scored a power play goal with less than two minutes left in the opening period to put them ahead 1-0.
That was the only goal CBA netminder Kyle Stoickman allowed. The senior stopped every shot in the second and third periods to finish with 22 saves.
`Kyle Stockman kind of flies under the radar, but he keeps us in games,` said Drescher.
`I think CBA’s goalie played a great game and frustrated us, and we couldn’t get past that frustration,` said Shaker/Colonie coach Steve Hudak.
Shaker/Colonie’s defense kept CBA away from goaltender Zach Dignum for most of the night, but Glennon came through when the opportunities presented themselves in the third period. Solid passing led by Nicholas Makarowsky set up Glennon for the tying and go-ahead goals.
`Glennon has really been … the guy. When we’ve needed goals, he’s the one who’s put it in the back of the net,` said Drescher.
`I think he (Dignum) played a strong game and our defense played a strong game, but we weren’t clicking on offense,` said Hudak.
CBA will try to build upon its first league win when it faces Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa Tuesday at RPI’s Houston Field House. The Brothers then travel to Watertown for a weekend tournament beginning Friday.
Shaker/Colonie gets its next chance to record its first league win of the season when it meets Queensbury Wednesday.
`I think what we’re doing (in league games) is we’re hesitating, and we’re not playing with confidence,` said Hudak.