December 19, 2013 Story and photos by Eli Fisher
The last time Saratoga’s hockey team played Shenendehowa, it was a 4-0 win for the Streaks in the Section II final on their way to what would end up as their first state championship in 14 years. The rival teams faced off for the first time this season on Wednesday at the Clifton Park Ice Arena, ending the game tied 3-3 after a scoreless five-minute overtime.
After a 2-1 second period lead, it was clear that Saratoga fell behind defensively in the third period, when they let in two of Shen’s goals and seemed tired in play.
“We weren’t really letting them get it done, and we let them come back in the third period,” said Saratoga forward Elliott Hungerford ’16. Both teams were helped by power plays, with the Blue Streaks receiving 14 penalty minutes and the Plainsmen 23, though Shen’s figure was inflated by forward Nick Quigley ’14, who received a 4-minute penalty for hitting from behind and was ejected from the game, for a 14-minute total. Hungerford scored the tying goal assisted by Jake Fauler ’17 during the 4-minute power play with only a minute and a half left in the third period.
“This is the first time they have scored on us in a year and a half, for them it’s a win for them,” Saratoga coach Dave Torres said. One of Saratoga’s second period goals was scored by Jack Rittenhouse after his failed penalty shot. Goalie Danny Hobbs ’16 has also stepped up to the top position, and save 87% of shots in a game where Shen had only one more shot (23) than Saratoga (22).
Saratoga’s goals, in order, were scored by JT Rafferty, Jack Rittenhouse, and Elliott Hungerford, with a slew of assists. Rafferty’s and Hungerford’s goals were on power play. Shen also scored two of their goals on power play. The Streaks now have a 3-1-1 record and the Plainsmen are 2-2-1.
Saratoga hockey finishes off the week with a game against Shaker/Colonie Friday at 6:45 p.m. and a Saturday afternoon game against out-of-league Rome. The Streaks will play a regular season home game against the Plainsmen on February 5.
Box score
Saratogian story
