Tuesday, January 13, 2015 by Aidan Joly Photos by Eli Fisher
Despite a very offensive-minded game, Saratoga was only able to pull off a tie with Pelham.
The Blue Streaks hockey team tied with the Pelham Pelicans on Sunday afternoon at the Weibel Ave ice rink by a score of 2-2.
The Streaks struck first on a goal from captain Elliott Hungerford a little less than eight minutes in, and gave Saratoga the eventual lead at the end of one period. This would be the first of Hungerford’s two goals during the afternoon.
“The kids didn’t give up, and that’s what we want,” Streaks head coach Dave Torres said of his team after the game.
Pelham came out in the second and played hard, on a goal from Hogan Peters three minutes in and another from Gibson Smith with just 2.1 seconds left in the second period.
“I’m thinking my defenseman wants it back, two feet from the blue line, with less than ten seconds left in the period,” Torres said of the last goal.
This would end up being the final goal of the game, as there were no goals in the third period and the five-minute overtime.
Pelham coach Ed Witz said of his goalie, A.J. Gugliara, “With coaching, you’re always looking for something to improve on.” Gugliara saved 30 of 32 Saratoga shots during the game.
“Any other goalie, we would have scored five or six, we had some great opportunities, but they didn’t go in the net tonight,” Torres said of Gugliara.
Penalties were a very big part of the game.
“They’re all unnecessary penalties. It’s undisciplined.” Torres said.
Witz said of his Pelicans, “We’re a really young team.”
After Tom Fornabia recorded his first career shutout in the previous game, he dressed but did not play. Danny Hobbs was the goalie for the Blue Streaks.
Captain Elliott Hungerford was injured on a hit during the overtime and did not return. According to Torres and fellow captain JT Rafferty, it was a minor shoulder separation and may cause Hungerford to miss a game or two.
With the tie, the Streaks are now 8-2-2 on the year, and will be back in action on Wednesday at home taking on Niskayuna.
The game was played in memory of former Saratoga P.E. coach Brenda Adams, who passed away on Saturday.
FINAL STATS
Saratoga:
Elliott Hungerford, 2 goals
Josh Dagle, 1 assist
Pelham
Hogan Peters, 1 goal
Gibson Smith, 1 goal
Ben Hurd, 1 assist
Goalies
Saratoga (Danny Hobbs): saved 30/32, .938 saved
Pelham: AJ Gugliara, saved 11/13 .846 saved
