“We don’t quit. We keep on working hard and I’m proud of them” is what Fenwick boys hockey head coach Jim Quinlan said after his team’s 5-2 loss against Newburyport (1-2) on Friday at O’Keefe Rink.
Down 3-0 in the first and 4-1 in the second, the Crusaders (0-5) responded with goals each time. But in the end, Newburyport’s size and skating ability was too much for Fenwick, and its empty-netter in the final two minutes put things out of reach.
“We’re just inexperienced, we’re learning,” Quinlan said. “We were right there. We had a terrible first period, maybe because we’ve played three games in four days.”
Newburyport scored twice in 34 seconds to jump ahead 2-0 in the opening minutes of the first. The Clippers played dump-and-chase hockey, while Fenwick relied on its individual play at times. Another snipe from Newburyport put Fenwick in a 3-0 hole after one.
To start the second, it was all Black and Yellow. The Crusaders were more energized and attacked the puck. Quinlan’s response when asked what his message was between periods: “start playing our game.”
“We came out sluggish and not skating, and not getting the puck in the zone,” Quinlan said. “We’re a forechecking team. It’s the only way we’re going to get some goals.”
On the power play with 6:47 remaining in the second, Fenwick’s junior defenseman Anthony Sasso fired the puck and senior captain Chris Stevens deflected it in to cut Newburyport’s lead to 3-1. Just like that, the crowd came alive and the Crusaders embraced in celebration.
“I think we’re nervous, and scared a little bit, and I think once they think that they can play with someone, they start playing,” Quinlan said. “In the second period, we just kept on working. We never gave up.”
Down 4-1 in the third after another Newburyport goal in the second, Fenwick responded again. Stevens crashed the net and scored on a rebound to make things 4-2.
“We’re not going to quit,” Quinlan said.
Moments later, Fenwick’s first-line center Gerry Visconti impressed with a timely stick check to prevent a potential Newburyport goal on a one-timer. Goalie Josh Millman made a point-black save later in the period to keep the lead at two, but Newburyport’s empty-netter sealed it.
The final score favored the Clippers 5-2. An 0-5 record isn’t where Fenwick wanted to be heading into the New Year, but the season hasn’t come without positives. The Crusaders have led 2-0 in three of their five games.
On Friday, four of Fenwick’s six defensemen (three from Saugus) were underclassmen. Quinlan said he’s excited about the group moving forward.
“They’re just learning how to play together as a group,” Quinlan said. “We’re going to be pretty good defensively next year.”
Fenwick travels to take on Chelmsford on January 4 with puck-drop set for 7 p.m. After Wednesday’s game, Quinlan said he’s excited about Catholic Central matchups, starting with Archbishop Williams.
“We’ve got our conference games coming up, so hopefully we can give our conference teams a run for their money,” Quinlan said.
