SPORTS

Late surge propels Falcons to win

Posted 1/4/22

By ALEX SPONSELLER The Cranston boys hockey co-op returned from the holiday break with a big 6-2 road win over St. Ray's/Wheeler/PCD last week in Pawtucket. After giving up a two-point lead in the second period, Cranston would roll in the third to pick

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SPORTS

Late surge propels Falcons to win

Posted

By ALEX SPONSELLER The Cranston boys hockey co-op returned from the holiday break with a big 6-2 road win over St. Ray’s/Wheeler/PCD last week in Pawtucket.

After giving up a two-point lead in the second period, Cranston would roll in the third to pick up four unanswered goals and skate away with the win.

Senior Jaydin Rossi led the way for Cranston with a hat trick and an assist, while Justin Drohen added a pair of goals as well. Senior Joe Rapoza also chipped in a power-play goal in the win. Jack Theroux added a pair of assists while Jason Levy and Mark Cicerone added one apiece.

Cranston goalie Brayden Nebus finished with 24 stops in net.

Cranston took an early 2-0 lead in the first period on two shorthanded goals from Rossi, however, would allow two goals in the second to send the game into the final frame knotted at 2-2.

Rossi and company emptied the tank in the final 15 minutes to get the win.

“We were just going hard into the third period, we were coming off of a loss in the holiday tournament so we knew going into a league game, we had to come out with a win. We believed in ourselves today, in the tournament you couldn’t really see that. We were dying to win today,” said Rossi.

The team had a rough go in the holiday tournament the week before, playing Division I teams in a crammed schedule. Cranston coach Matt Brannon was relieved to see his team rebound with an important league win.

“It was a great response after coming off the Christmas tournament. We were playing Division I teams, we really challenged them and we were a little nervous coming into tonight having played four games in four nights. We were a little fatigued in the first and second periods but we challenged them to raise their play in the third and the senior leadership took over. Overall, a great effort after a long week,” said Brannon.

The team’s special teams unit also had a solid day, earning the power-play goal and multiple shorthanded points. Although the team produced, Brannon still sees room for improvement.

“It’s a credit to our kids. We are shorthanded and we had to put our experienced guys out there that know the plays. Our power-play unit is a work in progress, it’s nice to be getting those opportunities but we need to take advantage of those.”

Brannon is also hoping to see the team get back to the basics, starting with a normal practice and game schedule which it has lacked since the winter season started.

“The inconsistency of not being able to play every weekend, kids having days off, morning games, we’re just trying to get some consistency and get back to our foundation. Hopefully we can start getting healthy and roll into 2022 on the right note,” said Brannon.

Cranston improved to 2-1 in league play and took on Rogers on Wednesday evening. The results were not available at press time.

Falcon, hockey, sports

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