The Salesianum School Sallies ended the Steve Malley High School Showcase with an even 2-2 record, good for third place in the field of five. The showcase, hosted by the DeMatha Catholic High School Stags, took place at The Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Md.
Game 1 – DeMatha Catholic 7, Salesianum 3
In their first tournament game, Salesianum found themselves down 3-0 early and struggled to mount a rally despite their best efforts, ultimately suffering defeat to the host DeMatha Catholic Stags, 7-3.
While Ryan Kelly, Ryan Bryson, and Joey DeFilippis all found the twine for the Sallies, they were largely overpowered and outshot from beginning to end. Erick Reiniger led the charge for the Stags with a pair of goals, while Nick Trindade, Skyler Trippett, Carson Okamoto, Ryan Olson, and Lincoln Norton also accounted for one each. DeMatha goalie Lincoln Crosby saved 18 of 21 shots faced in a solid outing, while Sallies netminder Owen Schlegel–standing in for usual tender Graham Burke–managed 30 saves in defeat.
Game 2 – Salesianum 4, Cheverus 3
Salesianum bounced back in their Wednesday evening game, taking an early 2-0 lead through the first period before giving up a pair of goals to the Cheverus Stags’ Jackson Wilson early in the second, but ultimately rebounding to a 4-3 two-period lead before holding their foes scoreless in the final frame.
Cam Bergeman and Joey DeFilippis accounted for the first-period goals for the Sallies, but the Stags’ Wilson notched a pair in the first five minutes of the second period to tie the score. Not but a minute and four seconds later, defenceman Dylan Johnson claimed the lead again for Salesianum off a Liam Magargal assist at the 5:55 mark, followed up by DeFilippis’s second of the game from Fisher Sellers at 6:32. While Colby Anton was able to cut the Sallies’ lead to 4-3 midway through the second period, the Stags would be held scoreless for the final 22-1/2 minutes.
Schlegel rebounded well from defeat, stopping 22 of 25 shots faced in victory. Cheverus netminder Colby Benway saved 24 of 28 shots faced.
Game 3 – Salesianum 4, Calvert Hall 2
A Ryan Bryson hat trick propelled the Sallies to a 4-2 win over the Calvert Hall Cardinals in their first game on Thursday (Dec. 28).
After netminders JP Thomas and Owen Schlegel held their respective foes scoreless through the first period, Mitchell Bozhko drew first blood for the Cardinals at 1:49 in the second period, only for the Sallies to rebound 40 seconds later with the first of three consecutive tallies. Bryson, a first-line stalwart evened the score off assists from Ryan Kelly and Joey DeFilippis; DeFilippis notched his fourth tournament goal at 6:35, and Bryson accounted for his second goal in the last minute of the frame to send Salesianum to the dressing room with a 3-1 advantage.
Bozhko and Bryson exchanged goals in the first four minutes of the third period, with DeFilippis providing a second assist on Bryson’s third of the game.
The Sallies’ power play was held scoreless despite five opportunities to convert–two of them 5-on-3 situations for a full two minutes. Schlegel stopped 28 of 29 shots in victory, while Calvert Hall’s Thomas allowed four goals on 18 shots faced.
Game 4 – DMV Prospects 6, Salesianum 0
Following back-to-back wins in the middle of the showcase, Salesianum dropped their final game to the DMV Prospects team, 6-0.
After keeping the Prospects scoreless through the first 23-1/2 minutes, the floodgates opened midway through the second period. Nathan Young led the Prospects in production, with two goals and a pair of assists. Will Magrath and Max Romeo each added a goal and an assist, as well.
The Prospects accounted for two power-play goals–both in the third period–from four such opportunities. Owen Schlegel stopped 31 of 37 shots, while the tough Prospects team only allowed 12 shots, evenly handled by goalies Matt Morrison and Zach Richards.
For full tournament information, visit this link.
