by Parma, OH- After almost 23 months away from Michael A Ries Ice Rink, Holy Name made their triumphant return home as they beat Toledo Whitmer 9-2 to close out the preseason.
To begin the first period of play, freshman Shane Triscari found the back of the net from just inside the final third. The assist came from sophomore Dom Alfano. Whitmer then began to press the Green Wave which resulted in many off-target shots. However, the Panther defense let up as Triscari found the back of the net following a precision pass from freshman Reid Faehner to extend the Green Wave lead 2-0. Two minutes later, Triscari completed the first period hat-trick as sophomore Tommy Cardenas provided the assist. With a few more shots and a last-minute faceoff in the attacking third of Whitmer resulting in a miss, the first period ended as HN won 3-0.
The second period began in style for the Panthers as Hudson Baehr smoked the puck into the back of the net to give Whitmer the lead 1-0. This lead wouldn’t last long as sophomore Phoenix Heygi picked up where he left off from lacrosse season as he tied the period up at 1 all. Soon after, Faehner recorded his second goal contribution as he found the back of the net following a solo run down the center of the ice. Then, Triscari added to his impressive evening as he scored his fourth to give HN a 3-1 lead. Less than a minute later, freshman Joey Wieland found the back of the net to give the Green Wave a 4-1 lead that they never looked back on in the second period.
The final period started quickly as Cardenas found the back of the net 54 seconds in. The Panthers battled as Angelo Sifuentes skated around the net to slot the puck in, squaring things up at 1-1. Holy Name matched this goal by scoring their second goal of the period, this time on a solo run from sophomore Braxton Bartone. This was his second goal contribution of the night. Following those 3 goals in 3 minutes, each defense went strength for strength as the Green Wave sealed the deal 2-1 to close the period and game out.
Overall, the “Return to Ries” was a success for the Green Wave. A 2-0 record to show for their preseason, winning by a combined 18-5. The schedule only gets tougher for Holy Name as they welcome state runner-up University School to Ries next Saturday at 7 PM. This may be a young team that fields 7 freshmen, 4 sophomores, and 1 senior, but they embody the fighting spirit that the Green Wave has trademarked.
Team Stat Breakdown:
Period 1:
HN: 3 Goals, 11 shots, 6 Saves
TW: 0 Goals, 6 Shots, 8 Saves
Period 2:
HN: 4 Goals, 17 Shots, 7 Saves
TW: 1 Goal, 8 Shots, 13 Saves
Period 3:
HN: 2 Goals, 12 Shots, 6 Saves
TW: 1 Goal, 7 Shots, 10 Saves
Toledo Whitmer Key Players
#1 Vincent Riley: 31 Saves, 77.5% Save Percentage
#8 Angelo Sifuentes: 1 Goal
#12 Hudson Baehr: 1 Goal
Holy Name Key Players
#11 Tommy Cardenas: 1 Goal, 1 Assist
#13 Shane Triscari: 4 Goals, 1 Assist
#78 Emily Sefchik: 19 Saves, 90.5% Save Percentage
Player of the Game: Shane Triscari
