Massena Hockey Roundup

The Massena Red Raiders boys hockey squad is showing a lot of potential to defend their 2013-14 state championship, going undefeated so far in 2014-15 in Northern Athletic Conference play. They hold a 6-0 record against NAC teams and recently left the ice besting local rivals including Ogdensburg, Malone and St. Lawrence.

Massena 5, OFA 0

On Saturday, Jan. 3, they secured a 5-0 victory against the host Ogdensburg Free Academy Blue Devils.

Bailey Hewitt opened the scoreboard for Massena in the first period, scoring the first of a trio of Massena powerplay goals. Wyatt Wilmhurst assisted. He ended the contest with two goals and two assists.

Patrick Manning and Wilmhurst scored during the middle frame, with Ben Sprague and Ryan Moffitt connecting in the closing stanza. Logan Brothers worked the Massena crease for nine saves.

The Jan. 3 contest was the Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser. Ticket sales garnered $598 for the St. Lawrence County Cancer Society. The OFA cheer team pitched in $41.

In their last game of 2014, the Raiders sent the host Franklin Academy Huskies back home with a 4-1 loss.

Massena 4, F.A. 1

Wilmhurst put the Raiders on the board 1:05 into regulation with an assist from Manning.

Evan Kassian scored the eventual game-winner seven seconds into period two after taking a pass from Zach Koszan. Eric Miller with an assist from Pat LaGrow and Dalton Mullin with helpers from Moffit and Bobby Todd comprised the other two Massena markers.

Kyler Head knocked in Malone’s goal with just over two minutes left on the clock.

Jeffrey Bain denied 18 Huskie scoring attempts.

Massena 6, St. Lawrence 5 (OT)

The Raiders narrowly walked off the ice at Tri-Town Community Center with a win over the St. Lawrence Central Larries on Dec. 26. They managed a 6-5 overtime victory.

Hewlett connected to put the Raiders out to a 1-0 1:43 into the game, followed by a Manning goal around 8:17. Near the end of the first period, Larrie Nate Stickney took a pass from Kyle Kocsis to put the blue-clad contingent on the board.

After 2:12 in the second period, Moffit responded by taking advantage of a power play, putting Massena back ahead by two.

Again on a power play, St. Lawrence’s Luke Peets connected to bring the scoreboard to 3-2. Kocsis tied the game on yet another two-man advantage minutes later. Drew Rose carried the team to a one-goal lead at 10:13, assisted by Kocsis.

Massena’s Wilmhurst, with 12 seconds left before the second period buzzer, fired into the Larries’ net to bring the team back to 4-all.

After nine minutes of third-period stalemate, Rose put St. Lawrence back in the lead. Massena Coach Mike Trimboli responded with just under two minutes to go by swapping the goalie for an extra skater, and it worked. Wilmhurst connected for Massena’s fifth marker, forcing sudden death.

Massena’s Hewlitt fired in the game-winner.

Massena 8, Thousand Islands 2

The Raiders overcame a 2-2 tie to blast by Thousand Islands High School on Dec. 17 at Massena Arena.

T.I.’s Brody Gill struck for the opening goal, assisted by Kyle Guinet and Riley Youngs 2:15 into the opening frame.

Massena’s Wilmshurst evened the scoreboard about six minutes later on a play set up by Sprague and Dylan Stone. Sprague put Massena up by one at 13:11 after taking a pass from Wilmshurst and Stone. Gill returned the game to a tie with 14 seconds to go in the first period assisted by Ryan Charlebois.

Stone kicked off a second-period assault assisted by Wilmshurst and Sprague 3:27 into period two. Four of his teammates followed suit, including Sprague, Kassian, Mullin and Devin Page. Stone capped off the Massena scoreboard in the third period.

Brothers blocked 10 shots for Massena.

Girls Hockey

The Massena Lady Raiders hockey squad claimed two of three recent match-ups against Northern Athletic Conference rivals.

Two straight against St. Lawrence

At their first 2015 contest and last of 2014, the Lady Raiders took back-to-back decisions over the St. Lawrence Central Lady Larries

At the Malone Civic Center on Friday, Jan. 2, the Raiders returned to Massena with a 4-1 win.

Bailey Dillabough sparked the Raider offense in the first period, assisted by Amber Thomas. The middle stanza saw Abbie Paquin record the eventual game-winner on a play set up by Molly O’Connell.

O’Connell came through with a goal of her own to start the third period assisted by Bailey Thomas. The final Raider goal came from Amber Thomas, unassisted.

Madee Derouchie notched the lone Larrie marker, with assists coming from Kerrigan Rondeau and Olivia Hunter.

Massena’s Kyrsten Stone made 17 saves.

The Lady Raiders, who closed 2014 on Tuesday, Dec. 30 by blasting the Larries 8-1 at the Massena Arena. Massena was supposed to play a non-league game against Oswego but it was called off due to inclement weather.

Massena goals came from Raechel Davis, O’Connell, Mia Jermano, Dillabough, Lexi Lazore, Iakohehiio Cook and Abby Paduano.

Stone recorded 16 saves.

Potsdam 2, Massena 1

The Potsdam Sandstoners skated passed the host Lady Raiders 2-1 on Monday, Dec. 22.

Dillabough put Massena out to an early 1-0 lead at 4:06. Davis assisted. But the Stoners came back in the third period with unanswered goals from Kalie Grant and Paige McCabe.

Stone kept 26 Potsdam scoring attempts at bay.

Shutout against Beekmantown

The Lady Raiders sent the visiting Beekmantown Eagles back home with a shutout defeat on Dec. 17.

Players tallying goals included Dillabough, Paquin, Davis and KC Herne.

Stone blocked 36 shots.