Cheshire Ice Hockey Tightens Up Defensively During Shutouts

January 20, 2010 by Greg Lederer

High expectations were put on the Cheshire High School ice hockey team this winter. The Rams ended last season as Division II champions and then returned key contributors at the core of that team. However, chemistry can change from year to year and the coaches stressed it would take time to find their own way.
After enduring a tough start, the Rams are beginning to hit their stride. Cheshire won just one of their first four games, including one-goal losses to Xavier (3-2) and Watertown-Pomperaug (4-3) at Wesleyan University. They have since stressed building out of their own end, shutting down the competition during victories at Daniel Hand (6-0; Jan. 14) and Milford Co-Op (4-0; Jan. 16). Sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Carbone, a first-year starter, totaled 28 saves for his first career shutouts.
“We are more comfortable working as a team,” said Mike Diglio, a senior captain with Drew Cunningham, Nate Gaudio, and J.D. Keegan. “We weren’t doing that before.”
“We changed things up a little. The guys are coming around,” stated Cheshire Head Coach Jim Riccitelli.
The shutouts followed a common theme. In five of six games, Cheshire (3-3 record) compiled a shot advantage and senior forward Mike Devine scored their first goal. Devine was the top scorer during his first season and he has already posted 12 points (10 goals, two assists) so far.
“It feels good,” reflected Devine. “I credit my line mates. You get the puck and have to put it away.”
The Rams knew finishing wouldn’t be easy against Milford, despite their 2-6 record. Milford senior goalkeeper Marcus Demchak is recognized as one of the state’s best and kept Cheshire scoreless early at the Milford Ice Pavilion. Diglio set the tone by aggressively racing to the puck and skating around defensemen, only Demchak denied three point-blank opportunities. The Rams out-shot Milford, 17-6, during the first period and finally converted at the 6:07 mark. Devine crashed the net and scored a pass from sophomore Spencer Hackett.
“We wanted to put shots on him (Demchak). They can keep it close because of his play,” Devine explained. “We don’t change our game plan.”
Soon after, Hackett nearly created another goal. Junior Ryan Powers received his cross pass and fired a hard shot in front of the net.
The Rams were called for the initial penalty, as the buzzer sounded to end the first period. The whistles picked up from that point on. Milford was penalized twice in the second period, but Demchak denied them from converting the power play.
It took a precisely timed sequence to extend the lead heading into the third period. Diglio broke free down the outside and with Gaudio accelerating down middle, he led him right into a hard shot.
“It came from clearing the zone. Diglio flew down the side and drew the defender, so I had the open shot,” Gaudio said.
The 2-on-1 breakaway with 1:32 left in the second period, exemplified the chemistry they’ve developed over the last four years.
“Me and Nate have good communication,” stated Diglio. “We’ve been playing together for so long. I know where he is going to be without saying anything.”
Cheshire overcame penalties to frustrate the Milford offense and add two more goals during the final stanza. Sophomore Tyler Violano found freshman Owen Powers, Ryan’s brother, for a close shot within 57 seconds.
“Owen creates a lot of open ice for Mike Devine,” added Riccitelli. “Tyler Violano plays with an edge.”
Three Cheshire penalties swung the power play advantage to Milford. Not only did the Rams limit open looks at their net, but they also were offensive while short-handed. Diglio stole the puck and skated alone down the middle, however, Demchak stopped shot.
Cheshire would get another opportunity three minutes later. Ryan Powers hustled all the way behind the Milford goal and sent a short pass to Devine for his second goal short-handed with 2:06 left. The Rams killed all five power plays and out-shot Milford, 40-8.
“We knew after Amity (6-4 loss; Jan. 9), we had to pick it up. We’ve worked on defense, especially,” recalled Gaudio.
The Rams applied tough defense in their shutout of Daniel Hand as well. Devine and Diglio (assist) had two goals each, while Gaudio (two assists each with junior Matt Dupont) and senior defenseman Colby Olin also scored at the Northford Ice Pavilion. Devine opened the game with a power play goal and Cheshire returned to score four times in the second period, including both goals from Diglio. Keegan supplied an assist. Cheshire used three to four lines to keep players fresh, taking 35 shots compared to 19 for Hand.
The Rams return to the Northford this afternoon to face host North Branford, at 4 p.m.