OT win sends CHS icemen to sectional semis

Outstanding goaltending by senior Jon Donaruma and another dominant performance by league MVP Kevin Rooney proved to be the difference on Saturday as the CHS boys’ hockey team survived an OT thriller against familiar foe Mansfield to earn a return trip to the Division 2 south sectional semifinals.

The 4-3 victory, won on a Rooney goal just eight seconds into overtime, set up a dream rematch last night with league rival Franklin, which grabbed a spot in the sectional final four with an easy 6-0 win over leaguemate Oliver Ames. (See semifinal results next week.)

Unlike the top-seeded Panthers, Canton had to scratch and claw its way to Saturday’s win, surrendering leads of 2-0 and 3-1 before getting the best of Mansfield in overtime.

Earlier in the game it was all Canton, however, as the Bulldogs overcame what coach Brian Shuman called some “nervous energy” to dominate the puck throughout much of the first period. Besides outshooting the Hornets 10-2, Canton also took a 1-0 lead midway through the period on a goal by sophomore Matt Malloy, who took a well-timed pass from Rooney and fired a wrister past the Hornet goalie.

Another young gun, freshman Pat Ward, would add a pair of goals within the first three minutes of the second period – sandwiched around a Mansfield goal – as the Bulldogs built a 3-1 lead and appeared to be in total control of the game.

But the Hornets stuck around, eventually tying the score on two quick powerplay goals late in the second period before taking over in the third.

“After Mansfield scored those quick two powerplay goals, we were kind of shell shocked and played scared,” Shuman said. “As a result, Mansfield really outplayed us for the rest of the game.”

Shuman said the Bulldogs’ saving grace — quite literally — was the play of Donaruma, who made several key stops down the stretch, including the biggest one of all with 15 seconds remaining in regulation.

“All year long, I’ve told people he can win a game for us by himself,” Shuman said of Donaruma. “He won this one for us.”

The other hero, of course, was Rooney, who took a pass off the face-off from senior captain Matt Buckley and streaked in alone for the game-winning score in overtime.

“Rooney might have played his best game of the season,” Shuman said. “He was a factor in all four goals and he made a big shot when it counted. The great players find ways to be difference makers in big games, and Kevin showed why he is in that category.”

As for the overall team effort, Shuman said he was very happy with how his players were able to fight through adversity and gut out a postseason win.

“We didn’t play our best game,” he said, “but we found a way to win. It showed how much heart this team has.”

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Posted by Jay Turner on Mar 4 2010. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.