By Cameron Merritt, HockomockSports.com Contributor
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – In the waning seconds of their Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee with non-league rivals Bishop Feehan, the North Attleboro Red Rocketeers, despite their late efforts and man advantage from pulling goalie Ryan Warren, looked destined for defeat.
However, a redirect off a last-chance shot by senior forward Zach McGowan with 4.9 seconds remaining changed everything, allowing the Rocketeers to escape the clash with a point, while denying the rival Shamrocks an important non-league victory.
“Obviously I’m happy with the outcome,” said North Attleboro coach Steve Snizek. “Our boys were resilient, [which] shows a lot of character. They played desperation, which was obviously needed. So all in all, I thought it was a pretty even game.”
Both teams had 27 shots on the afternoon; both goaltenders, North’s Ryan Warren and Feehan’s Derek Dattero, made 25 saves.
“Warren’s been solid behind the pipes as usual,” said Snizek, who credited his point blank save on a hard Feehan shot late in the third period as “the game changer.”
The game began fairly even, but the Shamrocks would be handed the first power play opportunity of the game with 13:19 left in the period as they were called for too many men on the ice, though nothing would come of it.
North Attleboro would have an opportunity of their own with 9:45 as Feehan’s Devin Payson was assessed a cross-checking penalty. Both teams would continue to exchange shots, though neither found luck nor the back of the net.
After a North Attleboro interference penalty with 7:42 left in the period, Feehan was able to get off a pair of shots on the power play and take the momentum, as well as possession.
While Feehan looked to be the stronger side heading into the first intermission, the Rocketeers took their chance as McGowan dumped the puck behind the net, and junior Andrew Wissler was able to wrap it around the post and slide it past the blockers of Dattero and give North Attleboro a 1-0 lead with 0:16 remaining before the break.
In the second period, North showed their abilities to use the body to their advantages, dominating checks along the boards. The Shamrocks, on the other hand, were dominating possession and shots, while the Rocketeers were unable to challenge Dattero until almost halfway through the middle period.
The Shamrocks had near back-to-back power play chances after tripping (11:35) and hit to the head (9:13) penalties sent North to the box, but again the Rocketeers were able to kill off the chances.
After multiple attempts on Warren, Feehan were able to beat the goaltender with 2:38 remaining as, in front of goal, as Kevin Jezard and Josh Nelson set up Ben Gaucher, allowing the sophomore forward to draw the Shamrocks even with the Rocketeers.
Riding the momentum, Feehan struck again just 42 seconds later as Payson, with help from Joe Castano and Tim D’Ambrosia, gave the Shamrocks the 2-1 lead with 1:56 left in the period.
Neither side went quietly into the second intermission, as three penalties were assessed in the final minute. Both teams exchanged penalties with 0:42 seconds left as Feehan and North were assessed elbowing and hooking penalties respectively, and then Feehan’s Sean Dunphy was called for roughing with 0:29 seconds, as North finished out the period with a four-on-three advantage.
In the final period, the Rocketeers flipped the switch on momentum, dominating possession and shots in the opening minutes.
When North was sent to the penalty box for roughing with 9:39 remaining, momentum began to shift in favor of Feehan, with the hosts looking likely to build on their lead as they continued to press on.
North Attleboro never wavered in their efforts, however, and despite several misses, and a near-Feehan goal on their empty net that missed by inches, McGowan’s goal was able to savage his team’s efforts and let them walk away with a point after a tough battle.
For Snizek, while they would’ve preferred a win, there were still important takeaways from the game in his eyes.
“The resiliency, the character, and bouncing back when you’re down,” said Snizek. “I’m very proud of the boys for that.”
North Attleboro return to action Wednesday as they host Kelley-Rex leaders King Philip, while Bishop Feehan will wait until Saturday to host Coyle-Cassidy.
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