The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys varsity hockey team fought an exciting, competitive game against Bishop Feehan Saturday night that ended in a 3-3 tie at the MV Ice Arena. Senior captain Austin Morley netted his first ever hat-trick. But for a last minute goal by the Shamrocks, the Vineyarders would have picked up the victory.
In front of a group of dedicated fans that chose hockey over the Patriots playoff game, the boys came out fighting. With just 7 minutes gone in the first, Austin Morley released a snapshot from the high slot that slipped past the Feehan goalie, putting Martha’s Vineyard up 1-0. Some solid defense kept the Shamrocks out of the net, most notably from defenseman Nick Vukota, who was solid throughout.
One minute and seven seconds into the second period, Austin Morley scored his second goal of the game, putting the Vineyard up 2-0. But that lead was short lived when Feehan’s Jack Hanson scored three minutes later, making the score 2-1. After the first Feehan goal, the boys in purple began pressuring Bishop Feehan higher on the ice.
The forwards, notably Nainoa Cooperrider, kept pressuring the puck in Feehan’s third, converting turnovers into shots on goal. Several times in the second period Cooperrider was able to knock the puck from a Shamrock defender and get a shot off, only to have it turned away each time. Junior forward Emerson Mahoney was able to break away for a one-on-one against Bishop Feehan’s goalie, but his shot went wide of net, eliciting a groan from the fans in the stands.
In the third period, the Vineyard came out skating a bit slow. Feehan’s Kyle Brown leveled the score at 2 after a defensive error saw Brown unmarked in front of the net. He was able to receive a pass and slot it into the Vineyard goal with little difficulty. But the Vineyarders responded, not content with a tie. Vineyard ice man Jonas Lukowitz had a great shot saved after a one-timer pass from Emerson Mahoney. The Vineyard’s Steven Brown also had a shot denied after a great spell of possession.
With 9 minutes left in the game, Martha’s Vineyard really began to turn up the pressure. Emerson Mahoney outskated everyone, leaving him alone with the Shamrocks goalie, but he was unable to convert the breakaway. Seconds later, a Bishop Feehan turnover created a one-on-one opportunity with Joe Davies, but the forward shot wide of the Feehan net. This pressure caused problems for the Shamrock defense, and after several minutes the Feehan defense could be heard shouting curses of frustration.
With 6:02 left in the game Emerson Mahoney once again led a Vineyard charge, this time faking a shot before passing to Austin Morley, who would not be denied, giving Martha’s Vineyard a 3-2 lead. The home crowd would only enjoy that lead for 75 seconds, though.
Bishop Feehan’s Kyle Brown tied the game 3-3. With Feehan gaining momentum, defender Matt Davies became a brick wall, not allowing the Shamrocks to cross half-ice, knocking down any passes meant for their forwards.
Despite the tie the Vineyarders play is much improved from earlier in the season. The boys have taken several tough losses this year, but after this performance everyone’s spirits should be up. Martha’s Vineyard skated well, passed extraordinarily and improved on their recent defensive lapses.
The 3-3-2 Vineyarders take on an undefeated Somerset-Berkeley on Wednesday in Fall River.