Sports
Hockey: Late Game Dramatics Push Reds Past River Rats
Cranston Reds defeat the Neponset Valley River Rats 4-3
The Cranston Reds faced off against the Neponset Valley River Rats on Saturday afternoon at Cranston Ice Rink. It was a competitive game throughout and neither team had a two-goal advantage at any point. Ultimately, the Reds won the game 4-3, scoring a goal with ten seconds left in the game.
The Reds came out flat in the first period and Neponset Valley seeked to take advantage of it. They applied pressure on Cranston's defensive zone for most of the period, but could not break through on the scoreboard.
Giuliano Dirissio gave the Rats a 1-0 lead with just over a minute left in the period on a 2 on 1 scoring opportunity.
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Cranston came out with more intensity in the second period and Steve Mathews scored the equalizer 49 seconds into the period. He stole the puck and finished on the breakaway, knotting the score at one.
However, they were unable to capitalize on two key scoring opportunities in the period. They had two power plays within a span of five minutes, but wasted both chances, unable to take the lead.
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The River Rats made them pay and scored a goal with only 35 seconds left in the second. They had a 3 on 2 opportunity and Jordan Viera fired the shot five hole giving Neponset Valley a 2-1 lead after two periods.
Both teams offenses would step it up a notch in the final period. Mathews recorded his second goal of the night five minuted into the third, tying the score. Mitch Maloof and Dylan Russo picked up assists on the play that tied the score at 2.
The River Rats would answer three minutes later when Brett McGwire stole the puck and finished on a wrap-around goal, giving Neponset Valley a 3-2 lead.
The stage was set for some late game drama and the Reds provided it. John Ranalli streaked down the left side and flicked the puck far post and into the back of the net with 2:51 left in the game.
They were not finished yet. Cranston East senior, Bob Kuczek, picked up the rebound on Ranalli's shot and fired it into the back of the net, giving the Reds a 4-3 victory. Kuczek's goal came with 10.9 seconds left in the game.
