On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the Big Red travelled to Northampton, MA to take on the Wildcats of the Williston Northampton School.  The game began as SPS had hoped with both teams skating fast and moving the puck.  There were six and seven minutes stretches that were played without a single whistle; excellent pace by both clubs this early in the season.  Defensively, SPS kept the Wildcats to the outside, and goaltender Paige MacPhee calmly handled the shots that got through.  At the other end, SPS likewise got pucks to the net, but could not cash in on any second chances. Late in the period Williston had the best chance of the game so far when an odd deflection sent a pair WNH attackers in on goal.  MacPhee made the save of the day stifling a sure goal and taking the teams into the locker room even at 0 – 0. 

In the second period, WNH had much of the early zone possession making it difficult for SPS to change and push the pace of the game as they had done in the first.  However, on their first real chance of the period, the Big Red wasted no time to take the lead.  At 13:36 a quality shot from Jade Hill at the point was kicked out to a waiting Erin Flaherty & Kelsey MacPherson on the backside who quickly made it 1 – 0 off MacPhersons stick.  Less than 4 minutes later SPS made it 2 – 0 when Maealie Glanzer pounced on a loose puck in the crease and with a gritty effort, drove the puck into the net after a great rush by Madelyn Humber.  Strong defending from the Big Red ended the period with the visitors in the drivers seat.  
Eighteen minutes to play as the Big Red took to the ice for the final stanza. They knew good decisions and high energy were essential to close this one out.  The did just that in the early going.  The Wildcats were finally able to get on the board scoring a power play goal at 11:36.  Five minutes of even play occurred before penalties became an issue for the Big Red.  The Wildcats scored three more unanswered goals in a three-minute stretch to take a 4 – 2 lead with three minutes to play in the contest.  That is how it would end as SPS had to tip their hat to the hardworking Williston side and realize the adjustments they can make, both physically and mentally, to play a full 54 minutes of high-paced hockey.  A good learning experience as the SPS squad gets going this season.   

The Big Red head into a busy week hosting Lawrence Academy on Wednesday, traveling to Middlesex School on Friday and then returning home to host the Bulls of Holderness on Saturday afternoon.  Hope you can join us for some great hockey action.

Go Big Red.