Sunday, December 19, 2010

Prep A Falls to Choate 2-1

In the semifinals of the Lawrenceville Tournament, Nichols played one of its best games against one of the best in New England but came up short in a 2-1 decision. The game was up and down at an intense pace for the full 45 minutes. Choate scored 4 minutes into the game. Nichols had numerous chances to tie the game but could not find the net. Choate would score on a power play in the third to go up 2-0. With the goaltender pulled, Charlie Stein would finally solve the Choate goaltender with 1:30 remaining. Nichols would get another chance with the goaltender pulled but could not tie the game. Peter Dudek made 28 saves in the game.

Nichols faces Taft on Sunday in the third place game on Sunday at noon.

Nichols v Taft

The Nichols-Taft game will be broadcast on the internet today at noon. Head to the Lawrenceville website under the tournaments section.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Prep A Wins Game 1

The Prep A team started the 63rd Lawrenceville Tournament in style winning game 1 against Northfield-Mt Hermon 4-3 in overtime. Nichols came out flying and Kevin Kirisits scored 15 seconds into the game. Sean Malone put Nichols up 2-0 just two minutes later. NMH would score one before the period was over. NMH tied the game early in the second but Charlie Stein helped Nichols regain the lead. NMH would score on the power play to tie the game after two.

There was no scoring in the third so the game went to overtime. Nick Smith blocked a shot and saw himself on a 2-on-1. Smith opted to shoot and buried the puck over the glove of the NMH goaltender. Brandon Mueller was strong in net making 21 saves.

Nichols will face Choate in the semifinals at 7:00.

Shady Side Game 2

The Prep A team faced Shady Side for the second time in as many days and skated away with a 2-2 tie. Nichols had control all game out shooting Shady Side 39-18, the inability to score goals plagued the team all night. Sean Malone and Nick Smith put the Vikings up by two, but Shady Side closed the gap with a power play goal before the second period ended. With Nichols on a power play for the final two minutes, Shady Side took advantage of defensive miscues and tied the game with just over a minute to play. Despite a flurry of shots in the last minute and a penalty shot with 4 seconds remaining, the game headed to overtime where the score would not change. Peter Dudek made 16 saves.

The Prep A heads to Lawrenceville the weekend for its 63rd year of participation in the Lawrenceville Tournament. Game 1 will be against Northfield-Mt. Hermon, last year's New England Prep School runner-up.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Prep A Recovers Against Shady Side

Nichols hosted Shady Side Academy from Pittsburgh, PA and skated away with a 3-2 victory.  Nichols broke out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Ryan Stayner (his first of the season) and Matt Benedict.  Shady Side crept back with 2 power play goals, but Andrew Poturalski broke the deadlock to secure the victory.  Brandon Mueller made 35 saves for the win.

NIchols Falls in Home Opener

The Nichols Prep A Hockey team hosted St. Andrew's in CISAA League play, and dropped a 2-1 decision for the first loss of the season.  Although Nichols outshot St. Andrew's 38-19, it proved difficult to put the puck in the back of the net.  Nick Smith scored the only goal of the game with just over 2 minutes remaining.  Peter Dudek made 17 saves in net.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Nichols Defeats St. Mike's

The Nichols Prep A team traveled to Toronto to face St. Michael's College School in an important CISAA league game and walked away with a victory and crucial two points in the standings.  The first period ended scoreless with both teams creating good scoring opportunities.  In the second period, Kevin Kirists deflected a Charlie Stein shot to open the scoring for Nichols in the second period.  James Randaccio scored on a wrap-around not long after to extend the lead to 2-0.  St. Michael's executed on a 2-on-1 in the third to cut the lead to 2-1.  Avery Coppins added an empty netter to seal the victory.  Brandon Mueller finished the game with 19 saves. 

Nichols is 2-0-0 in the league and 4-0-1 overall.  The Vikings host St. Andrew's on December 8th at 4:00.  This is a rematch of last year's CISAA finals in which Nichols fell to St. Andrew's in the third and final game of the series.