As a cold breeze withered through Warinanco, fans’ excitement began to spread throughout the entire rink for the Blue Devil’s home opener. As Westfield locked in to play Middletown North, the reigning Public B state champions of the 2022-2023 season, they were determined to prove their worth.
Coming off their first game with a score of 6-4 against Northern Highlands on Dec. 7, the Blue Devils longed for another win. Head coach Joe Bertucci said the team needs to continue to “play their game and be confident in [their] systems,” and the Blue Devils did just that by starting this game fast and furious. They managed to win the first face-off, creating a remarkable first sequence of events.
The puck found sophomore Luke Fitzgerald who flipped a wrist shot from the point, finding the back on the net in left in only 45 seconds. As the Blue Devils led 1-0, the Lions began to get impatient, checking Westfield at every opportunity possible. This caused Westfield to lose majority of possessions in the neutral zone. However, they were able to get out of their own heads, getting multiple shots off at Middletown North’s goalie.
Nevertheless, the Lions were able to get the next goal as one of their forwards found an opportunity for a breakaway. They shot the puck over senior goalie Andrew Raber’s shoulder, placing it in the top left corner.
The game was tied, each team was fighting for the next point. As the game got more aggressive, a Westfield player fell down on the ice, giving the Blue Devils a few minutes to recollect themselves. With clear heads, sophomore Andrew Lisnock was able to capitalize on an advancing forward play, finding a slot to shoot the puck to the back of the net with only five minutes left in the first period.
The Blue Devils led once again, and the game went back to being a ferocious matchup. A five minute major for illegal head contact was called at the end of the first period, resulting in a fight between players from each team. The players had to be escorted to the box by the referee.
When the Zamboni cut the ice, each team was prepared to start the second period a man down, four vs. four. Westfield continued the period with strong offensive and defensive plays, especially from Raber in net.
The rest of the period was filled with back-and-forth play, along with trash talking from the student section and parents from the other team. With these comments came a rowdy final few minutes of play in the second period, and a penalty was given out to a Westfield player. With Middletown North on a power play, the Blue Devils spent the rest of their time clearing the puck into the Lions defensive zone.
Throughout the third period, multiple penalties were given which led to another goal for Middletown North with four minutes left in the game. When asked about the goal, Raber said he “didn’t have a good enough grip on the puck.” The score remained at 2-2 for the rest of the period, and the game went into overtime.
Going into overtime, each team maintained even possession with many shots taken and saved by each goalie, ultimately ending in a 2-2 draw.
With the Blue Devils playing their next game this Friday at Richard J. Codey Arena against West Essex at 8:30 p.m., they hope to come out with a win for their third game of the season.
