The MCLA Trailblazers defeated the Rivier University Raiders by a score of 4-3 on the road in their sophomore outing of their “debut” season on November 4^th, 2023. This article will serve somewhat as recap, but more of an overarching analysis of the players whose games shined beyond what is seen on the boxscore.

              The first period was a challenge for the Trailblazers, as they surrendered 3 goals, while only managing to record one themselves. Hunter Phillips and Liam Hennessy recorded slick redirect goals through traffic to get the Raiders up to a 2-0 lead earlier in the game. Cade Herrera would answer with a dirty goal in tight off a rebound generated by Sean Schifferl to make the game 2-1. At the end of the period, Rivier standout Cormac Hayes caught the MCLA defenders on the heels and found himself alone on a breakaway with Gover. Hayes was able to beat Gover clean on his glove side bar down. Unfortunately for Hayes, Gover would not surrender another goal the rest of the way, despite some incredible scoring chances for the Raiders in the 2^nd period. The 3^rd period is where MCLA used the hard lessons they learned in the pre-season outing against Rivier. MCLA, who had dominated the board battles through the first 40 minutes began to seamlessly create offense by pulling pucks to the middle of the wall. Addam Brunner was able to do this at one point to set up Luke Rhoss for an absolute snipe, and Schifferl and Herrera were able to team up off these board battles to create two goals, including the game winner.

              Beyond these goals, and the things on the box score, there are a few players that I want to highlight, and if you feel so inclined to go back and rewatch the game, these are some things that I genuinely enjoyed seeing. Spencer Craig was frankly sensational in his own zone for 60 minutes, consistently preventing lateral passes from creating scoring chances with great stick positioning and hockey IQ. Additionally, Craig, Nagy, and Green once again were phenomenal at executing one-touch zone exits, and smoothly getting the team back on the attack from their own zone. I would be remiss if I ignored Ferris, Ogborn, and Castillo winning puck battles against the forecheck to get pucks up to their pairing mates to execute these transitions. Additionally, Ferris, with his long reach, was fantastic on the penalty kill for the Trailblazers. Looking to the forward group, the line of Glaubitz, Moore, and Brunner did so many things right, and the only knock against them is that they didn’t get pucks into the net. This trio is overwhelming at times with their ability to kill opposing possessions at the blueline, and consistently use their speed, skill, and game sense to put pressure on their opposition in transition. Jack Bortle was an individual standout tonight for his ability to create offense, as well as his commitment to grind out every possession in his own zone. Quinn Murphy didn’t have too many opportunities in the offensive zone, but he was a menace to Rivier in the MCLA zone by cleanly killing possessions with great positioning and outlet passes up into the neutral zone. Cody White once again impressed me with his compete level. Specifically, there was a moment from him about 15 minutes into the third period where he imposed his will on Rivier’s defenders in the neutral zone to force his way through multiple checkers to get a puck in deep to kill clock while up 4-3 and keep the lines rolling. This will never show up on a stat sheet, but it’s a play that makes a big impact on a game. Finally, Gover was his usual self, stopping 27 of 30 shots in the game. If you go back and rewatch the game, he was robbing goals from Rivier in the back 30 minutes of the game.

              Ultimately, the Trailblazers put together a great team game. Despite the deficit in the first period, the team didn’t come out as flat as one would expect. If MCLA continues to play the way they have through the first two games this season, they will win a decent number of games due the combination of Coach Ketts’ structure, and the compete level in the room. Luckily for the MCLA boys they get two great measuring sticks up next with UMass Dartmouth and Plymouth State.