Hatch’s Two Late Goals Lead Wildcats to Victory

Two goals in the third period from Connor Hatch helped the Rye Country Day Wildcats ice hockey team beat the Hamden Hall Hornets 5-4.

Wednesday's home game was the Wildcats' first varsity game in more than a year, since junior varsity players played against the Hornets the last time the two schools met.

Head Coach Gary Bingham said he was proud of his young players' efforts to battle back and pull out the victory despite losing their early 1-0 lead in the first period.

"They weren't as strong as I would have liked," Bingham said. "We had to scratch and claw. They battled back."

The Wildcats were also playing without starting goalie Jack Carroll, who was out sick and was replaced by Michael Mossman. Mossman performed well, with 24 saves in Wednesday's game.

Henry Beshar's goal from Shayne Bingham put the Wildcats on the board first before Jeremy Germain tied it nine minutes later, for a 1-1 score heading into the second period.

The Hornets Dante Tomassini's goal from Ryan McLellan then gave the Hornets a 2-1 lead until Andrew Gillen tied it at 2-2 on another Bingham assist.

Ryan McLellan's score from Joe Lord then made it 3-2 for the Hornets heading into the third period.

The Wildcats again tied it at 3-3 in the third on one of Connor Hatch's two goals in the period. James Kissel followed with a goal of his own to give the Wildcats a 4-3 lead.

Hatch's second goal with under five minutes to go was enough to secure the Wildcats' victory, despite the Hornets' scoring another goal with 13 seconds left in the game.

Hamden Hall Head Coach Josh Siembida said his team had trouble finishing as the more experienced Wildcats took over the game.

"We couldn't tie it," he said.

The Wildcats next play on the road at St. Georges Friday while the Hornets host the Harvey School Friday at 2:50 p.m.