CBy Casey O’Reilly ’17

Chaminade’s varsity hockey team faced off against its longtime rival, St. Anthony’s, for the first time since the Flyers topped the Friars to capture the CHSAA title last season.  The game took place at Iceworks in Syosset on Tuesday, December 8, and there was plenty of action from the start of the game.

St. Anthony’s broke the ice with a goal four minutes into the first period to take an early lead.  Six minutes later, Michael Landolphi ’16 responded for the Flyers with a goal after receiving a beautiful pass from Henry Hitchcock ’16.

The team showed great chemistry throughout the three periods, which is impressive considering the new mix of seniors and juniors.

Hitchcock later knocked in another goal on a penalty shot for Chaminade, but two power play goals scored by St. Anthony’s helped them gain the win. The Flyers struggled mightily to stay disciplined and avoid penalties throughout the game, and the Friars capitalized on their power plays.  After a five-minute major penalty on Chaminade, the Friars scored a goal late in the period to edge the Flyers, 3-2.

This was the Flyers’ first game of the season, and although it was a loss, many positives can be taken from the game.  The team showed great chemistry throughout the three periods, which is impressive considering the new mix of seniors and juniors.  Chaminade’s season looks promising with senior forward Michael Landolphi, who was a major player on last year’s team, and some other talented seniors and juniors who prove that the Flyers have no shortage of talent.  

Moreover, now that the Flyers have seen their rival play, they will make adjustments and come back stronger against St. Anthony’s and in the more important games down the road.  To put the game into perspective, David Villani ’17 said, “It was our first game against St. Anthony’s this season, and it would’ve been nice to win, but we’ll get them next time.”

St. Anthony’s won the first match, but Chaminade will face off against them again during the regular season.