The old saying goes you have to deal with the hand you are dealt.
Unfortunately for the Boys Hockey team, they were dealt in off-suit two and seven(assuming you’re playing Texas Hold ’em) as they found out on game-day that they would be without multiple key players amid the Walpole High School sexting scandal. Despite this distraction, the Rebels played their hearts out; but it was not enough as Falmouth took advantage of a few Walpole penalties and won in overtime, 2-1.
It was a good thing goaltender Tim Kurker (27 saves) was on his game from the start as the Clippers dominated the play in the first period, out shooting the Rebels 13-2. The period nearly ended scoreless, but just seconds after Bill Moore was sent off for cross checking, Falmouth struck on the power play. Falmouth’s Nick Marston won a face-off back to Cam Tobey and his shot from just outside the right circle went in off the post with 28.1 seconds remaining for a 1-0 lead.
The Rebels dug deep despite being without some of their leaders and started to play what they were capable of. Halfway into the second period, the Rebels finally put it together as junior Kevin Ivatts tied up the game at one, beating Falmouth’s net-minder after being assisted by Moore and sophomore Jimmy McKenna. This juiced-up Walpole squad started to get much more physical; even so, senior Captain Pat Baker came up with the biggest hit of the night, pumping up the crowd. This upstart play by the Rebels gave Walpole a 7-6 advantage on shots in the second period.
Walpole continued their improved play throughout the third as they dominated in the shot department but failed to put one in the back of the net. This included two penalties Falmouth had to kill in which the Rebels were able to rip multiple shots but failed to capitalize as Falmouth’s net minder stood on his head. The third stayed scoreless, leading to overtime where both goalies continued their phenomenal play as neither team could put one in the back of the net in the first overtime.
As the teams entered the second overtime, Walpole looked to take the win as Moore had a breakaway on a power-play but was stifled by the Clipper’s goalie as he refused to let one in. With just minutes left in the second overtime, the Rebels made their biggest mistake of the season by getting penalized for having too many men on the ice. This penalty proved to cost them the season as Falmouth managed to score the game winner to end Walpole’s season.
Despite this loss, Coach Ron Dowd and the Rebels made it another successful season after qualifying for the State Tournament in consecutive seasons. Dowd and the rest of the returning Rebels look to make the next step next season as they hope to advance one step further and win their first playoff game in recent memory.
