By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN – Middletown North hockey Coach Matt Clemente went into the season with an optimistic outlook, and he has good reason for it.
The Lions opened their season with a win over Marlboro, but the big win was Friday’s 5-3 win over rival Middletown South before a standing room only crowd at the Middletown Ice World.
“It is always great to beat Middletown South,” said Clemente, whose team went 12-10 a year ago. “We have a lot of players back and are looking for some recognition from the media.”
The Lions led 4-3 going into the final quarter and South had opportunities to tie the game, but some great saves by North goalie Mike Corella kept North in front, and Kevin Felice scored an insurance goal for the Lions with 4:36 remaining.
“Mike came through in the third period when we needed him,” said Clemente. “This was only his second varsity start. I feel that he might have been a bit nervous with so many people here. He stepped up big time.”
“I was a little nervous,” Corella admitted. “But I feel great because this is a big rivalry and it was something special.”
Middletown South opened quickly when Brandon Shulman scored on a power play goal, but North came back with four goals in a row, two of them by Kevin Stager to lead, 4-1. Vinny Tomasetti and Zack Gazette had the other goals for the Lions in that streak.
South’s Wes Friberg and Ryan Lambert scored to cut the lead to 4-3, but Corella’s strong play in the goal kept South from tying the game.
In contrast to North, South is in a bit of a rebuilding year.
“Our guys played as hard as they could,” said South coach Anthony Nemati. “We have a young team but have great depth and I like what I have seen so far.
“We had a couple of good chances when we were down by one goal, but couldn’t capitalize on them,” he said. “I still believe that we will be good this season.”
The two teams will play again Feb. 6 in the Mayor’s trophy game.
