Down 1-0 midway through the first period of the game against Tilton, Mike McGreal ’17 fired a shot from just inside the blue line, and Post-Graduate Alec Robitaille ’17 smashed the rebound into the back of the net to tie the game 1-1 for Andover Boys Hockey. Constantly playing catch-up throughout the game, the team ultimately lost to Tilton 4-3 on Wednesday.
Andover ended the first period trailing 2-1 after a late goal by Tilton. Robitaille wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “We need to improve on the way we start games as a whole. We allowed the opposing team to score a goal ten seconds into the game again.”
Tilton expanded the lead to 3-1, but Andover bounced back and took advantage of a power play. Kevin Kastholm ’17 navigated the puck from the corner to the front of the net, where Robitaille was in position to tuck away the rebound.
With time winding down in the second period, Tilton netted another goal to send Andover into the locker room down 4-2.
Quinn Doyle ’18 commented on Andover’s relentless play. Doyle wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “As a team we were able to stick together even when things were not going our way.”
Co-Captain Jack Cusack ’18 said, “[Head Coach Paul Tortorella ’83] did a great job of rallying the boys between periods, which led to a fast start in the third. Following his lead, we were able to come out strong, winning most puck battles and creating scoring opportunities.”
Andover came out strong in the third period with Cole Quisenberry ’18 scoring from the top of the circles, bringing the game to 4-3. Tilton held onto its lead until the end of the third period.
Andover will take its weaknesses from this game and use them as fuel for its matchup against Phillips Exeter Academy this Saturday.
In preparation for the game, Co-Captain Jonny Edelson ’17 said, “We just need to communicate better and clean up the defensive zone before Exeter, and I think we will be ready to go.”
Doyle added, “I’m sure everyone on the team is going to give a little extra to make sure we come away with a win this weekend.”
