If the ice hockey season were a chemistry test, Rye would be scoring straight A’s. The 7-0-1 Garnets have an uncanny knack for anticipating each other’s moves, according to senior captain Ryan Rogers, more so than any of the other teams he has played on in his four years on varsity.
By Jim Byrne
If the ice hockey season were a chemistry test, Rye would be scoring straight A’s. The 7-0-1 Garnets have an uncanny knack for anticipating each other’s moves, according to senior captain Ryan Rogers, more so than any of the other teams he has played on in his four years on varsity.
“We’re undefeated because of our simple and very disciplined style of play,” said Rogers. “We get the puck deep and forward check at full speed. Once we get the puck we’re hungry to get the goals.”
And score goals they have. Rye’s 7-2 victory against Fox Lane at home January 4 brought their season total to 41. Michael Benincasa leads the team in points with 21 (10 goals, 11 assists), but the Garnets are three lines deep and feature five additional players – Rogers, Cal Hynson, Chris Lipari, Kirk Holmes, and Jason Chin – in double figures for points. The team proved Rogers’ point about chemistry by recording eight assists in the first period alone against the Foxes.
Junior goaltender Aidan Talgo has been a rock in net for Rye, allowing only 15 goals this season, six of which came in a single game against a Buffalo hockey power.
“Talgo knew he had to step up his game this year and he has,” said Rogers. “He practiced all summer and you can tell he wants to win and doesn’t want to let the team down. Our defense has done a great job of protecting and reducing the amount of shots fired on him.”
The Garnets have their sights set on a fourth Section title in six years, but still have to complete the second half of a regular season full of imposing competition like rival Pelham. The Pelicans defeated Rye 1-0 in the Section championship last year. The teams meet for the first – and probably not last – time this season February 1 at Playland.
“We just have to keep rolling and playing the way we’re playing,” said Rogers. “If we do that then we have the potential to – at least – win the Section crown. Pelham is just another game, another step closer to the championship.”
Rye heads to Western New York this weekend for a pair of tilts against Rochester squads.
— Photos by RyeSportsPhotos.com
