In a much-anticipated matchup between two of the best teams in New York state on Jan. 22, visiting Pelham topped the Tigers, exploding for four goals in the third period to skate away with a 6-1 win.
Despite the loss, Tigers’ coach Mike Chiapparelli felt that the game wasn’t as one-sided as the final score indicated. “[Pelham] played very well, they outshot us 36-12,” Chiapparelli said. “But they had six power plays, all the big calls went their way, and it was really a perfect storm for them.”
Pelham drew first blood, breaking a scoreless tie early in the second period with a goal by Ben Hurd, but Mamaroneck answered quickly, netting the puck on a nifty move by Will Kirk. From there, however, it was all Pelicans, as they exploded for five straight goals to silence the home crowd at Hommocks.
Pelham sophomore Stefan Miklakos provided the heavy lifting, scoring two goals and dishing out two assists in the statement win.
“I think we panicked a bit and we didn’t play big in big spots,” Chiapparelli said. “We talk about playing in big spots, and the best teams do, and we just didn’t do it.”
The loss, though decisive, was not without controversy, as Chiapparelli protested the use of a three-referee system, something seldom seen in regular season contests. According to Chiapparelli, Pelham coach Ed Witz hired a third official for the game without informing the Mamaroneck staff.
Larry Scapperotti, the referee-in-chief for the Westchester Ice Hockey Officials Association, said the assignment of a third referee was the result of a miscommunication with Witz, who requested a third referee for a Jan. 19 game against Rye. Accidental or not, Chiapparelli believes the third official did have a bearing on the outcome. A few key spots that saw the officials out of position, he claims, led to a few blown calls that changed the complexion of the game.
“They don’t use a three-man system enough,” the Tigers’ coach said. “They’re good refs, but when the linesman thinks he’s a referee, guys are out of position and they blow calls.”
The Tigers will look to get back on track on Jan. 29,, after press time, when they host another talented team in Suffern. At 14-2 on the season, the Tigers hope to get back to their winning ways against the Mounties and peak as the playoffs approach.
“They’re all tough games, but we look at it like we have 20 practice games to get ready for the real season, which is the playoffs,” Chiapparelli said. “Winning 14 out of 16 games is great, but we’re going to look at making a couple of minor line changes and get back to where we want to be.”
