The New England Black Wolves defeated the New York Riptide 21-11 in the Home Opener and improves to 3-0 on the season. This was the first all-time matchup between the two opponents.
New York was the first on the board with two back-to-back goals by Connor Kelly and Gale Thorpe.
The 2-0 deficit was all New England needed to get things rolling on the home turf. The Pack snapped back with an 11-0 run that extended well into the second quarter.
Joe Resetarits ignited the run with a goal and his 400th career point on an assist from Andrew Kew. Reilly O’Connor found the back of the net four times during the stretch and grabbed an assist. Additionally, Kew and veteran Callum Crawford netted in two apiece for the Black Wolves. Nick Chaykowsky and Dereck Downs also recorded goals, giving New England the 11-2 advantage. Four of the Pack’s 11 goals came during man-up possessions.
Eventually, the Riptide was able to fight back and put a stop to the scoring run. New York was able to score four goals before the conclusion of the first half. The Riptide first received goals from Dan Lomas and Tyler Digby and then Kieran McArdle and Jean-Luc Chetner. New York’s pair of goals were separated by a Stephan Leblanc goal.
Crawford started the second half with his second goal and 11th point of the game. The Riptide were able to get in three more goals before the Black Wolves also netted in three of their own.
O’Connor found the back of the net two more times for a new career-high six goals scored, Resetarits popped one in between. New York’s Lomas was able to score one last goal to cut the Pack’s lead down, 16-11.
The last five goals of the game were scored by New England. Crawford who tallied his 1000th career point on his final goal scored two of the five goals. The vet finished with a team high nine assists and five goals for 14 total points.
Resetarits, Kew and Dave Emala netted in the last three goals to bring home the 21-11 victory.
In the faceoff circle, Joe Nardella went 27 for 36 compared to New York’s Suitor and Alex Woodall who went for a combined nine for 36. Nardella, Mackenzie Mitchell and Kew led the team with 10 loose balls apiece.
Doug Jamieson continued to stand strong in the net for the Black Wolves. The starting keeper tallied 32 saves on 43 shots on goal. Ethan Woods also appeared in the goal and made his first two saves as a Black Wolf.
The Black Wolves finished with 28 assists, 93 loose balls, 24 caused turnovers and 52 shots on goal. The Riptide tallied 20 assists 53 loose balls, five caused turnovers and 43 shots on goals.
New England will have two bye weeks to start the New Year. The Pack will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7PM when they host the Philadelphia Wings at Mohegan Sun Arena on Rivalry Night.