Robbins goal lifts Clippers over PSW
Freshman scores twice in D-II title series rematch
WOONSOCKET — The Cumberland hockey team displayed numerous positive traits on its way to a Division II title last season, but resiliency was never really one of them. Thanks to a smothering defense and an All-State goalie, when the Clippers took a lead, the game was essentially over.
Through the first two games this season, Cumberland has had to show resiliency numerous times and they’ve pulled through in both games. After a third-period explosion lifted the Clippers past Portsmouth last week, Cumberland engaged in an enthralling clash with PSW in a D-II title series rematch Friday night at Adelard Arena.
Cumberland took the lead in each of the first two periods, but the underdog Saints battled back twice to tie it – the second time on a majestic solo short-handed goal by PCD senior Bennett Hicks. The Clippers, however, had a response, as freshman forward Jamie Robbins cleaned up a shot by senior Aidan Clarey with 43 seconds left to lift the hosts to a 3-2 victory.
“We’re young and we’re inexperienced, but our freshmen are rising to the occasion and there’s some positives to take from that,” Cumberland coach Mark Andreozzi said. “The way we responded was a great thing. We were up for most of the third period with five minutes to go and we could’ve went to sleep. We had to kill a penalty off, so to battle through that and continue to work is a good thing.”
PSW doesn’t come to Adelard Arena very often, but they play well in the historic rink. Last season, the Saints were the only team to take a point off the Clippers when they battled back from a two-goal deficit in the final minute of a 3-2 overtime defeat. Friday, the Saints trailed for long stretches, but had a chance to win it thanks to 30 saves from Jeff Pimental.
Pimental’s St. Raphael schoolmate, Dom Rapoza, netted a first period goal, but suffered an injury late in the game. The Saints can ill-afford more injuries with standout defenseman Drew Andella out until at least late January with a hand injury.
“I’m encouraged by some of the things I saw, but we were dealing with a ton of adversity after losing one of our top forwards near the end of the game,” PSW coach Kevin Sullivan said. “The kids didn’t quit and we had a chance right up until the end and our goalie played his butt off. We still have to get better.”
The Knights appeared to be in deep trouble late in the third trailing by a goal and facing a two-minute man disadvantage after Michael Barone was called for an elbowing penalty with 6:22 remaining. Hicks, who was a big reason the Saints reached last season’s title series, scored a tremendous solo goal while being slashed to tie the game with 5:16 remaining.
Cumberland was then forced to kill off a penalty when Clarey was called for elbowing. After Cumberland kept the game tied, Clarey came out of the box and put a shot on Pimental’s net. The senior saved it, but Robbins drove to the net and tucked in the rebound. It was the second straight game a freshman scored the game-winning goal after Troy Senn scored a hat trick last week against the Patriots.
“He’s a hard worker and he grinds,” Andreozzi said of Robbins. “He goes after the puck. Aidan put it on net and he was just going to the net.”
Cumberland (2-0 Division II) step out of league play next week for their annual visit to Levy Rink to play in the Burrillville Winter Classical. The Clippers open up against Division I Moses Brown/East Providence coop Thursday at noon.
PSW (0-2-1 Division II) will play one more league game before Christmas, as Toll Gate treks up to Lynch Arena Sunday night for a 5:50 clash.
The Clippers dominated the entire first period and took a deserved lead at 4:35 when Jake McMillen fed Clarey, who found Ryan Taylor open at the point. The senior defenseman ripped a shot past Pimental. The lead, however, didn’t last until intermission because Rapoza scored with 19 seconds left in the period.
Cumberland retook the lead with 3:35 left in the second period when Clarey slipped a pass to Robbins in the left circle and the freshman fired a shot off of Pimental’s left shoulder and into the net. Cumberland had chances to extend the lead in the third period, but Pimental denied Kole Sisson and Jordan Cullion early in the period before Hicks’ solo effort forced Robbins to save the Clippers.
“We improved as the season went along last year and they have to want to improve,” Sullivan said. “I wish a few more kids had that resiliency because I know we have a handful who do. Some of the kids need to step up, but Bennett is not one. I would take 25 Bennetts.”