On January 9th, the Oratory Prep Rams hockey team took on the Bayonne hockey team. The team was 6-3-1 coming into this game. They were also 4-0 in their division. However, division rival Bayonne came to Codey arena for a big game. Last time these two met, the Rams edged out a 2-1 win. They came up big late in the game to win that one. This game was crucial to the division standings, especially if the team is trying to win it all.
The puck dropped at 8:15 at Codey Arena with a packed stands. Many Rowdies were in attendance for this matchup. The first 8 minutes of the game were actionless. Neither team scored, but the Ram had good control. The puck was on their side and they had multiple good shots and open opportunities. Then, Jeffery Child had a huge goal at 6 and a half minutes left in the first period. Zahn and McGuire assisted on the play for the goal. In the first, the defense looked extremely strong. LaFrance was saving anything that came his way.
However, late in the second period Alex Fiermonte, Zahn’s club teammate, came up big. You could see the momentum shift. Many thought that it was going to be a tie game going into the third quarter, just like their last match up. Although, we didn’t see that. Right after the puck dropped, Captain Will Mazzei hit a huge shot to give the Rams the lead back. Jeffery Child had the assist on the huge goal. But, once again the Rams didn’t stop there. Less than a minute later, Captain Henry Zahn had a goal. This goal was on a power play from a penalty by Bayonne.
Going into the third period, the Rams had a 2 goal lead, with 3 goals scored in the last two minutes of the second period. Although, Childs didn’t stop there. He scored again 3 minutes into the period. He was assisted by freshman Nick Parks and Senior Will Mazzei. Bayonne didn’t go unanswered as Chase Harrison scored. This cut the lead to two. Freshman Luke Falzon, told me that a two goal lead is the worst lead in hockey. So, Jeffery Childs to finish off the hat trick scored again to make it 5-2. The Rams took the lead in an action packed game. This made them 7-3-1 and 5-0 in their division.
On Saturday January 10, the Oratory Prep basketball team suited up at home against Pingry. If I could say anything about this game, it would be that it was the craziest game I have ever watched of high school basketball. Pingry was 7-1 coming into this game, and they previously were in Florida playing top talent. They had notable players such as 6’8 Dylan Cowell. I immediately thought this would be an issue, but Mike Dragone locked him up.
Out of the jump, the Rams went up 8-3 with two big threes from Dragone. This sent a message that the Rams were ready to play. Pingry came back with a message after the huddle, keeping it a one point game. They were up then Oratory scored, that’s how it felt. It was 17-17 ending the quarter.
In the second, Dylan Cowell scored, then was silent for the rest of the quarter. Dragone and the double team were tearing him apart. He looked unconfident and rattled. With about 3 minutes left in the half the Rams were up 5. It felt as if every time Pingry hit a shot, they responded. It also felt Pingry didn’t make many. They only scored 7 that quarter. This is mainly because of the strong defense and stopping of Cowell. Oratory was up 4 at the half.
In the third, the Rams held the lead, but Pingry cut it to two. Until, Ryan Rust who had a third of their points went down. Fay dove for a ball under Rust and he went down. It was a very long time out with players and coaches mourning around him. Not just was he out for the game, probably for the foreseeable future. With this injury, it felt like the Rams had all the momentum. However, Pingry started to pull away. Cowell started to hit his free throws and finally broke the scoring barrier after a quarter and a half. By the end of the third quarter the Rams only put up 7. They were down four going into the last quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Rams kept it at four point difference. Although, with about 5 minutes left Pingry went on a run to go up 11. The team was sluggish, was letting up easy points, and shooting the first shot they had. When playing against such a strong team, those are the things you cannot do. Dougherty had another plan. With 1 minute and 16 seconds left the Rams were down eight. Dragone it a huge three to cut it to 5. Then a deflected tip caused a foul where Dragone went to the line looking for more. He hit both, cutting it to 3 points. Then, a steal again and a foul on Dragone caused him to go to the line once again. He hit the first and missed the second. 2 point game with 45 seconds left. Connor Lee had to foul them to stop the clock. With the loud Rowdies he only makes one. Down by 3, Connor Lee drives to the basket for 2 with 25 seconds left to go. The Rams fouled Justin George (#10) and sent him to the line. Once again the loud Rowdies made him miss both. Archie dribbled up the court, handed it off to Fay for Ryan to lay it up with an and one. Hitting the free throw it was a two point lead with 12.6 seconds left. Then, Pingry drove down and missed a layup. Lee was fouled on the rebound. He hit both free throws and iced the game.
This was a humongous win for the team. It was a statement victory and a massive comeback. It was a great weekend for OP sports and sets the line for January. The Rams play this Thursday at home. Come join to watch this team put on another masterclass.
