The boys varsity hockey team won its eighth game of the season on Wednesday, January 18, defeating Taft 2-1 in a dramatic overtime finish.

In a game that featured two of the top goalies in New England, both squads knew that getting to the net would be key, and it showed early. Both teams created chances in the first period that led to plenty of action in front of the net, but neither team could find the opening goal. They headed to the locker rooms for the first intermission tied 0-0.

Taft upped its game in the second period and jumped all over the Pelicans early. The Rhinos created problems for the Loomis defense and finally broke through and took the lead on a shot off the back boards that popped out in front of the net and was put home in the ensuing pile-up.

The Pelicans responded with a similar goal of their own. Junior defenseman Drew Anastasio fired a shot just wide of the Taft net. The puck bounced off the back wall onto the stick of junior Cory Alissi, who roofed the puck home on a tight angle to tie the score at one.

After the second intermission, the Pelicans started the period playing physical and putting pressure on the Taft defense, but the Rhinos’ goaltender stood strong and kept Loomis out of the back of the net.

A penalty against Loomis with under two minutes left to play made things difficult for the Pelicans, but they managed to kill off the penalty and force a sudden-death overtime period.

In overtime, junior Ryan Staples drew a penalty and earned the Pelicans their first odd-man opportunity of the game. On the ensuing draw, Staples won the puck back to the defense and eventually found the stick of senior Eli Hull, who rifled a shot towards the net. The shot was deflected by senior Will Reardon past the Taft goaltender to secure the victory.

The Pelicans have a quick turnaround, taking on Westminster at the Savage/Johnson Rink on Friday, January 20, at 5 p.m.