Feb. 13, 2006
Fittingly, on a special "senior night" the Endicott Gulls played perhaps their most inspired game of the season with a dominate 3-1 performance over the visiting Bull dogs of Bryant University. It was unclear how Endicott would respond after coming off their worst lose of the season Thursday night at the hands of MIT, but from the very start, the Gulls looked as determined as they had all season.
Prior to the start of the game Endicott's five seniors: Captain, Adam Partaledis, Assistant Captain Jeff Pardue, Mark and Scott Vaughan, and Brendan Mack were recognized for their outstanding leadership and play since the start of the program four years ago.
From the very first drop of the puck, both teams exchanged heavy hitting and key offensive opportunities, only to be thwarted by great goaltending by Endicott's Jeff Pardue and Bryant's C.T. McLean. Endicott got on the board first at 15:18 of the first period after Mike Ripley ripped a shot from the point with McLean making the initial save, but Chris Linnehan was able to knock in the rebound. The lead would not last long as Bryant responded less than five minutes later when Endicott made a defensive miscue at their own blue line, sending Ed Brady in alone on Pardue tying the game at one.
The fast paced game continued through the second period with each goaltender trying to outmatch the other. However it was in this period that the Gulls started buzzing around the rink with their physical play and tenaciousness, creating countless scoring opportunities, only to be denied by McLean. On the other side of the rink Pardue was equal to the challenge turning away any assaults Bryant mustered.
The game was deadlocked until 11:34 of the third period when Mike Ripley would strike again for the game winner. Endicott had been pressurng in the Bryant end when Joe Dudek and Anthony Chedid worked the puck back up to Ripley who unloaded a blast in the upper corner past McLean. Still with more than half the period left the Gulls weren't comfortable with only a one goal lead. Bryant continued to pressure the Gulls, when a heads up play by Mike Feehely was forced to hall down a Bryant player to prevent an easy break away on Pardue. The strong penalty killing of the Gulls preserved the one goal lead until Endicott was able to pounce again to put the game out of reach for good. The inspired play of Dudek and Ben Dodge all night allowed Bryan Caccamo at 2:45 of the third period to knock in a rebound to seal the game at 3-1.
In the end, McLean turned away spectacular opportunities from Endicott's Garofalo, Mark Vaughan, Mike Manfredi, as well as the strong play of Dargon, Caccamo, and Uhlman to record 48 saves. Pardue finished with a spectacular 29 saves.
Playoffs begin for the Gulls next week.
