Young Team Tested SSHS Finishes Third at Don Kauth Tournament

High school hockey season is officially underway in Saratoga, as the Saratoga Blue Streaks opened up their season with the Don Kauth Memorial Tournament at Weibel Avenue Ice Rink on Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10. Going into their season opener on Friday evening, the Blue Streaks were looking to build upon the success of last season, having reached the state semifinals and winning their sixth sectional title in seven years. On Friday night, they took on the St. Joe’s Collegiate Marauders, a team out of Kenmore, located just outside of Buffalo. Saratoga would fall behind 6-0 by the end of the first two periods, but would score their first goal of the season off the stick of junior forward Matt Shamberger at 3:16 in the third period. Saratoga would later score with forty seconds to play on a goal from team captain Jonathan Luse. This would continue his two-point night, as he recorded an assist on Shamberger’s goal. Despite the late offensive surge, St. Joe’s defeated the Blue Streaks in their season opener by a final score of 8-2. On Saturday afternoon, Saratoga took on the defending-state champion Mamaroneck Tigers. The offense of Saratoga managed only eight shots on goal, all of which were saved by Mamaroneck goaltender Andrew Gargiulo. Mamaroneck scored twice in the first frame on two goals, thanks to Michael Carducci. The first goal came at 4:39, and the second at 13:30. The rest of the game remained quiet until less than a minute in the game, with Harrison Fried scoring with 39 seconds to play to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Tigers. Saratoga finished third out of four teams in the tournament. St. Joe’s was crowned tournament champions after a scoreless second period between Mamaroneck and Saratoga. They finished with a record of 2-0 in the tournament; their second victory resulted in shutting out Shenendehowa 4-0 on Saturday. Mamaroneck finished second in the tournament, as they also beat Shenendehowa 5-1 on Friday in Clifton Park. The Plainsmen finished fourth in the tournament standings. “Two really tough opponents. It’s a good start for us. We’re young, we’re really young,” Saratoga assistant coach Terry O’Brien said Saturday, who was filling in for Saratoga head coach Dave Torres, who was out of town. “I’m very proud of the kids, how they played.” With the pair of losses, Saratoga falls to 0-2 on the still young season. They will be playing Massena on Friday evening in a non-league game. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., and will be played at Weibel Avenue Ice Rink.