Falcons Edge Raiders In Crosstown Classic

Whenever and meet on the ice, the records get thrown out the window, and emotion becomes the predominant factor in the eventual outcome.

Such was the case Saturday at the Enfield Twin Rinks, as the two teams put on a classic whose intensity and excitement rivaled nearly any crosstown matchup that came before it.

It may or may not have been the final game in the three decades-plus series, but it was among the most memorable as the Falcons edged the Raiders 5-3 in front of a packed house.

"I thought it was a great all-around effort by both teams, and it was an exciting game to be a part of," Fermi head coach Frank Genovese said.

Declining numbers in both programs have created a strong possibility that the teams may merge into a co-op as early as next season. Whether or not that happens, both squads played Saturday as if it was the final encounter.

The first period was marked by heavy hitting and end-to-end action, symbolic of typical Enfield-Fermi games since the mid-1970s. Neither team scored, however, until Fermi's Ryan Guhne converted off assists from Joey Rush and Shaun Kellam with just 24 seconds left in the period.

In the first five minutes of the second period, the Falcons put tremendous pressure on Enfield goaltender Steven Daigle, but could not find the back of the net. Max Groszyk then tied the game for the Raiders at the 5:25 mark, assisted by Brendan Lemire and Jake Burnham.

Just over two minutes later, Rush took a pass from Nick Ferracci, broke in from center ice and beat Daigle, his stepbrother, to reclaim the lead for the Falcons.

Enfield came right back, tying the game a minute and a half later on Groszyk's second goal of the period, assisted by Ian McDonald.

Both teams came out fired up after the second intermission, knowing the next goal would be crucial, but Daigle and Fermi goaltender Brandon Carey were true to the challenge.

Rush pushed the Falcons back in front 3-2 with 5:21 left in regulation, banking in a shot off Daigle's body. Evan Boissy then had a chance to tie the game for the Raiders by breaking in alone after a Fermi turnover, but Carey responded with a huge save to preserve the slim lead.

With three minutes remaining, A.J. Latulippe gave the Falcons some breathing room, scoring on a backhander after a strong rush down the ice. However, with Daigle removed in favor of a sixth attacker, Groszyk pulled the Raiders back within one by firing home a slapshot, his third goal of the afternoon, with 35 seconds left.

Enfield continued to apply pressure with the extra skater in the waning moments, but Rush sealed the victory by completing his hat trick into the empty net with one second left. It was the second consecutive three-goal game for Rush, a senior tri-captain.

"In the third period, we got exceptional goaltending and timely scoring," Genovese said.

Following the game, Enfield mayor Scott Kaupin presented the Falcons with the Mayor's Trophy, an award created in 2009 to signify the winner of the crosstown rivalry game.

Fermi (6-11-1) remains alive in its hopes for a Division I state tournament berth, but it will be an uphill battle. The Falcons need at least a win and a tie in their final two games to qualify, but face tough opponents in Notre Dame-Fairfield on the road Thursday and Glastonbury at home next Saturday.

Enfield (5-11-1) is in a similar situation, needing at least two wins and a tie in their final three outings to make the Division II tournament.  The Raiders play at South Windsor Monday, then finish the regular season with home games against Windsor-East Granby-Avon Friday and North Branford Saturday.