Emery’s OT Goal Gives Conard a Wild Win Over Cheshire – We-Ha

The junior scored the hat trick for the Red Wolves in a game Wednesday night at the Veterans Memorial Rink in West Hartford.

Torin McGoldrick looks for options with the puck. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

By Paul Palmer

Junior Aiden Emery capped a hat-trick with the game-winner 42 seconds after overtime as the Conard Red Wolves closed a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat Cheshire in a wild hockey game Wednesday night in West Hartford.

“The puck came in and there was a man to go around,” Emery said of the game’s winner. “My legs were done but I kept going and got the shot.” The game winner marked the first time the Red Wolves led the Rams in the thrilling game at the Veterans Memorial Ice Rink.

Emery had forced overtime when he scored his second goal with 42 seconds left in the third period and Conard ran with the extra man after pulling the keeper. Conard found himself two down when Devin Kelly scored at 6:29 but didn’t give up. “I’ve never seen anyone hit their head on the bench,” Emery said.

Cheshire’s Rocco Ocone-Krause scores the first of his two goals. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

Cheshire scored the only goal of the first half when Rocco Ocone-Krause scored the first of his two goals at 7:52, rebounding past goaltender Brendan Murphy. Moments later, Brady Narus had a chance to even things out, but he was knocked out by Cheshire goalie Jack Falk.

The Rams doubled their lead just 24 seconds into the second period when Evan Vasiljevs scored. Conard went on offense and had several good opportunities, but when Tyler West went to rough around at 12:47 the momentum was stunted for the hosts. Barely a minute into the manpower game, Will Gaudet ran the puck from his own end the length of the ice and circled Conard’s goal before handing the puck to Vasiljevs on the blue line. Then he went tie after tie with Ocone-Krause, who hit from the right side and slammed the puck into the net.

“That was our first real test of the season,” said head coach Jason Olson, who led Conard to the Division III Finals last season. “We had our backs to the wall”

Gavin McGowan scored one of Conard’s five goals. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

Conard responded in the second half of the second period, initially Gavin McGowan put in a strong individual performance and scored while being knocked onto the ice. Later in the period, Emery and teammate Torin McGoldrick came in with a two-for-one, and McGoldrick put the puck on his teammate’s stick and Emery’s Wrister brought Conard back to a 3-2 deficit.

Conard’s Torin McGoldrick (5) converts Aiden Emery’s pass. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

In two periods, Cheshire had 18 shots and Conard 17 as both keepers were forced to work hard.

In the third, Conard struggled for an equalizer and Gavin Mangini almost did it after just five minutes when he had two close-range attempts that Falk was able to parry. It looked like Cheshire ended the game at 9:31 when Devin Kelly made Conard pay for a turnover in his own defensive zone. He was ahead of Murphy and the puck slid to his stick, he spun and hit with a low shot to make it 4-2.

Conard goalkeeper Brendan Murphy makes a save against Cheshire. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

But McGoldrick and Emery still had some magic left. They teamed with Holden Patrissi to get the puck onto McGoldrick’s stick and his wrister put the Red Wolves on target with just under five minutes left.

Olson opted to pull his goalie Murphy just under a minute from the end to put the extra attacker on the ice. With 42.5 seconds left, Emery dragged the puck around and through a mob of players before firing a shot to the top shelf to level the game and send the home crowd into a frenzy.

Brady Narus cuts in on goal. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

“The intensity got better and we improved our shots every period,” Olson said. “Every season we allowed fewer shots.”

After a brief pause, the two sides faced each other at 8:00 a.m. in overtime, but Emery sent the home fans home happily – and early – when he picked up a loose puck just above the left faceoff circle run by a defender , and fired his shot to finish it 5-4.

Conard players celebrate Aiden Emery’s OT winner over Cheshire 5-4 @WeHartford @CHSWHathletics pic.twitter.com/NTiYbvkfHS

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“Aiden was incredible for us,” said his coach. “He’s got the hands and the punches to do it.”

For Conard it was the second win in the first three games. They fell to Newington – last year’s Division III champions – and then beat TriTown 11-1 last time out before beating Cheshire. “This game showed what kind of character we have,” Olson said after the win.

Next up for Conard is a Boxing Day duel with the undefeated Hall at 11:00 a.m. in Veterans.

Torin McGoldrick (5) and Nolan Trent work behind the gate. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

Conard’s teammates congratulate Aiden Emery on his OT game win. Conard vs. Cheshire Boys Hockey. December 21, 2022. Credit: Paul Palmer

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