WEST SPRINGFIELD ― In the preseason, Minnechaug focused on two main things: team depth and competitiveness on the ice.
Ahead of the Falcons’ season opener against Taconic, those two factors were put to the test.
On Friday night, Minnechaug not only lived up to the expectations but showcased pure dominance while doing so.
The Falcons tallied 12 total goals against the Thunder, with eight different players contributing to the scoring frenzy.
Minnechaug also held Taconic scoreless, as the goalkeeper pairing of Chase Folli (two saves), Matt Lafley (three saves), and the Falcons’ defensive unit kept their net clean to further seal the 12-0 victory at Olympia Ice Center.
“It’s just the depth,” Minnechaug coach Kyle Bousquet said. “We have depth this year, which is something that we haven’t always had, so it’s nice to be able to have four lines that can contribute… Today was a team effort all around. Everybody contributed; everybody who stepped on the ice did something positive.
“We know what we have in terms of guys who can produce, and I think it’s just every line competing. Every time we step on the ice is an opportunity for us to get better as a team.”
The Falcons kicked off the scoring with their first goal scored only 30 seconds into the game. Three and a half minutes later, Minnechaug notched another one.
And from there, the floodgates opened.
In the first period alone, the Falcons netted eight goals out of their total.
Minnechaug’s offense did not let up once, no matter what the current lineup was out on the ice. The Falcons played four different lines throughout the game, and each one succeeded in adding a tally to the scoreboard.
When a team can produce like Minnechaug did, especially with it being so early in the season, Bousquet explained how it shows, “you’re moving in the right direction.”
Bousquet also noted how the Falcons are a more experienced team this time around, with 13 upperclassmen on the roster. And how it was the presence of many veteran players influenced the outcome of the game.
In fact, all five of Minnechaug’s seniors chalked up at least one goal in the contest. One of whom was senior captain Jake Moore, who led the Falcons in scoring with a hat trick.
“(Moore’s) been with us for four years and he’s a leader in that room,” Bousquet said. “He’s a voice on the team, and for him to come out first game and put up three goals like that is huge. He performs, and everyone else follows. We got a lot of leaders in that room, (Moore’s) earned his seat.
“But it’s good to see him get a hat trick.”
Along with Moore, Dominic Fiorentino and Kelly Balog were the other two players to score multiple goals as they each snagged two.
Brody Faneuff, Enzo Hrycay, Ryan Semanie, Anthony Garib, and Nick Garib each tallied one to round out the scoring credits.
JJ Schneider stopped 30-of-42 shots faced in a losing effort for Taconic.
Another key factor for Minnechaug was that while they did not let up on its offensive pressure, they also did not become selfish with the puck. With different lines in and out, every player on the Falcons helped create opportunities for their teammates.
Rather than focus on themselves, which was a big reason why Minnechaug eclipsed double-digit scoring.
Last year, the most goals the Falcons scored were five. Now, in their first game of the season, they’ve more than doubled that mark.
This is also the highest scoring total for Minnechaug since the 2020-21 season, when the Falcons netted 13 against Agawam.
With a performance like this now under Minnechaug’s belt, all they can do is look ahead with hopes of building on it.
“I think if we just continue to come with the same mindset every game that we have the guys in the room to get it done, and everyone’s just ready for when they step on the ice to work as a unit,” Bousquet said. “We did that tonight, and hopefully we can continue it for the rest of the season.”
Next up for the Falcons is a league matchup against Ludlow on Tuesday, Dec. 16. The game will be played back inside Olympia Ice Center, with puck drop at 8:30 p.m.
“It’s just another opportunity for us to grow as a group,” Bousquet said, “and we look forward to the next one.”
