York Hockey Club’s junior varsity team played host to the DuPage Stars High School Club, a team of the best players from Downers Grove South, Downers Grove North and Hinsdale South High Schools, on Friday October 3rd.  The Dukes easily defeated the Stars 11-2 to improve York’s Illinois High School Hockey League West Division record to 3-0 and the club’s overall record to 7-2-0.

“The team looked good tonight,” said sophomore Scott Blair. “But we can still play better. I know I could have done more.”

York grabbed control of the game early in the first period when sophomore defenseman Dominic Gatti found fellow sophomore Matt Davis with a pass in the offensive zone. Davis circled to the top of the slot and beat the Stars goalie with a hard wrist shot to take the lead. Moments later junior Zach Johnson scored an unassisted short-hand goal.

Later in the first period the Dukes exhibited patience and control as the team effectively cycled the puck in the offensive zone looking for another offensive opportunity. Freshman Jake McCreadie passed the puck to freshman Matt Shepherd who dropped the puck back to sophomore defenseman A.J. Orlando. The defenseman wound-up and took a slap shot from the point that the Stars goalie could not stop. 

Johnson then scored three consecutive unassisted goals.

Midway through the second period freshman Ethan Horne passed the puck to Thomas Albin who put a strong shot on net that Johnson deflected in for his fifth goal of the game.

Freshman Joseph Calzante scored on an assist by Mark Fielen then Davis assisted on a goal by sophomore Anthony Trankina.

In the third period Calzante scored his second goal of the game before McCreadie capped the victory with York’s eleventh goal on an assist by Trankina.

Freshman goalie Shane Cassidy held the Stars in check all night to earn the victory for the Dukes.

York Hockey Club’s next game is October 10th against Naperville North at Addison Ice Arena.