Falcon Playoff Run Ends at One

Check out our highlight package from the game here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEmLTxnYS5w

The Falcons played in an MIAA playoff game for the second time in as many years on Thursday. But through the first four years of the DR/Seekonk co-op program, the team is still looking for its first playoff victory.

Norwell High’s Clippers met the Falcons at Armstrong Arena in Plymouth on Thursday, and Norwell proved to be the stronger team, winning 4-0. “Are you kidding me? This is hockey town,” one Falcon fan said after the game.

Dighton-Rehoboth, by many accounts, actually played one of their best games of the year. Through the first 35 minutes of the game, Norwell’s Aidan Roach had the only goal, one worthy of Sportscenter. Roach streaked down the right wing, turning Luke Allison inside out as he went, and then roofed the puck in a puck-sized hole over Jake Roy’s right shoulder.

Coach Ryan Cordeiro started Roy in net over Jake Robitaille, who had an identical record on the season. “Besides picking the name for my son, that was the hardest choice I ever had to make,” said Cordeiro, who let his decision wait until three and a half hours before game time. The coach said he has no reservation about the decision, “I’m so proud of Jake Roy.”

The Falcon defense fell apart in the late stages, largely because Cordeiro felt the need to lean on his top two lines. “That’s the difference between their (Norwell’s) hockey and our hockey,” said Cordeiro, indicating that Norwell’s depth was far superior.

Cam Roach scored on a pass from Aidan Roach five minutes into the third period to make it 2-0 Clippers. If that goal did not signal the end of the Falcons’ season, a questionable penalty call a few minutes later certainly did. Nick Soares was called for boarding Brian Fisher, who had his back to the boards at the time of the hit. While nothing in the rulebook prohibits a boarding call in such a situation, the rule is seldom applied to a play where the victim of a check is facing away from the boards. After this penalty was called, the Clippers added a pair of tallies from Fisher and James Daly.

The Falcons will graduate a number of important players this summer. Jake Roy will move on, but his replacement seems certain in Robitaille. Roy spoke about leaving the program he has been with since the beginning, “It sucks. I was here when it started.”

Aside from Roy, Casey Escobar and Luke Allison are two other major subtractions heading into next season. The two best defensemen from this year’s squad, their absences will be felt as the young program looks to rebuild its defensive corps.