Still in quest of elusive 'W'

Ever so close...

That was the collective feeling of coaches, players and fans of the Shepaug Valley High School co-op ice hockey team Jan. 27 as it departed the Linen Rink at Gunnery School following a 3-2 overtime loss to Masuk.

Coach Mike Gorra's Spartans, fielding players from Region 12, Nonnewaug and Wamogo, nearly broke their long winless skein that evening.

An overtime goal by Masuk's David Reid cost the local skaters the chance at victory, yet not before the Spartans had distinguished themselves with a strong effort.

"We were the better team overall, but two mistakes in the first five minutes was the difference," said coach Gorra, who reminded anyone in earshot, "we kept them scoreless for 45 minutes."

The Spartans outshot the Panthers, 23-15, during the second, third and overtime periods.

Tyler Smith converted a second-period feed from Clayton Ambler to cut a 2-0 deficit in half and he added an unassisted goal in the third stanza to deadlock the match.

"We just didn't get the bounce," he said. "It was very exciting for the players and the coaches to be in a game again."

Goaltender Peter Dauten shrugged off a couple of early Masuk goals to turn aside 32 of 35 Panther shots on net.

The Spartans proceeded to lose ensuing games to Joel Barlow, 8-4, neighboring New Milford, 6-0, and Horace Greeley (N.Y.), 9-1, but coach Gorra is still confident strides are being made by the program, which added numerous players from Nonnewaug this winter.

"The team is starting to gel," he said. "It takes a long time to incorporate another school since the kids don't see each other at lunch, in the hallways, in class.

"It takes longer to create that bond," said the veteran bench boss. "We are looking forward to the final weeks of the season."

Six matches remained for the 0-13-1 Spartans as they played the Danbury/Bethel/Brookfield co-op team on Wednesday.

The local sextet will welcome Newtown to The Gunnery this evening (Friday) for a 9:05 p.m. faceoff.