By Dave Diamond
Hockey games are seldom out of reach less than two minutes into the second period. Thanks to Pride defenseman Brian Manolakes, Saturday’s 10-3 blowout of Fairfield University was virtually over less than half way through.
Manolakes completed a hat trick just 1:31 into the second period keeping the Pride (12-0-0-1 MCHC) undefeated during regulation, and passing the Stags (11-2-1-1 MCHC) for second in the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference.
While each team traded scoring chances during the first 12 minutes, Manolakes began the onslaught. At 7:56, Manolakes found an open lane and blasted a shot into the upper left corner to open the scoring and give the Pride a 1-0 lead.
The goal capped a momentum shift the Pride after goaltender George Lorenz made a spectacular left leg save only two minutes before. Four minutes after taking the lead, Fairfield scored on its final odd man break of the game, a two-on-one rush goal past a diving Lorenz to tie it at 1.
Judging from the minutes that followed, the Pride had entertained the idea of a close game for long enough.
It appeared the Pride had taken a 2-1 lead midway through the first when Manolakes pinched from his defensive position and scored. However, the goal was disallowed due to an offside call.
At 15:29, Manolakes answered right back to break the tie for good, and net his second of the game.
Manolakes continued in the next period, completing his scoring spree at 1:31 of the second, converting a pass from behind the net by junior Vin Kelly.
Once the few hats were cleared off the ice, the Pride trademark defense took over and opened up scoring chances while allowing virtually no offensive attack from Fairfield.
Leading 4-1 midway through the second period, Vin Kelly would make the most impressive play of the game.
After battling for a loose puck in the right corner, Kelly powered to the net, puck-handled through two defenders and backhanded past the Stags’ goaltender for a 5-1 lead. Kelly would score once more in the second.
Junior goalie Chris Dasti replaced Lorenz for the rest of the game and held down the fort in the third period, allowing only two goals over 28 minutes.
The 10-3 rout was a very impressive team victory, but there is no doubt that Manolakes was the catalyst.
“He’s been the glue that has held us together,” head coach John Ferrara said. “He does it all.” As Manolakes walked by during the coach’s interview, Ferrara awarded him the game puck. “Moving him from forward to defense has been the key to this season. There aren’t many guys who play the kind of game he plays,” Ferrara added
Being the quintessential team player, Manolakes gave his teammates the credit for his success.
“The reason I get open so much is because our forwards generate so much offense down low,” Manolakes said. “Our forwards have ‘eyes in the back of their heads’.” Admitting he was touched by his coaches comments, Brian quickly dodged the “me first” attitude. “I would be nothing without this team. I can’t do anything out there without the other four guys on the ice and our goalie,” he said.
With Manolakes’ number six flying around the ice, the defense and goaltending as solid as ever, and the playoffs approaching, it appears as though the Pride is firing on all cylinders at the right time.