HIGH SCHOOL GAME OF THE WEEK: BRIGHTON/HFL VS. WEBSTER THOMAS
Jan 29, 2024For the past few months, the Rochester Americans have been front and center on the local high school hockey scene as part of a weekly series featuring the latest news and notes, scores and stats of select Section V games around the Greater Rochester Area.
This week’s High School Game of the Week pits the Webster Thomas Titans (8-6-0) hosting the Brighton/HFL Bruins (4-11-0) on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at Webster Ice Arena.
The Titans, who have won four of their last five games since the start of 2024 calendar year, are eyeing a season sweep over the Bruins after securing a 5-2 victory back on Dec. 22. The win was Webster Thomas’ first after dropping a 4-2 score during the 2022-23 campaign and a 4-4 tie in 2021-22.
Webster Thomas has scored three or more goals in each of its eight wins. Conversely, the club has been held to one or fewer markers in all but one of its losses this season.
Of the 23 skaters this season for Webster Thomas, 14 different Titans have scored at least one goal while 18 have notched a point.
Ryan Goel tops all Titans in both assists (10) and points (10) while he shares the team lead in goals (8) with Cam Hall as each has skated in 14 games. Trevor Veno (14), Lucas Nuccitelli (10) and Hall (10) join Goel as the four Titans to reach double figures in points.
Goaltender Michael Nappi has taken the reigns after appearing in three games in his first two seasons with the program. Nappi shows an 8-6-0 record to go with one shutout and a 2.79 goals-against average in 14 games.
Fellow goaltenders Aaron Bushart and Brody Camp have yet to make their season debuts for the Titans.
Webster Thomas is led by head coach David Evans and assistant coaches Zack Wolfe and Jason Vent.
Brighton/HFL is looking to snap its seven-game losing skid dating back to Dec. 19, over which they have been outscored 27-20. They started the 2023-24 campaign having won three of their first four games, all by one-score decisions.
The Bruins have been paced offensively by Emmet Landt and Patrick Rohr as they show 16 and 12 points, respectively. Landt also tops the team in goals (13) in 14 contests while Rohr has eight helpers in 15 games. Besides Landt and Rohr, Liam Lawrence, Grant Peinkopfer, Matthew Brassie and Carson Meehan all have found the back of the opposition’s net this season.
Ryan Hurwitz has handled all the goaltending duties this season for Bruins as he owns a 4-11-0 record in 15 appearances. The fourth-year netminder has made 511 saves while also showing a .889 save percentage.
Head coach Brendon Rothfuss leads the Bruins while CJ Buchta, Chris Luker, Kyle Rothfuss, and Nick Mauro serve as assistant coaches.
Following Tuesday’s matchup, Webster Thomas will usher in the final month of the season with a 4:00 p.m. face-off against Churchville-Chili on Thursday, Feb. 1 at Scottsville Arena. Brighton/HFL, meanwhile, takes on Pittsford on Friday, Feb. 2 for a 5:00 p.m. contest at Genesee Valley.