The defending state champion New Trier Green played their annual charity game against Loyola Gold this past Saturday. This game raised money for the Cardiac Care Unit at Lurie Children’s Hospital. New Trier Green cruised past Loyola by a score of 4-2.

Green got off to a fast start as Spencer Lifvendahl scored ten seconds into the first period courtesy of Danny Pugliese. After Loyola evened it up moments later, Green would retake the lead on a wrist shot from Mac Zelazny to round out the first period scoring.

Goaltender Preston Watt, who led the defensive effort, commented on the strong start and the early goal scoring.

“We were a little bit nervous coming out, but we put a puck in 10 seconds in and that really helped us out. Big play by [Danny] Pugliese on the goal. After that we just got rolling and didn’t stop.”

After tying it up early in the second period, Green would score two goals within fifteen seconds of one another. The first came from Daniel Budington and the second, a point blast from captain Brian Dolby, was assisted by forward Graeme Paul.

After this defensive breakdown, Loyola would change goaltenders. Midway through the period, Green would get a five on three power play, which although did not yield any goals, continued the offensive onslaught of shots by Green.

Paul described the momentum shift after the scoring explosion as “awesome.”

“The team really wanted to work to preserve the lead and stay back while being physical. Our breakout was looking great in the third period, so we needed to just keep the pick out of our zone and we did a great job of it.”

Green would increase its physicality in the third with big men Trent Kadin and John Kane leading the hit carousel. Kadin explained the increase in hitting after the second intermission was instrumental in the change in physicality.

“We got a big energy boost during the intermission. Our captain Brian Dolby fires the whole team up and his energy is just infectious and gets everybody else going working their butts off,” said Kadin. “[Physicality] is part of the season. We have games week after week and tournaments weekend after weekend and you just have to get your body in it.”

The remainder of the period was full of chances but no conversions, as Watt backstopped the victory with a 26 save performance.

Dolby went into the game confident about the offensive nature of Green against Loyola, especially due to Loyola’s goaltending issues.

“We put up 13 against them in the spring, and we knew if we put up shots on him we would dominate the game,” said Dolby. “We got the first goal and kept rolling; and after the goaltending switch, we did the same thing. We needed to get a presence below the goal line, and that is exactly what we did.”