Few clubs come into each season with loftier expectations than the Mamaroneck hockey team. As one of the premier programs in the area, the Tigers enter each season with aspirations of contending for a Section I crown. With a strong core of returning players, those goals are no different this year, and two out-of-section wins to start the winter campaign should be an encouraging sign for the Mamaroneck skaters.
Mamaroneck officially kicked off the season with two wins at the Bethlehem Tournament in Albany over the weekend, beating host Bethlehem 2-0 on Nov. 26 and topping Burnt Hills 6-1 on Saturday afternoon. Despite the logistical difficulties of competing in the tournament—Covid protocols barred the Tigers from staying in Albany overnight, prompting long bus rides to-and-from the tourney site each day—head coach Mike Chiapparelli was happy with the play of his team early on.
“Obviously the kids who are back know our systems and are playing them pretty well, and the younger kids are learning,” he said. “They’re working really hard at it, but unfortunately the state took a week away from us, so we really only had this week and last week to put things in.”
With 13 returners and nine newcomers, the Tigers will be anchored by a host of talented veterans, including Matt Montoni, who accounted for both goals against Bethlehem and added another goal and an assist in Saturday’s tilt against Burnt Hills.
“Montoni is a hell of a scorer and a hell of a player,” said Chiapparelli. “He also does a really good job defensively.”
All told, the Tigers shined offensively over the two-game stretch, tallying 74 shots on goal while allowing just 45. Goalie Max Baker, who notched 25 saves in Friday’s shutout will also be relied on heavily this season, added Chiapparelli.
“Baker’s ready to go, he’s a solid goaltender,” said the head coach. “I think that with Baker and then Montoni and [four-year player] Riku Takaya, we are going to be very strong up the middle this year.”
The Tigers— itching to make it back to the Division I finals this year after suffering consecutive season-ending losses to ETBE—will be tested significantly right out of the gate this year with a number of high-profile games scheduled before the winter pause. Mamaroneck will open up its Section I schedule against Division II powerhouse Rye on Dec. 3, before taking on ETBE, Rye Country Day, Suffern and Scarsdale in a 12-day span.
“I think you’re going to see our defense start our offense early on because we have three returning kids who know what they’re doing,” said Chiapparelli. “I think that’s going to be our strength.”
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