By: Fraser Vaughn @stingraysbeatwriter / CapeCodStingrays.com
April 12th, 2023
New Bedford, Mass. – The first full week of the Inaugural Season is in the books, and it didn’t go the Stingray’s way. Cape Cod finished the first week with a 1-3-0 record losing three straight tough battles before getting their first win of the campaign on Saturday. Led by Albert Lager (5 assists) and Neale Pollak (3 goals), the Stingrays are looking to get back on track in Week 2.
On Monday the Stingrays battled hard in Denver but lost to the Bandits 2-1, allowing two unanswered goals in the third. The lone goal came from Kayden Lawless (1) while Channing Jerome (0-1-0) was stellar, stopping 30 of 32 shots. Cape Cod had to hit the red eye and travel across the country to Maine and take on division rivals the Maine Mighty Moose the next day. Another tough battle for the Stingrays and three goals from the Mighty Moose in the third period put the Stingrays at 0-2. Pollak scored twice with two assists from Lager while Svyatoslav Nikushkin (0-1-0) stopped 24 of 30 shots. Friday night was opening night in New Bedford, Massachusetts at Nantucket Arena where the Stingrays took on the Seattle Samurai. Cape Cod came out flying scoring two goals in the first period by Kayden Lawless (2) and German Tabanov (1). Seattle responded scoring three unanswered in the final 40 minutes to take the win and put the Stingrays at 0-3. Channing Jerome (0-2-0) stopped 19 of 22 shots. Cape Cod hosted the Miami Trident the following night for the last game of the week. Four goals in the final 40 minutes gave the Stingrays their first win of the season. Led by Ashton Thomson (2) who had two goals, Lager who had another two assists, and goals from Pollak (3), Sondre Risoy (1), and Tom Folke (1). Channing Jerome (1-2-0) was strong again, stopping 27 of 30 shots. The week was not all lost, the Stingrays were strong on the penalty kill, going six for six in four games.
For Week 2, Cape Cod has another four-game schedule, including a rematch with the Bandits and Mighty Moose and two games against in-state rivals the Massachusetts Militia.
4/10: @ Maine Mighty Moose
4/11: vs. Massachusetts Militia
4/13: @ Denver Bandits
4/14: @ Massachusetts Militia
Cape Elizabeth, Maine – Unlike the pro team, the Cape Elizabeth Schooners came out flying in the opening week of the season. The Schooners took down the Scranton Kindle 5-3, the Syracuse Comets 3-1, and the Derry Unicorns 4-0. The Schooners were led by defenseman Kaj Spets (2-2-4), and defenseman Johnny Leclair (1-3-4), while goaltender Jensen Pettersson won two games, shutting out the Unicorns.
Week 2 includes a four-game week that includes rematches with the Comets and two games against the Kindle.
4/10: vs. Scranton Kindle
4/12: @ Syracuse Comets
4/13: vs. Scranton Kindle
4/15: @ Syracuse Comets