Though the Dartmouth High School ice hockey team had a 3-1 lead against Old Rochester Regional High School, a number of mistakes would push the game into overtime as the two teams battled to break the 4-4 tie. 

Less than two minutes into overtime, Senior Aidan Cruz scored the winning goal of the game.

“It was mostly number nine and number 11,” Cruz said after the game. “I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, so they did it all.”

Considering the Saturday, Dec. 14 game overall, he said, “It was packed, it was fun and we ultimately came out with a win as a team.”

Though happy for the win, Head Coach Mark Rossi was unsatisfied with performance due to a number of mistakes made in the game, including the numerous penalties that were racked up by both teams.

He also noted issues with fumbling the puck, missing the play and making a wrong pass: “We just have to clean that up because we paid each time that we made those mistakes.”

Looking ahead to this season, Rossi said the team is taking it one game at a time and a win isn’t a bad way to kick it off.

“I’m glad that at the end of the day, we were able to walk out with a win,” he said. “It was a lot closer than I would have liked to see — that’s for sure — but we’ll catch them again halfway through the season.”

The team is largely underclassmen this year, with only four seniors, but Rossi said, “I think the team is pretty well gelled together. We all do have a common goal.”

Sophomore Francis Long said he’s been playing hockey since he was four years old, having been introduced to the sport by his family. 

Long added he loves the environment of hockey and being with his friends.

He said Saturday’s performance wasn’t the team’s best and he’d like to see everyone working together a bit more. 

“We have a lot of things to grow on,” Long said. “I think there’s a lot of potential, a lot of skill on the team and I think it’s going to be a good season.”