Titans Clash in Annual Student-Teacher Hockey Game

By: Izabela Pitula
Photo Credit: Fadi Jameel

On Friday, February 20th, it was a perfect day for a hockey game at the River Oaks arena between HT's teachers and students. Every year, our Titans put regular competition aside as they face the staff in a fun event with all the buyout proceeds going to build a house in Jamaica. 

When the Titan fans filled the stands, the game began. Both teams started off with great pressure which resulted in some scoring chances, but both goalies showed many impressive saves. Steve Farano opened the scoring for the students in the first period. A short time after that, Michael Ferrari gave the young ones a 2-0 lead. The first period was very interesting as the students showed passion and love for the game with some nifty moves. It all seemed as if the students would have a big lead after the first period, but with two minutes left to play, the teachers responded with a comeback. Mr. Consoli scored a rebound goal after Gironda came out for the padstack to get his team on the board. The senior hockey coach reminded us of NHL legend Tiger Williams with his goal celebration. At the end of the first 15 minutes of play, it was 2-1 for the students. 

A few minutes into the second frame, the teachers evened things up at 2 with a goal from Mr. Leonard. Both teams showed more pressure as the teachers tried to come up with the lead for the first time in this game. The veterans made some penalty-worthy plays, but the official- Mr. Camilletti- let them go. In the middle of the second period, student-teacher Mr. Ryan replaced Reed Watson in goal for the staff. Minutes later, Watson switched teams and replaced Michael Gironda in net for the students. With three minutes to go in the period, Steve Farano took an opportunity and tested out Mr. Ryan. He took a slapshot that hit the back of the net, putting the students back on top as he got his second goal of the game. After two periods of play, it was 3-2 for the students. 

With a quick water break, the teams were back at centre ice. With a fast back and forth pace, the teachers took the puck and drove to Watson's crease. The goalie stopped it as the play was called offside. Mr. Perosevic tied it up with a quick shot off the draw to make it a 3-3 tie. A few minutes later, Mr. MacPherson put one home to give the teachers their first lead of the game, but literally seconds later, Jack Copeland answered back to make it a 4-4 tie again. When the third period came to an end, the officials decided to skip the overtime and start the shootouts right away. 

The students shot first; Tyler Bowie had a chance to put the boys in a shootout lead, but he missed the net. Next up, it was Mr. MacPherson's turn, but the goalies' pads stopped the flying puck. Student captain Patrick Enman was up next for the students, but he was denied also. The shootout was still scoreless until... 

Mr. Sottana was next for teachers' team as he scored a Patrick Kane-esque goal...

Next, it was Austin Seaver's turn as he matched the move of the previous player. It was then 1-1 in the shootout. The head coach of the boys' hockey team was up next; Mr. Consoli shot the puck straight into Gironda's glove. Michael Ferrari was put up next to the test to take the lead against the teachers. He beat the goalie and the students were again on top... 

It was Mr. Grace's turn to try to score and keep his team alive, but Gironda stopped him and clinched the win for the students.  

The final score was 5-4 for the students who won the game in a shootout. It was a fun event with a great cause to support "Hockey Day in Jamaica". Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer and support the teams. Congrats to the students for winning the game as it was a tight battle from both sides, but obviously the best team won. Come on out to future hockey events to support the HT Titans! 

Following the game, Titan Times reporter D'Arcy Murphy caught up with Mr. Consoli, who had this to say after the loss to his students: "It feels really bad... We don't teach shootouts, unfortunately, and they beat us." He added that "the teachers were completely out of gas so playing an overtime was out of the question- it had to be shootouts." When asked how the teachers picked their shooters, he said "mostly by looks, that's why Gracie (Mr. Grace) shot last. He's the best looking teacher on staff." Mr. Consoli concluded the interview by predicting the scoreline for next year's game: "most undoubtedly a teacher romp of about 7-3."

We'll see if Mr. Consoli's prediction comes true next year, but in the meantime, on Monday, February 23rd, the senior boys' hockey team takes on Notre Dame in the preliminary round of the Halton championships! We wish the boys best of luck as they fight for a win and a further playoff run! As always, LETS GO TITANS!!!