RUTLAND — The Middlebury Union High School boys’ hockey team on Dec. 23 defeated host Rutland, 5-0, to remain unbeaten at 5-0-1 heading into three home games this week. Entering this week, Woodstock (5-0) was the only other undefeated team in Division II.
The Tigers are set to play two games vs. New York teams at the Memorial Sports Center in their annual holiday tournament, against Northeast Clinton on Wednesday and Lake Placid on Thursday. Those games were played after the early holiday deadline for this edition of the Independent.
D-II rival Burlington will visit on Saturday at 7 p.m., and the Tigers will play D-II rivals U-32 and Burr & Burton on the road next week.
This past Wednesday, D-I Rutland outshot the Tigers, 33-13, but goalie Doug DeLorenzo worked a 33-save shutout and the Tigers took charge with three goals in the first period on the way to a 5-0 victory. Colton Leno scored unassisted in the second minute, Henry Hodde made it 2-0 in the 12th minute from Tyler Crowningshield, and Leno struck again at 13:23 from Crowningshield and Hodde.
After a scoreless second period, Leno beat Raider goalie Doug Mandel (eight saves) at 8:34 for his first career hat trick, with Jake Peluso and Crowningshield assisting, and Andrew Gleason added the final goal, with Brett Viens picking up the helper