By Mike Dougherty
LARCHMONT – Griffin Tutun isn’t likely to fill up a box score or fill out a uniform, but in those games where taking care of the little things can make all the difference, the undersized forward has come up big for Rye time and time again.
He’s in every corner every shift.
Tutun led the charge and spent untold calories Tuesday at Hommocks Park Ice Rink annoying Pelham with the intensity of a tag-along little brother. It was a virtuoso performance that helped the Garnets hang a disheartening 3-2 loss on their biggest rival.
It’s been four years since Rye last celebrated a win in the heated series.
“Toots is like an Energizer Bunny out there,” Garnets defenseman Jason Chin said. “He’s not big. He’s got to make up for that in other ways, so he’s working hard every shift. It gives us so much energy, and if we’re down, he picks us right up.”
He set a proper tone, refusing to let the Pelicans grab the early momentum.
“The game was just unbelievable,” Tutun said. “I was just flying with all my teammates, doing whatever I could do to help the team win. We had a lot of heart. We had a lot of drive. Everyone chipped in. We were going to win this game from the start.”
So when the skates come off, how tall is he?
“I’m like 5-foot-5,” Tutun said. “And that may be generous.”
Truth be told, he isn’t clearing the height minimum that allows riders to climb on the Dragon Coaster by much.
Pelham (10-5-2) was poised to strike early, but could not get one past Aiden Talgo, who finished with 20 saves. The game drew a sizable crowd, which got loud when Cal Hynson skated in with a turnover and gave Rye (15-4-1) a 1-0 lead with 4:17 to go in the first period.
“We were coming out of the locker room saying, ‘First goal is the most important of the entire game. We gotta get it,’ ” Hynson said. “They had a bad turnover at the blue line. I picked up the puck and went in with Jack (O’Brien), but I knew I had it so I went five-hole and got it in.”
The defending Section 1 Division 2 champions looked a little surprised.
“We turned the puck over and they capitalized,” Pelicans coach Ed Witz said. “They played a very, very good game. They deserve all the credit. They were able to neutralize us. They took away the middle of the ice and we had way too many of our guys getting stripped. We were over-handling the puck. And they kept taking it and throwing it back in, taking it and throwing it back in.”
A nasty slap shot from the point by Jason Chin whistled in with 7:16 to play, giving Rye a 2-0 edge with 7:26 to go in the second period. Connor McGovern pushed in a rebound three minutes later to extend the lead.
Pelham suddenly got smart and closed the gap when Andrew Dzenis and Will Donovan scored, making it a one-goal deficit with four minutes to play.
“We learned that if we take off a couple of shifts we can get buried,” Pelicans forward Andrew Schauer said. “And sometimes it’s too far to come back even if we play a fantastic third period like we did. No matter what happens, we’re always going to be hearing about this night.”
The Garnets had to withstand a fierce push around the net in the final minutes to preserve a win that likely locked up a No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs.
“I kept saying, ‘Keep working. Keep working. Don’t let up,’ ” Hynson said. “We let up for just a little bit and they got that one goal, then one more. We were able to hold them off, though.”
And in the middle of the commotion, was Tutun.
“He’s one of the best grinders I’ve ever played with,” Hynson said. “He may be small, but he gets it done. He will do whatever he’s got to do to win.”
It wasn’t muscle that kept the puck out at the end, it was perseverance.
“We were really close,” Schauer said. “There were guys behind the net without any sticks, and somehow they ice the puck and that was it. “
There is a chance the two favorites could meet with a Section 1 title on the line in two weeks.
“It was a great game,” Chin said. “The atmosphere is unlike anything else. I didn’t think we’d get to experience it this year without Playland, but this was unreal, the best game I’ve ever played in.”
16 Comments
Great night at Hommocks last night. Incredible electricity half hour before puck was dropped. Game was fast paced and exciting for three periods. Once Pelham cut the lead to 3-2, most people felt Pelicans would find way to pull it out. Furious finish and players on both teams just left it all out there. Big win for Rye last night; you just have to think that a rematch in the playoffs next week will be a classic. looking forward to the possibility.
Agreed RR. That kind of excitement as the regular season winds down will make for great playoffs. Hats off to Rye as they worked hard and deserved win. Pelham closed very strong but ran out of time. Im sure they realize now what it will take to go deep into playoffs, total team effort for 3 periods. If they play the way they’re coached, Pelicans could soar.
First about the game- Great one for the fans and players. Nice, packed atmosphere at the neutral site 1/2 way between the two schools. Everyone knew Pelham would bring it in the third. They have come from behind a bunch this season; from pulling the goalie to tie Qburry, to the frantic ending against New Ro, to the late goals to beat Ithaca. I probably missed others. The Pelicans are very deep up front and often have a little more late energy than do their opponents. Rye’s speed advantage created more odd man rushes while Pelham’s size advantage gave them more cycle time in Rye’s zone. Both teams had periods of dominant play. Rye just capitalized more often than did Pelham.
Next about the comparison of the two teams- I think the difference last nite was the goaltending. Rye’s netminder was a little more composed. Not saying the Pelican tender didn’t come up big. He did. Just thought Rye’s guy was more steady. Regarding the blueline, Cullen showed why he is a top POTY candidate. Almost everything Peham does goes thru him. But, Rye’s senior trio of Chin, Lipari and Bresolin gives the Garnets more depth back there. Up front, not many teams in the state can compete with Pelham’s depth. But, the top end forward talent of both teams is very similar (Hynson,Tutun, McGovern match up wll with Schaur, Donovan, Morgan). And all those guys save Morgan are back next year.
Finally about the DII playoffs- I bet last nite’s fans would love to see a rematch a week from Sunday at BIA for the title. And if both eams play thru the playoffs like they did last nite, that is the most likely finals match. But, it’s not just the Pelham/Rye show in DII this season. There are 5 very solid teams and a bunch of others capable of an upset or two. You can’t take anyone lightly in the playoffs, especially this year. Rye has played the other 4 top DII contenders (going 3-0-1). If you don’t count the empty netters, all 4 games were ties or 1 goal games. The DII playoffs will be a war.
There is nothing wrong with some tainted analysis of section one results, after all this is a blog.
Have to give props to Postman for ranting before the game not after. Put himself out there and wasn’t hiding in the comforts of his own home. My guess is that his driveway is “heated”. Bigby just lives near a neighborhood that has them.
Classy move by FOTG by ignoring Postmans “post” after gaining the upper hand. I’d like to suggest that FOTG has every right to seize the moment, I’m sure Postman expects him to do so. This is the section one hockey blog and Class has nothing to do with it.
good analysis fotg without the biased for a change. On Ryes side they played an intelligent game with no penaltys or key turnovers, on Pelhams side if they played the first two periods like they played the third it could have been a huge margin Pelham win. I have not seen Rye get dominated like they did in the third last night. Too little too late for Pelham though
I have not commented until now…just letting it ‘flesh out”. I have to comment on the last entry though. Yes Pelham did play well in the 3rd period and almost pulled it out. But to say that “IF” Pelham played like they played in the 3rd period they would have one going away. WELL THEY DIDN’T!!!
The play in the 3rd period was Rye (and I believe mistakenly) tried to run the clock down sort of like the infuriating “prevent defense” one sees in football. You can’t take anything from that. I’ll take the first two periods as more indicative.What “IF” Rye had their by far best player on the Ice WELL THEY DIDN’T!
That said I still think Pelham is a sleightly better team and would put my money (not big money mind you) on them to advance to the state show.
Without Benny, a 10 game set between Rye and Pel goes something like 5-3-2 Pelham. But, Pelham has to go thru something like Scarsdale (who might be getting top players back for the playoffs) and Jay (who is relatively untested, but pretty darn good) at BIA while Rye gets something like HH and Greeley at whatever they call home these days (hopefully Hommocks where they are 2-0 vs. Mamo and Pelham). Based on that, I would put the DII Sectional Champ odds at:
Pelham: 2-1
Rye: 2-1
Jay: 3-1
Greeley: 4-1
Scarsdale: 5-1
It looked to me like the more skilled players on Pelhams roster were trying to skate the puck through the Rye players. Even though Rye was ahead 1-0 at the end of the first and 3-0 at the end of the second Pelham was controlling the puck more but did not score, which is a credit to Ryes team play. Ryes goalie was very good and a difference maker
@obsessive
Was thinking just like you on that 9:51 entry. The “IF” scenario—ridiculous. I fully subscribe to the “but DIDN’T” or “but DID” analysis.
Ryen simply used their superior speed to limit Pelham in the first 2 periods from waht ! saw. They were much more motivated then I’ve seen them in a while.
the 3rd period Rye played on their heels and almost let it slip away. This played right into Pelhams hands. It always amazes me how teams will play a certain way and then play differently while protecting a lead!!?? All this does is allow the opponant to gain rhythm and feel momentum!
Pelham has more depth and the only way Rye beats them is to play the type of game they played for 3 periods and not let Pelham gain Momentum and of course their Goaltending must be as good. Pelham gets an early lead and gets their mojo going they win period!
If they meet in the finals I go with Pelham in a heated, entertaining nailbiter!
Congrats FOTG, Great win by Rye! I have nothing to say..
Postman- Thanks for the good wishes. But, it’s the team that deserves all the credit. The Garnets have had a few uninspiring games along the way this season, but have played well in the big ones. Really sorry Rye didn’t get up to SOR this year, as I think they would have ‘shown up’ so to speak for that one and given your guys a good game. Good luck to your Mounties in the playoffs. DI seems destined for a third Suffern/Mamo classic. Wouldn’t be surprised if that one went a few OTs, or even to a shootout. On our side, if Rye and Pelham can weave their way through a deeper DII field, we could have a similar classic final between those two teams.
fanotgame…. I gotta teach you to seize the moment in a classless monologue. Do you think I stayed composed when Mamaroneck beat Suffern to break their unbeaten streak 5 years ago? noooooo.
You are too nice. I think it is hilarious when people get so mad at your “backhanded compliments to pelham”. I mean, Postman is not even a pelham guy and he gets furious.
But then again…. you are from Rye. Me? I’m from the rough and tumble streets of Larchmont 10538. I only had a daytime nanny growing up…. no live in nanny for this street kid.
^————Now that’s comedy!
Are you a goalie guy?
Ha! Too funny. fotg taking the ultimate high road approach, and postman resigned to taking a deferential posture for spouting off about a game for which he really had no vested/ rooting interest.. Now THATS some good blogging!!