Andrew Gladiuk
Andrew Gladiuk

Sacred Heart Uses Big Second Period to Stop Bentley in Home Opener

WATERTOWN, Mass. – Visiting Sacred Heart scored four times in a wild second period, on its way to a 6-3 victory over Bentley in front of a packed Ryan Arena for the team's home opener. Junior Andrew Gladiuk (White Rock, B.C./Nanaimo Clippers) netted two power play goals for the Falcons.

Bentley dug themselves a 2-0 hole after the first period which they never truly recovered from. The game was scoreless for the first 15 minutes, until Sacred Heart's Zach Sabatini scored at 15:15, and Justin Danforth netted a shorthanded goal on a breakaway at 19:18.

The Pioneers then tacked on three more goals in a span of just 2:44 in the second period. After Sabatini found the back of the net for a second time to finish the spurt, it was 5-0 for the visitors just 6:05 into the second frame.

Just 50 seconds later though, Bentley offered hope of a comeback as freshman Vincent Russo (Jackson, N.J./Junior Bruins) scored his first career goal, putting home a rebound from a Tyler Deresky (Flemington, N.J./Amarillo) shot that was saved by Sacred Heart goalie Alex Vazzano.

Sacred Heart though helped deny any more Bentley momentum by receiving a goal from David Iacono at 8:20.

Trailing 6-1, Gladiuk went to work for the Falcons. He stuffed home a rebound in front of the net at 10:45 after defenseman Matt Blomquist (Blaine, Minn./Coulee Region) put a shot on Vazzano. He then tallied another at 16:21 with the Falcons on the man advantage to cut the deficit to 6-3.

However, Vazzano stopped all 10 Bentley shots in the third period as Sacred Heart held on for the win.

After splitting the series with Sacred Heart, Bentley's record goes to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in Atlantic Hockey. They head out on the road for their next four games, starting next weekend with a two game series at Rensselaer.