JNP Plays Tolman To 1-1 Draw

The Co-operative Cougars of Johnston and North Providence responded to Tolman’s first-period goal with one of their own, but neither struck again—despite several glittering opportunities—and the two playoff-bound teams walked away from Dennis Lynch Arena with one point apiece.

JNP (13-1-1-0) picked up its league-leading 27th point Friday, two more than second-place Mt. Hope (12-2-1-0). Both teams have earned the right to bypass the preliminary round, but JNP could meet Tolman again in the semifinals, if the fifth-seeded Tigers (8-6-1-0) can slip past their first-round match-up with the No. 4 Townies of East Providence (10-5-0-1).

Prior to Friday’s contest, Tolman honored its two seniors, Dylan Miniati and Patrick Gray, and retired the jersey of a former Tiger and fallen U.S. Marine, Kyle Joseph Coutu. Coutu lost his life in Afghanistan February 18, 2010.

“It’s their Senior Night,” said JNP co-head coach David Accetturo. “They were going to come out emotional, fired up, and they’re a good team.”

Tolman’s initial thrust produced an opportunity for junior forward Kody Casavant, who scored his 29th goal of the season, with help from Gray, to establish the Tigers’ 1-0 advantage. JNP’s Robert Tonucci replied at 3:18, with an assist from Daniel Evans, but neither goalie capitulated thereafter.

JNP’s junior net-minder, Matthew Domaingue, finished the game with 21 consecutive saves, and Tolman’s Stephane Meunier turned aside 31 shots to preserve the stalemate.

“Their goalie came up big tonight,” Accetturo said. “He stole the show.”

Tonucci tested Tolman’s net-minder again with a second-period penalty shot, but he could not slide the puck past Meunier, who dragged his right leg toward the post to stymie the junior forward’s back-handed attempt.

The Cougars continued to seek a go-ahead goal, but Meunier rebuffed 13 third-period shots and two more in overtime, thwarting Evans’ breakaway bid during the extra session.

Domaingue responded with two of his four overtime saves, first stoning Tolman’s Patrick Gray, after the senior took a feed in the slot from Kody Casavant, then rejecting freshman Jared Pedro’s try from the left wing shortly thereafter.

JNP threatened once more during overtime, but senior forward Damon Ascenzi could not find the back of the net after he made a few dazzling moves to get himself within range of Meunier.

The Cougars will play once more prior to the postseason, hosting the co-operative unit from West Warwick and Exeter/West-Greenwich Saturday, Feb. 26 in Smithfield.

JNP will seek a 14th victory and a divisional championship without senior John Sarah. He and Tolman’s Zachary Belasco are due to be suspended for two games after they were cited for fighting and subsequently disqualified Friday.