​The varsity ice hockey team dominated puck possession and capitalized on several power play opportunities on their way to a 6–1 thrashing of Dayton on Monday at Warinanco Park.

WHS finally broke through for a goal six minutes into the first period, with freshman Matt Rittendale rifling a shot past the Dayton goaltender off a beautiful wraparound feed from junior Dante Anastario.

Anastario, a defenseman, displayed strong puck protection and fluid two-way hockey throughout the first period to help apply pressure on the Dayton defense.

Senior Matt Friedman grew the Blue Devils’ lead to two with a shot from the slot that found its way to the back of the net.

Said Friedman: “The game plan going in was to play our systems well and out-work [Dayton]. We came out slow but we ended up outworking them as the game progressed and that helped put us on top.”

Junior Luke Hiltwein added a goal late in the second period to give the Blue Devils a 3–0 advantage. With Dayton playing two men down, Hiltwein ripped a wrist shot from the slot over the goalie’s shoulder.

Westfield erupted for a flurry of goals in the third period, paced by Anastario’s two goals. His first came off an early snapshot from a cross-ice feed. Rittendale also scored his second of the game to open up a 5–0 lead.

Immediately after a Dayton goal, Anastario’s power play slapshot late in the period extended the lead to 6–1.
 
Said Senior Co-Captain Andrew Marino, who recorded three assists on the night: “I felt we all played together as a team. Each player played their specific role on the team.”

The team was also in action against Cranford on Wednesday night, prevailing 3–2 in a shootout to reach the UCIAC Finals. They will face Summit on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Warinanco Park.