For EHS Senior Ethan Treanor, Wednesday’s boys hockey game against longtime rival CVU was about more than winning.
“I was always told that hockey players give back,” Treanor said. “I feel that kind of lacked with Essex for the past couple of years. I wanted to do something that involved the community and brought everyone together.”
Treanor, forward, organized the event to highlight the neurodivergent community. Despite the rivalry, Treanor fostered unity by bringing both teams and students with special needs together.
Before the puck drop, Treanor gave a speech explaining his years-long dedication to the neurodivergent community.
“I grew up around special education,” Treanor said. “Seeing kids, even just playing basketball with them, it’s always been a part of my life. I wanted to include that with my other passions, like hockey, and I wanted to give them an outlet to be a part of the community.”
After a standing ovation for his hard work, the game commenced.
It was a scoreless first two periods, with both teams playing tough on the defensive side. With a minute to go in the third period, CVU shot and scored the first point of the game. It was looking grim for Essex, with not much time remaining, but the boys didn’t let this faze them.
The puck dropped and got kicked out to Freshman Travis Carpenter, who quickly found himself in a one-v-one with the CVU goalie. The crowd of Hornets erupted in cheers when he scored the game tying goal with just 20 seconds remaining, and a mere 7 seconds after the CVU goal.
“I was so focused I didn’t even know what was happening,” Carpenter said. “I’ve always been someone who never stops trying, so I got out there and even with little hope, I was like, I’m gonna try anyway.”
Going into overtime, both teams were worn down. The game to this point had been physical, with multiple players getting injured from both teams.
After several back and forths and exceptional saves by both goalies, Senior Alex McFaul sealed the deal for Essex with the game winning shot.
“It was just pure excitement,” McFaul said. “Going down the ice with the puck, the jitters get to you, but you have to stay calm in those pressured moments.”
The boys have all eyes on the championship at Gutterson Field House on March 15. Treanor is proud of the season so far and each one of the players.
“I know all my boys can do it,” Treanor said in reference to the championship. “I believe in every single one of them.”
