NUCCITELLI LEADS WEBSTER THOMAS TO 3-1 WIN OVER BRIGHTON/HFL

Feb 1, 2024

For the past few several weeks, the Rochester Americans have again been front and center on the local high school hockey scene as part of a weekly series featuring the latest news and notes, scores and stats of select Section V games around the Greater Rochester Area.

A pair of unanswered goals proved to be the difference Tuesday night as the Webster Thomas Titans (9-6-0) secured a 3-1 victory over the Brighton/HFL Bruins (4-11-0) at Webster Ice Arena.

The Titans, who have won five of their last six games since the start of 2024 calendar year, completed a season sweep over the Bruins after earning a 5-2 victory back on Dec. 22.

Lucas Nuccitelli (1+1) turned in a multi-point game for Webster Thomas while Jackson Bernier (1+0) and Sam Nesbitt (1+0) both scored one goal each. Cole Burton, Cam Hall, Teddy Paprocki all recorded one assist.

Goaltender Michael Nappi (9-6-0) earned the win while making his 15^th appearance of the season. The netminder turned aside 14 of the 15 shots he faced.

Liam Lawrence scored Brighton/HFL’s lone goal in the second period while Emmet Landt registered the assist. Goaltender Ryan Hurwitz (4-12-0) also made his 15th appearance, and despite making 30 saves, suffered the defeat. It marked the 12^th consecutive contest Hurwitz made 20 or more saves.

Despite not capitalizing on a pair of power-plays in the opening period, Webster Thomas opened the scoring as Nuccitelli finished off Paprocki and Burton’s feed with 2:58 left in the frame.

After being outshot 11-2 in the first period, the Bruins evened the score with Lawrence’s snipe atop the face-off circle from Landt with just under 10 minutes to play.

Nearly two minutes later, though, the Titans reclaimed their lead on Bernier’s tally, which eventually served as the game-winning goal.

Early in the final period and holding a 2-1 lead, Webster Thomas doubled its cushion at the 2:54 mark with Nesbitt’s goal.

Despite gaining a late power-play and pulling Hurwitz for the final two minutes, the Bruins could not find a way to cut into the deficit and fell 3-1.

Webster Thomas will usher in the final month of the season with a 4:00 p.m. face-off against Churchville-Chili on Thursday, Feb. 1 at Scottsville Arena. Brighton/HFL, meanwhile, takes on Pittsford on Friday, Feb. 2 for a 5:00 p.m. contest at Genesee Valley.