Late into the night on Monday, November 16, the Harriton boys’ ice hockey team started off its season with a face off against Conestoga, the first place team in the Central League’s northern division.

The Rams lost only one senior after last season, and they were looking forward to a successful game with their experienced players. Despite a number of excellent goals, they lost to Conestoga 7-5.

After 11 scoreless minutes of the first period, Conestoga finally broke the tie. Five minutes later, with just seconds left in the period, they scored once again, finishing the period with a 2-0 lead over the frustrated Rams.

This rattled Harriton in the second period, and the Rams allowed three more Conestoga goals in the first 11 minutes. However, near the end of the period, assistant captain Sam Kirby finally scored the Rams’ first goal off a shot that hit the corner of the net, bringing the score to 5-1.

Just seconds later, Conestoga responded with yet another goal, and the second period ended with Conestoga leading 6-1.

Despite the score, the Rams rallied in the third period. Less than a minute after the period began, captain Skyler Thomas sent the puck to the back of Conestoga’s net. Two minutes later, Thomas scored another goal on a power play, bringing the score to 6-3.

Conestoga was able to widen the gap by yet another goal a few minutes later, and there was no change in score for a large portion of the period.

With precious few minutes left in the game, Nick Wert scored, and Thomas earned a third goal to complete a hat trick in the final seconds. This, however, was not enough, and Conestoga won 7-5 against the Rams. Although disappointed by this loss, the team is still hopeful for the coming season.