After an 0-6 start, Gateway hockey is fighting back into contention

By means of: Michael Love


Sunday January 12, 2025 | 11:01 am

The Gateway hockey team started 2025 with a major division victory over Wilmington at Palmer Imaging Arena.

But it wasn't easy.

Senior captain CJ Evans scored a hat trick as the Gators built a 5-0 lead in the second period.

But Wilmington started to chip away at the deficit, making it 5-4 heading into the third inning.

The Greyhounds rallied again, scoring twice late in the third to force overtime.

But Gateway would prevail when senior forward Connor Olson netted the game winner with 13 seconds left in the extra session.

The 7-6 victory on January 2 placed the Gators at 4-7-1-1 (fourth place) in the White Division of PIHL Division 2 and kept them in position for a spot in the Penguin Cup playoffs.

“When the game went into overtime, we talked to the kids about how important it was to hold their position,” Gateway coach Justin Evans said.

“We had a chance to really pull through and walk away with a win, which was the main goal. The children did it in dramatic fashion. Connor didn't have the strongest game offensively, but he came through when it mattered most. It was a resilient effort by everyone. It was also a learning experience that if we divert our focus from our No. 1 priority, which is defense, things can get out of hand quite quickly.”

Freshman Tristan Cole made 17 saves in the OT win over Wilmington.

Regular starting goaltender Dakota Montedoro, a senior, came into his own in a big way in a 4-3 win over Deer Lakes on Nov. 18 at the Alpha Ice Complex in Harmarville.

He made 61 saves to secure the victory. It was a match in which Evans scored twice. Olson and freshman Beau Ritson also found the back of the net.

Senior forward Jakob Williams was whistled for a significant penalty in the second period, and ultimately faced further discipline in the form of an eight-game suspension.

Coach Evans said he could return to the ice on Jan. 27 for Gateway's home game against Bishop Canevin.

“Dakota put on one of the most amazing displays of goaltending I have ever seen,” said Coach Evans.

“Jakob's penalty meant we missed twelve minutes in a row. In the end we only conceded one goal in that period. Dakota has been so important to our team. We are so impressed with how consistent he has been between the pipes.”

The Gators won five of seven after an 0-6 start.

“The team really wanted to win,” coach Evans said.

“There were some growing pains. Early on we tried to find the right spark to put us in the best position to get wins. It was about finding the right amount of playing time for each of our players to succeed. Some changes really put us in a good position and we were able to have a nice run of wins. A lot of kids have stepped up their game.”

A four-game win streak was halted on December 17 in a 3-1 loss to Connellsville.

“We made some costly mistakes and took some ill-advised penalties,” coach Evans said.

“We went from a good 1-0 lead to conceding three goals. That cost us a lot of wind, because it was a division match.”

Six days later, Burrell defeated the Gators 11-2.

Gateway was missing three key players and Olson (broken finger) and junior forward Caleb Sonafelt (broken collarbone) left the game with injuries.

Olson hasn't missed a single play, but Sonafelt is feared lost for the season.

“Burrell is impressive, but I think if we had all our players we could have given them a good game,” coach Evans said.

“We played the rest of the game with only two lines.”

CJ Evans and Ritson are focused on the Gators' long road to a possible playoff spot. But they are also preparing to represent Gateway in the Division 2 all-star game on Jan. 26 at Robert Morris' Island Sports Center.

“It was really exciting to see them both selected,” Coach Evans said.

“They both deserve to be there. It is very unique that multiple players have been selected to participate in the event. As a coach, it is very satisfying to see their hard work pay off.

“CJ has really stepped up and been a driving force on the offensive side of the puck. It's not easy to score. Looking at our stats, our second highest goal scorer (senior Gavin Grant) has six goals, and right up there with CJ with fourteen (as of the Wilmington game).

Evans ranks 10th in terms of goals scored in all of Division 2.

Ritson had five goals and a team-best 11 assists through 13 games.

“It's great to see how well Beau fits in with this team as a freshman,” said Coach Evans.

“The only clear reason why he is able to keep up with these older players on the team and against other teams is because his skating is phenomenal. Beau simply loves the sport. He is constantly working on his skating, his technique and his edge work. It gives him a big advantage in every match. His skating gets him out of many dangerous situations. He is able to create so much offense with how well he skates.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. He was born in Clearfield and graduated from Westminster (Pa.). He joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years with the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at [email protected].

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