By Andy Hutchison

MILFORD — The Staples High hockey team saw five players light the lamp, including Tyler DiMaio with the game-winner, in a 5-4 overtime triumph over Masuk for a successful season opener Wednesday.

DiMaio cashed in on a chance in front of the net six minutes into the eight-minute extra stanza at the Milford Ice Pavilion.

Harry Goodburn, Jameson Russell, Jacob Gonzalez and Trey Wilson also scored. Cooper Paul, Wilson, DiMaio, Goodburn and Russell all had assists.

Masuk led 1-0 after one period, and the Wreckers and Panthers combined for five second-period goals leaving the score even at 3-3 going to the third.

After the Panthers seized a late 4-3 lead, Staples forced overtime when Goodburn set up Wilson to tie the game. Russell and Paul assisted the game winner by DiMaio.

Goalie Mason Mountain kicked aside 39 shots on goal.

The season-opening victory underscored Coach Matthew Bohn’s goals for the team this year.

“We have a great core and group of leaders and upperclassmen who are charged up for the season. We want to focus on the process. Get a little better every day, learn from our mistakes, and do it all together,” he said.

“Our captains helped put together standards for our group and if we can do our best to live up to those every practice, each shift, we’ll end up with plenty of opportunities,” the coach added. 

“We also have a nice group of underclassmen who want to be a part of something bigger. Effort, discipline, and togetherness will be huge for our culture and success.”

This year’s captains are forwards Tyler DiMaio and Jameson Russell along with defenseman Jacob Gomez.

Forwards Cooper Paul and Trey Wilson, as well as defensemen Harry Goodburn and Uzi Greenman, are expected to be among other key players for the Wreckers.

DiMaio and Paul, the top center in the lineup, are go-to scorers expected to help lead the offense.

Sophomore Mason Mountain and freshman Alistair Mukhtar are the goaltenders competing for time in net. Mountain returns with more varsity experience and had a great pre-season, while Mukhtar has shown us a lot of grit and potential, Bohn said.

The Wreckers next are slated to visit Joel Barlow’s co-op team at 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Danbury Ice Arena. (Game schedules are subject to change; click for the latest CIAC updates.)

Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.