Familiar cheers rang through Kiwanis Ice Arena Sunday February 27, as the final buzzer sounded in the New York State Championship. Eighteen days after capturing the Suffolk County Crown, the St. Anthony’s Friars added another trophy to their collection.
An exciting championship game between the Friars and the Northport-Huntington Tigers ended by a score of 5-4.
St. Anthony’s were finally able to solve the Northport puzzle. In their fourth meeting of the season, they earned their first win against the Tigers when it mattered most. Nicholas D’andrea and Brady Monteleone left their mark on the game, scoring two goals each; but it was Gerard Nealon netting the victory-sealing goal for the Friars in the third period.
With just over two minutes remaining in the game, Thomas Colavecchio stole the puck in Northport’s zone to set up Nealon on the doorstep. Nealon put one home on a wide open net, puting the Friars ahead, 5-3.
The Tigers attempted to make a late push when Blake Hanson scored with a minute and a half left to get them within one. It was too little too late, however.
In the first period, the two teams alternated scores. D’andrea opened, followed by Robert Savaglio for the Tigers. D’andrea netted another, which was soon answered by Bradley Gray, creating a 2-2 tie after one.
The second period was highlighted by back-to-back Monteleone goals. The Friars held onto that two goal lead for most of the second until an unforced turnover led to a chance for Derek Macholz in front of the Friar net. He brought the Tigers within one in the closing seconds.
Carmine Pittelli, Michael Meyer, Tyler Paragallo, and John Corr had assists for the Tigers. Patrick Rowan provided most of the assist work for the Friars, in addition to Thomas Colavecchio’s two.
In the round robin, the two teams met in a game that ended 6-2 in Northport’s favor. The victory helped the Tigers secure the one-seed in the playoffs, and possibly set up a run for the state championship.
The semifinal matchups worked out to be Suffolk semi rematches. Northport took on Connetquot-Sayville, and St. Anthony’s faced off against Kings Park-Commack. The Tigers avenged their loss to the T-Birds, while the Friars doubled down on Kings Park to win once more.
St. Anthony’s and Northport will both compete in Nationals in Dallas, Texas, from March 24-28. The Friars look to capture their third championship on the year.
