Varsity Hockey Team Wins League Championship!!!!

Friars Win 2nd Straight CHSHL Title


The Friars are champs again! With their championship win over Monsignor Farrell, they won back to back championships in only their 3rd year in the league. The Friars beat the Lions in a clean sweep at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon. After a 4-2 victory in Game 1 of the finals, the Friars were using the goal of a second straight title to inspire them to win and win and win. And they did exactly that.

In Game 2, Farrell’s John Pallis beat St. Anthony’s goalie Sean Keating just 1 minute into the game to start off the scoring in the game. However, that lead wouldn’t last long enough. Friar’s forward Chris Wallace scored on a breakaway chance with 9 minutes left in the 1st period. But the scoring didn’t stop with that goal. Defenseman Jimmy Mazza fed a pass to Chris Wallace who scored for a shorthanded goal, only a couple of minutes after the Friars first goal and that goal gave a 2-1 lead for the Friars. Again, Friars forward Mike Marnell tallied another goal with 6 minutes left in the 1st period to give the Friars a 3-1 lead. Again, though, Farrell didn’t give up. Chris Gambardella scoring a goal, only 40 seconds after Marnell’s tally, cut the Friars lead to 3-2 once again. But the Friars consistent forward Mike Marnell got his second straight goal and ended the crazy 1st period with the Friars having a 4-2 lead over the Lions.

The 2nd period was a little less productive but the Friars found scoring once again from Senior Evan Katz who scored a goal with 8 minutes left in the 2nd. Sean Keating helped keep the Friars at a comfortable lead with a breakaway save off Farrell’s Sean Gargin.

After a penalty shot was awarded to Sean Gargin, he did beat Sean Keating this time and cut the Friars lead to 5-3. However, Friar’s Chris Sabanos scored the empty net goal to assure the win for the Friars and the championship.
Although the Friars were celebrating their 2nd consecutive CHSHL title, they will compete in the CHSAA state championship in Buffalo, NY. The Friars will either play with St. Francis or St. Joseph’s in the title game on March 6. The Friars will be in the State Championship for the second straight year and Friars goalie Sean Keating is looking forward to the game. “It’s gonna be a tough battle but I think we’re gonna play good hockey and all of us are going to contribute to a solid win.”

Hopefully, Sean’s hopeful statement will inspire other teammates to play focused and determined. Let’s go Friars!!


Reported by: Patrick McCormack '13