ECAC Tournament Semi-Finals: #2 Harvard Crimson Vs #3 Cornell Big Red March 18th 2023

game winner
Photo By: 
Evan Patrie

Harvard's Alex Laferriere (18) with the game-winner in overtime when he wrist pass Cornell's Ian Shane (30) to advance to the ECAC Tournament finals. It would be the second game of the day from the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY as part of the semi-final day of the ECAC Tournament and it would feature last year's conference tournament winner #2 Harvard Crimson, and the #3 Cornell Big Red for the right to face the #5 Colgate Red Raiders for the ECAC title the next day. These games would be all about the defenses and the physical play as the shots for the game would be 25-15 on the night in favor of the Crimson. These games would see only one goal in the game and it would take until the 4:28 mark of the overtime when Harvard's Alex LaFerriere would light the lamp and give the Crimson the 1-0 win. In the winning effort, Mitchell Gibson would make 15 saves on the night for the shutout victory and advance to the championship game against the Colgate Red Raiders. With the loss, the Cornell Big Red go to 20-10-2 on the season and will wait till selection Sunday to see if they make the NCAA Tournament. Gallery

crunching hit
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Cornell's Sam Malinski (24) with the crunching hit on the Harvard forward as he crossed the blue line in the attacking zone. Gallery

ECAC Tournament Semi-Finals: #1 Quinnipiac Bobcats Vs #5 Colgate Red Raiders March 17th 2023

game tying goal
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Quinnipiac's Ethan De Jong (10) ties the game up at one in the early stages of the third period with the powerplay goal. It would be the opening game of the ECAC Tournament final four from the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY and it would feature the #1 seeded and #3 ranked nationally the Quinnipiac Bobcats and the #5 seeded Colgate Red Raiders. The upset-minded Red Raiders would crack the ice first with just under 3:15 left in the first period on the Daniel Panetta goal to give the Red Raiders the 1-0 and that's where the first period would end. Both teams would have their chances throughout the second period although the defenses on both sides would stand tall as neither team would be able to find the back of the net and the Red Raiders would hold onto the 1-0 lead as they entered the third period. In the third period, the Bobcats would finally break into score collum on the powerplay goal by Ethan De Jong just 3:47 into the period. From there the defenses would hold tight and neither team could take advantage and they would end regulation tied at one. From there the teams would head to the overtime tied at one and it would not be for the lack of chances but the game-winner would take til the 8:50 mark of the second overtime when Ross Mitton would tap in the rebound passed an outstretched Yaniv Perets for the game-winner. With the win, the Colgate Red Raiders advance to the finals of the ECAC Tournament for the first time since 2014 and go for their first Whitelaw Cup since 1990. While the Quinnipiac Bobcats will wait till selection Sunday to see if they would stay on the one-line for the NCAA Tournament. Gallery

takes him to the ice
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Colgate's Nick Anderson (27) with the hit on Quinnipiac's Colin Graf (11) that takes him to the ice after they go after the puck along the boards. Gallery

NYSPHSAA Division 2 Championship: #3 Pelham Pelicans (I) Vs, #2 Skaneateles Lakers (III) March 12th 2023

save
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Skaneateles Chad Lowe (30) with the pad save on the shot from Pelham's Nick Scampoli (7). It would be championship Sunday from the LECOM Harbor Center in Buffalo, NY and New York State Boy's Hockey Division II would be first up with the #2 Skaneateles Lakers taking on the defending state champion and currently number #3 in the state Pelham Pelicans. It wouldn't take long for the upstart-minded Lakers to get on the board and take the 1-0 lead in the game when Henry Major would score just 2:05 into the game. The Lakers would keep on the accelerator and expand their lead to 2-0 at the 7:58 mark of the period on the Andrew Falkenberg power play goal. Then at the 11:11 mark of the period the Lakers would take control of the game on the Andrew Witlock goal and make it 3-0. When the teams returned for the second period the Lakers would stay and take a 4-0 lead just 33 seconds into the period on Andrew Whitlock's second goal of the game. The game would stay there till there were just about 90 seconds left in the period when the Pelicans would get on the board with the Sebastian Esposito goal and make it a 4-1 game and give the Pelicans hope in the third period. Although the defenses would stand tall for both teams in the third period as there would be no scoring the defending champions Pelicans would fall to the Skaneateles Lakers to give them their first title in four years. Gallery

hit
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Pelham's Reid Finster (21) with the hit on Skaneateles' Trevor Jensesn (3) to break up the play in the corner. Gallery

NYSPHSAA Division 2 Final Four: #11 Saranac Chiefs (VII) Vs #3 Pelham Pelicans (I) March 11th 2023

goal
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Saranac's Zack O'Connell (88) starts the celebration as he gets the Chiefs' second goal. It was the first game of the NYSPHSAA Division II semi-finals. It would feature the #11 Saranac Chiefs from Section VII making their first appearance in the final four and the Pelham Pelicans from Section I and the defending state champions. The game would start off well for the defending champs as they would score just 2:16 into the game on the powerplay goal from Will Crotty for the 1-0 Pelicans lead. The Chiefs would answer back just about halfway through the period and tie the game at one on the Landon Giroux goal. Then just over four minutes later the Pelicans would regain their one-goal lead on the goal by Reid Finster for the 2-1 game. With just about thirty seconds left in the period, the Pelicans would extend their lead to 3-1 n the Joseph Vassalotti goal. The game would stay there till the 6:41 mark of the second period when the Pelicans would score on the Daniel Mitrione goal to make it a 4-1 game. The Chiefs would keep fighting and make it a two-goal game again at the 11:00 mark of the period on the Zack O'Connell goal to make it 4-2. Although the Pelicans would come back on fire after that and score 3 goals in the final five minutes of the period to take a commanding 7-2 lead on goals from Griffin Evans twice and Chris Franchini. Then in the third period with the game in hand, the Pelicans would let up and get the other kids in the game along with the Chiefs doing the same thing although the Pelicans would get one in the last minute of the period from James Vassakotti to secure the 8-2 win. In the winning effort, the Pelicans will advance to the championship against the winner of Salmon River and Skaneateles. In the losing effort, Joey Mitchell would make 44 saves on 52 shots as they finished their season at 13-8-2. Gallery

hit
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Saranac's Ashtyn Catlin (3) and Pelham's Zyde Karame (28) meet as they enter the zone going after the loose puck. Gallery

NYSPHSAA Division 2 Final Four: #2 Skaneateles Lakers Vs #1 Salmon River Shamrocks March 11th 2023

breakaway attempt
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Salmon River's Evan Collette (5) on the breakaway attempt late in the game going for the tying goal against Skaneateles's Chad Lowe (31). It would be the second game of the NYSPHSAA D2 Semi-finals and it would feature the top two ranked teams in the state as the #1 Salmon River Shamrocks would take on the #2 Skaneateles Lakers for the right to take on the Pelham Pelicans for a state title. It would be a battle between two evenly matched teams and the Lakers would get the opening goal of the game 8:52 into the first period from Henry Major for the 1-0 lead. Although the lead would be short-lived as the Shamrocks would answer right back ten seconds later on the goal by Dylan Johnson to tie the game one. The game would stay there till the 4:55 mark of the second period when the Shamrocks would score to take the 2-1 lead on the goal from Evan Collette. The Lakers would keep fighting and tie the game back up at two a little over three minutes later on a goal by Alex Whitlock. The game would stay there and throughout most of the third period. Although with 2:30 left in the game, the Lakers would take the 3-2 lead. Although the Shamrocks would not give up and they would have their chances in the closing minutes although the Lakers would hold on for the in and head to the finals against the Pelham Pelicans. Gallery

breaking up
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Skaneateles's Sutton Paro (13) with the hit on Salmon River's Evan Collette (5) that would break up the scoring attempt. Gallery

NYSPHSAA Class C Boy's Basketball First Round: #8 Chatham Panthers Vs #1 Moriah Vikings March 5th 2023

twisted in the air
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Moriah's Cooper Allen (13) gets twisted in the air as he goes in for the layup and ends up with the reserve. It would be the opening round of the NYSPHSAA Class C Tournament and would feature the #1 team in the state Moriah Vikings taking on number #8 Chatham Panthers from Clinton Community College. The game would start off well for the top team in the state as the Moriah Vikings would have a 15-9 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the team's high pace would continue as the Panthers would cut into the lead slightly with a 10-9 quarter but the Vikings would still have the 27-19 lead as they enter the intermission. When the teams returned for the second half the tempo and pace would pick up right where it left off as the Panthers would have a 12-10 quarter to cut into the deficit a bit more as the Vikings would have the 37-31 lead as they enter the fourth quarter. In that fourth quarter the Panthers would come all the way back and tie the game up at 46 and then with 1.5 seconds on the clock Drew Wemple would hit the jumper for the win. As the Chatham Panthers would pull off the upset of the #1 team in the state with the 50-46 victory and will advance to the quarterfinals and take on the #23 Canton Golden Bears. Gallery

fade away jumper
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Moriah Riley Demarais (24) with the fade-away jumper along the baseline for the score. Gallery

NYSPHSAA Class C Girl's Basketball First Round: #7 Northeastern Clinton Cougars Vs #3 Greenwich Witches March 8th 2023

runner along the lane
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Northeastern Clinton's Desiree Dubois (23) with the runner along the baseline for the score as part of the team's high performance. It would be the first round of the NYSPHSAA Class C Tournament and it would be a matchup inside the top ten teams as the #7 Northeastern Clinton Cougars would take on the #3 Greenwich Witches for the right to head to the quarterfinals from Clinton Community College. The game would start off great for the #3 Greenwich Witches as they would race out to a 17-4 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Cougars would dust off the early game nerves and fight back into the game with a 15-4 quarter to trail by just 2 at the break 21-19. When the teams returned for the second half the Witches would find would get back on track and would expand their lead to ten points with a 19-11 quarter for the 40-30 lead as they enter the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Witches would be able to keep a spell on the Cougars with a 9-4 quarter for the 49-34 victory. With the win, the #3 Greenwich Witches would advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament and have a match-up with the #13 Canton Golden Bears with a ticket to the final four on the line. Gallery

with the hook
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Northeastern Clinton's Alexa Turner with the baby hook in the paint for the score. Gallery

Section VII Class D Girl's Basketball Championship: #2 Boquet Valley Griffins Vs #1 Seton Catholic Knights March 5th 2023

with the block
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Boquet Valley's Abby Schwoebel (12) with the block on Seton Catholic's Madyson Whalen (10) as she drives the hoop. It would be game three of championship Sunday and we would be back on the girl's side of the ball as the #1 Seton Catholic Knights would meet up with the #2 Boquet Valley Griffins to decide the winner of Section VII Class D action. The game would start odd good for the Knights as they would get off to the early lead as would double up the Griffins with a 16-8 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the tables would flip and the Griffins would fight their way back in the game with good defense as they would win the quarter 8-4 but the Knights would have the 20-16 lead at the break. When the teams came back for the third quarter the Griffins would continue their comeback with an 11-8 quarter making it a one-point lead for the Knights at 28-27 as they enter the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter the two teams would fight back and forth as they would battle for the crown and with under 5 seconds left in the game Abby Schwobel would score to tie the game at 34 and force overtime. In the overtime, the Knights would be just a bit more than the Griffins as they would win the frame 9-3 to secure the 43-37 victory. With the win, the Seton Catholic Knights advance to the NYSPHSAA Class D Tournament and will take on Notre Dame-Bishop from Section II for the right to head to the NYSPHSAA Final Four. Gallery

with a finger
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Seton Catholic's Grace Trombley (12) gets a finger on the ball to disrupte the shot attempt of Boquet Valley's Claire Reynolds. Gallery

Section VII Class D Boy's Basketball Championship: #2 Crown Point Panthers Vs #1 Schroon Lake Wildcats March 5th 2023

finger roll
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Schroon Lake's Isaiah Pelkey (13) with the finger roll on the lay up for the Wildcats bucket. It would be the last game of the championship Sunday from Clinton Community College as this would be for the Class D Section VII title and we would have the #1 Schroon Lake Wildcats and the #2 Crown Point Panthers. It would be tight through the first quarter but the #2 Crown Point would have the upset in mind as they would have the 16-13 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the game would stay tight as neither team would be able to get on a sustained run but the Wildcats would win the quarter 16-13 and the teams would go into the break tied at 29. When the teams would return for the third quarter the game would stay tight but the Wildcats would get a bit of separation with a 13-9 quarter and take a 42-38 lead into the fourth. In that fourth quarter, the Wildcats would just have too much leave down the stretch for the Panthers as they would win the quarter 17-12 and get the 59-50 victory. With the win, the Schroon Lake Wildcats will advance to the NYSPHSAA Class D Tournament and will face North Warren from Section II for the right to go to the final four at the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. Gallery

fade away jumper
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Crown Point's Trevor Harris (34) with the fade away jumper in tight for the score. Gallery

Section VII Class C Girl's Basketball Championship: #2 Northeastern Clinton Cougars Vs #1 Northern Adirondack Bobcats March 5th 2023

Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Northeastern Clinton's Bailee Lafountain (10) charges down the lane for the hoop as Bobcats Isabella Gillmore (5) stays on the hip as she rises up. It would be the opening game of championship Sunday for Section VII Basketball and it would feature the top two seeds from Class C on the Girl's side as the #2 Northeastern Clinton Cougars and the #1 Northern Adirondack Bobcats. The Cougars would get off to a quick start in the game and take a 14-3 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Bobcats would get their shot going although it wouldn't be good enough as the Cougars would have a 13-10 quarter and take a 27-13 lead into the intermission. When the teams returned for the third quarter the Cougars would stay hot and have a 14-9 quarter and take a 41-22 lead into the fourth. In that quarter the Cougars would fall back and use the clock to their advantage and have a 9-8 quarter for the 49-29 victory. With the win, the #7 Northeastern Clinton Cougars advance to the NYSPHSAA Tournament and will take on #3 Greenwich on March 8th in the opening round of the tournament. Gallery

from the elbow
Photo By: 
Kyle Coryea

Northern Adirondack's Sophia Charland (13) with the jumper from the elbow over the Northeastern Clinton defender for the score. Gallery

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