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

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