By JIM MACLEAN
Both teams knew what was at stake, a Section 1 title and chance to play in the state tournament, and both teams knew what to expect from the opposition, having faced off against each other three times already on the ice.
The North Avalanche girls varsity ice hockey team had faced the East Green Wave three times, winning twice and tying once, but the Avalanche knew it was going to be a battle as the two teams squared off in the Section 1 championship game Feb. 10, at Sport-O-Rama in Rockland County.
It was everything they expected, two teams fired up at the top of their game, battling into overtime before the North Avalanche prevailed with a 2-1 victory.
“That was a high quality intense ice hockey game, it shows the level of skill being developed and played in Section 1 girls ice hockey,” said North Avalanche coach Stacey Wierl. “We knew it was going to be tough, they’re a very highly skilled team and they wanted it, a lose and go home scenario, we anticipated a stressful game. This wasn’t a surprise, we knew we’d have to work for it.”
After the first period, the North Avalanche had to work even harder as the East Green Wave came out flying. The East Green Wave took a 1-0 lead and dominated possession, outshooting the Avalanche 14-5 in the period.
The North Avalanche withstood the pressure and regrouped for the second period. With a power play opportunity, John Jay sophomore Kathryn Becker gathered a rebound off a shot by Kathryn Lonergan of Westlake, and Becker buried a shot in the net to tie it up at 1-1 at the 11:55 mark.
“What a special goal for a special kid,” Wierl said of Becker’s goal. “We’ve been working on our power play to score on rebounds, she got her stick on the ice, saw the opening and made a great shot, a very special goal for her. Her skating skills and ability to see the ice have improved tremendously. She’s part of our top core getting the job done, so proud of the way she’s played.”
That set the stage for an intense third period as both teams were up to the challenge on defense forcing overtime locked in a 1-1 tie. North Avalanche goalie Lily Stanzione of Byram Hills made 34 saves overall, with a lot of help from her defense in front of her, including John Jay eighth-grader Marcie Maurice.
“Talk about your unsung heroes, we have Marcie Maurice and Gabi Godard of Pawling out there every other shift on defense, two eighth-graders going against girls going off to college,” explained Wierl. “Their skills and ability, giving everything they have, they’ve been outstanding for us on defense.”
In overtime, the North Avalanche got a big break as the East Green Wave took a four-minute major penalty. The Green Wave was able to kill off the penalty, but the Avalanche was able to apply the pressure and kept it up, outshooting them 11-5 in the overtime period. Wierl credited her third-line, including senior assistant captain Piper Ackner of Fox Lane, for making the difference with fresh legs as the East Green Wave tried to keep up into overtime.
“Piper always gives us a spark, fresh legs when we need it,” Wierl said of Ackner. “This year’s senior veterans really wanted this moment, they lead the way in the locker room, positive energy and confidence, inspiring the don’t let down mentality on our team. That third line was a difference maker. In overtime they took that major and killed it off, but that tired them out.”
The North Avalanche kept up the pressure and it paid off as Francesca Brucato of Carmel scored the game-winning goal with three minutes left in the overtime period.
It was the second-straight Section 1 title for the North Avalanche, and the second-straight time they faced the East Green Wave in the finals. Many of the seniors on the two teams played together three years ago as Section 1 champions before splitting into two teams to make it three girls varsity teams in the section.
Now as champions, the North Avalanche will advance to the New York State regionals where they will face a familiar foe in Adirondack-United from Section 2.
“We’ve seen them the last three years, it’s the only team in Section 2,” Wierl said of Adirondack-United. “Hopefully, we can put Section 1 on the map. We hope to continue to grow the youth programs, get a fourth team in the section. It’s an exciting time for girls hockey in this area.”
The North Avalanche was set to host Adirondack-United in the regional game Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Brewster Ice Arena. The winner advances to the New York state final four in Utica.