SLC Storms To State Hockey Final 4

NEWBURGH - A slow start on the road against Section 9 champion Burke Catholic on Saturday didn't stop the St. Lawrence Central hockey team from earning a trip to the New York State Division II Final Four.

After falling behind 3-0 when the Eagles struck for their second straight shorthanded goal with 3:30 left in the first period, the Larries stormed back with five goals over the final 3:17 of the opening frame and then added another goal in the first minute of the second period en route to coming away with a convincing 7-3 decision.

"In my 27 years around the sport of hockey, I've never seen a first period like that," said SLC Coach Mickey Locke.

"Two of their three goals were break-aways and all three were scored by the same player. Both teams really came out with a lot of nerves."

With its seventh win in the last eight games, SLC improves to 17-7 overall and advances to the state semi-finals in Utica where they take on Section 2 champion Queensbury.

Playing against Burke Catholic at the Ice Time rink in Newburgh, the Larries once against showed the same resilience that helped carry them to their first Section 10 championship in 12 years. The host Eagles grabbed a quick lead when senior standout Josh Koerner converted on a pass from junior Jason Healey just 58 seconds into the game. Koerner then made it 2-0 at the 8:36 mark with an unassisted shorthanded goal and then pushed the Eagles lead to 3-0 three minutes later when he completed his natural hat trick with a second straight goal while the Larries were on the man advantage at the 11:30 mark.

But on the ensuing face-off, Brady Helmer broke through for a power play goal off an assist from Dylan Patterson just 13 seconds later and the Larries never looked back. Brett Mahoney made it a one-goal game when he scored from Helmer with 3:17 left in the period. Charlie Dullea then pulled the Larries even 33 seconds later with an unassisted goal before Patterson stepped up and blasted home a shot from the high slot with 40 seconds remaining for what would stand as the game-winner. Helmer then capped the decisive late-period surge when he struck for his second of the game only 16 seconds later.

The momentum of the late turnaround carried over to the start of the second period where the Larries connected again at the 59-second mark as Dullea scored from Blake Baldwin. Helmer completed the SLC scoring when he finished off a play set up by Zach Baldwin with 2:01 left in the middle frame.

"Our game plan was to limit Koerner opportunities. Once we settled down defensively, we did a good job with that. When we got the lead, we played a defensive-minded game. I'm just proud of the way our team responded after getting down early. We battled," said coach Locke.

Sophomore Jordan Gary recovered from the fast Burke Catholic start by turning aside all the shots he faced over the final 33:30 of the game in backstopping the win with 19 saves. Sophomore Eric Hayden handled crease duties for the Eagles making 20 stops. Burke Catholic finished at 13-8.

The Larries are slated to play their semi-final round game on Saturday at 5:45 p.m. at the Utica Aud. The Division II championship is slated for Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Queensbury advanced to the semi-finals by traveling to Rye and earning a 5-3 win. Kevin Valenti scored twice for the winners. The Spartans outshot Rye 50-20.

West Genesee 3, Potsdam 1: Two second period goals lifted Section 3 Division I champion West Genny past Section 10 Division I champion Potsdam. Adam King scored two goals while Erick Hanley added a goal and two assists for the Knights. Anthony Millitello posted 14 saves in net.Seth Adams connected from Taylor Hazen and Ryan Merriman for a 1-0 Potsdam lead in the first period. Evan Drummater made 36 saves in net for the Sandstoners.

State Hockey Quarter-Finals

St. Lawrence Central 7, Burke Catholic 3

First Period: 1. BC - Josh Koerner (Jason Healey) :58. 2. BC - Koerner shg 8:36. 3. BC - Koerner (Healey) shg 11:30. 4. SLC - Helmer (Patterson) ppg 11:43. 5. SLC - Mahoney (Helmer)12:37. 6. SLC - Dullea (Fiske) 13:10. 7. SLC - Patterson (B Baldwin Dullea 14:20. 8. SLC - Helmer 14:36. Second Period: 9. SLC - Dullea (B. Baldwin) :59. 10. - SLC - Helmer (Z. Baldwin) 12:59. Third Period: No scoring.

Goalies: Eric Hayden (BC) 20 saves. Gary (SLC)19 saves.

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West Genseee

First Period: 1, Pots, Seth Adams (Hazen, Ryan Merriman) 11:27, 2, WG, King (Lewis, Haney) 14:07. Second Period: 3, WG, King (Lewis) 8:19, 4, WG, Haney (Lewis) 8:41.

Goalies: Evan Drummatter (P) 36, A. Militello (WG) 15.