Stunning Comeback Carries SLCHockey Into StateD-2 Semis

BRASHER FALLS - Talk about making a spirited comeback.

After falling behind 3-0 on the road to Section 9 champion Burke Catholic in the first 11 and a-half minutes of its New York State Division II quarter-final round game on Saturday, the St. Lawrence Central boys hockey team rattled off five goals over the final 3:17 of the opening period and another just 59 seconds into the middle frame en route to posting an overwhelming 7-3 win on Saturday at the Ice Time Rink in Newburgh.

"In my 27 years around the sport of hockey, I've never seen a first period like that," said SLC Coach Mickey Locke after his squad improved to 17-7 with its seventh win in eight games. "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 the win, the Larries earned their first trip to the state semi-finals since they won the Division II title in 1982. The state championships are slated for this weekend at the Utica Aud where SLC will go up against Section 2 champion Queensbury (17-7-1) on Saturday at 5:45 p.m. The other Division II semi-final has Section 3 champion New Hartford facing Section 7 champion Plattsburgh. New Hartford, the defending state champion, advanced by outlasting Section 5 champion Webster Thomas 5-4 in triple overtime while Plattsburgh edged Section 6 champion Amherst 2-1.

At the Ice Time rink in Newburgh on Saturday, the Larries once again showed the same resilience that helped carry them to their first Section 10 championship since 1999. 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 shorthanded goal with 3:30 left in the first period.

But shortly after the ensuing face-off, Dylan Patterson got the puck to Brady Helmer, who broke through for a power play goal just 13 seconds later, and the Larries never looked back. Brett Mahoney made it a one-goal game with 2:23 remaining off an assist from Helmer. Charlie Dullea 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 and his hattrick 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," noted 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.

SANDSTONERS FALL TO WEST GENESEE

West Genesee 3, Potsdam 1: Two second period goals just 22 seconds apart 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.