The Franklin D. Roosevelt hockey team had just proven how capable this team is under pressure, so their spirits were high and confidence was high as overtime began.
In this overwhelming campaign, the president rarely turns his back on the ropes. But in erasing his two-goal deficit in the third period, the subheading “dramatic turnaround” was added to an already impressive portfolio of athleticism.
“That was huge for us because we've never been behind in the playoffs before,” coach Mark Maroney said.
Even more important was the winning goal, which they scored in the second minute of overtime. In the decisive second game of the Hudson Valley High School Ice Hockey Association Championship Series, Ethan Abrahams received a pass from Dylan Updike and scored, giving Roosevelt a 4-3 victory over Washingtonville.
The victory, which took place last Saturday at McCann Ice Arena in Poughkeepsie, gave the Presidents their third consecutive title.
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“I don't like to use the word 'dynasty' around, but they are a dynasty,” said Maroney, whose team is 51-7-7 since December 2021. And I'm lucky to be a part of it too. ”
As is tradition, the players celebrated this recent accomplishment and the legacy the program has established by drinking water and root beer from the cup atop the trophy.
“I told the players that 30 years from now, whatever they do in life and career, they will be able to draw confidence and inspiration from what they have done here,” the coach said. . “They did something unforgettable.”
This time too, in an unforgettable way. Roosevelt dominated the first game, 9-3, but closed in on Washingtonville within minutes, clinching the third game.
When Washingtonville built a 3-1 lead on Saturday and the President's puck control and 41 shots on goal became moot, some frustration and some panic began to set in.
“We were playing well and we reminded them of that,” Maroney said. “They were doing almost everything right, but we were hitting a brick wall.”
But after enough chipping, it eventually cracked and collapsed. Roosevelt surged in that third period, eventually tying the score with four minutes left in regulation.
Abrahams scored a league-leading 30 goals and was assisted by Updike's playmakers Adam Jukowski, Tyrus Cole and Tomas Hajek. Roosevelt also boasted an athletic and physical defense led by captain Alex Hart, Ryan Zindler, Sebastian Barnett, Travis Law and Owen Maloney.
Goaltender Henry Goodwin was so good on defense that he made a total of 28 saves in two games in the Championship Series.
“We have 15 skaters and two goalies, and they all contributed all season,” Mark Maloney said. “We run three lines and we know everyone is getting critical minutes, which is very important. This was truly a team effort.”
That's especially impressive considering the roster is made up of players from a small number of schools in the area, some of whom are multi-sport athletes who excel in other fields. That includes Updike, who led the Spakenkill soccer team to the state finals in November.
“It's hard to bring together teenagers from different schools and develop chemistry,” Mark Maroney said, praising the work of assistant coaches Michael Abrahams, Chris Herlitz and Mike Stephan. . “We only meet once a week for practice, and yet they have become a cohesive unit. That speaks to their maturity and character.”
The April 7 banquet will be a farewell of sorts for those players and perhaps this era of the program, as the team graduates nine seniors, including several core members. Mark Maloney jokingly said the league “would be happy” to see them go.
“They are a big part of our core and we will miss them,” he said. “But what they did here is special. And what better way to end it than the way they did?”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
