Even Eden Lake Shore Pioneer Springville ice hockey head coach Michael Mecca doesn't remember exactly when he started the ELPS program. Some say it was 19 years ago, others say it was 20 years ago, but one of his memorable items at ELPS was winning the program's first state title.
ELPS celebrated their OT victory and 2024 title win against Jamestown last weekend.
It happened last Sunday, March 3rd, at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown.
Nothing was easy and extra time was spent on drama. After starting the tournament with a 6-4 loss to Valley Stream Sewanhaka Lynbrook, the ELPS Raiders advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 win in the preliminary round, followed by a 4-1 loss to the Half Hollow Hills Hornets. They won and advanced to the semi-finals. They defeated City Honors 13-1.
The Raiders needed to win the final qualifying round by 11 goals to earn the top seed for the Final Four. After winning this honor, ELPS had a rematch with Storm of Valley Stream-Sewanhaka-Linbrook in the semi-finals, but unlike the first matchup, ELPS won in a thriller double overtime game. Bryce Judkiewicz scored the top goal to advance the Raiders to the finals. championship game against host Jamestown.
“Judkiewicz broke up a play going into our D-zone and passed the puck to the left side by center ice. He then joined the rush and slammed his stick on the ice to demand the puck back. Blue line. , drove wide to the right and hit the bar from the face-off circle into the top left corner over the goalie's shoulders,'' Coach Mecca said of the winner who advanced ELPS to the title game.
Springville's Sam Bridie, Nate Tatford, Bryce Judkiewicz and Dave Kirkpatrick display last weekend's state trophy in Jamestown.
Jamestown eliminated ELPS in the semifinals the year before, but after winning in double overtime, the Raiders had nothing but momentum and victory on their minds. They also had the unstoppable Nate Smith ready to go.
Smith scored the OT winner to give ELPS its first state title. The Raiders never trailed in the game, but every time ELPS scored, Jamestown responded. Gabe Kemp took the lead for the Raiders with an assist to Max Huttenrocker with 4:03 left in the first half. Jamestown tied the score, but Smith scored his first short-handed goal about three minutes into the second period, giving ELPS a 2-1 lead. Jamestown tied the score at 2-2 on the power play, and that was the end of the scoring in the second period.
With just under 13 minutes left in regulation time, Smith scored his second goal of the day off Derek Nolder and Brian Kruup, and it looked like it would be the game-winner. However, near the end of regulation, Jamestown's goaltender was pulled in favor of an additional attacker, leaving Jamestown tied at 3-3 with just 38 seconds left in regulation.
Just 27 seconds into overtime, Smith scored his third and second unassisted score of the game in the New York State Intercollegiate Ice Hockey Mixed Schools Championship to seal the game, with Colton Hornquist serving as the winning goaltender. Ta.
Members of the Springville Griffin-bound team who saw action include defensemen Dave Kirkpatrick, Nate Tatford and Judkiewicz, and forward Sam Bridie.
