Arriving early and in droves fans packed the bleachers for the JCC of Bayonne’s Jr. Division Floor Hockey Championship showdown between the (6-2) Bruins and the (3-6) Red Wings. While the fans settled in the Bruins and Red Wings readied themselves as they would soon embark on what would turn out to be an epic journey. As the game started the Red Wings began to unleash one shot after another on net but the Bruins goalie Victor Mendolaro was clearly up to the challenge, as Mendolaro made a dozen heart pounding saves in the first ten minutes. With Mendolaro playing his “A” game the Bruins Ryan “Iron” Griffin ripped in two thunderbolts off assists from Matt Miceli and Alejandro “See Ya” Cifuentes as the Bruins gained a 2-0 advantage. After a key stop and clearing pass from defenseman Thomas Canela the Bruins Cifuentes made it 3-0 with a blistering wrist shot as “Iron” Griffin notched an assist. Having been down this road before a day earlier in their 6-5 O.T. comeback playoff win against the Blackhawks the Red Wings showed no signs of panic as they began to claw back. Fueling the Wings comeback was Drew Radil, the O.T. hero of their playoff win, as Radil made it 3-1 with a hard shot to net. Unfortunately for the Red Wings their goal was soon equaled as Ryan Griffin sailed in a power play goal to once again stretch the Bruins lead to three goals at 4-1. After enduring the penalty minutes the Red Wings offense began to take flight as team captain Megan Feeley drilled in a scoring dart to cut the Bruins lead to 4-2. With his team finally scoring the Red Wings goalie Declan Good returned to his rock solid shot stopping ways as Good would not allow another goal. As the clock hit the five minute mark the Red Wings turned up the burners as Declan McCormick assisted Drew Radil on his second goal of the bout. Down 4-3 with just sixteen ticks left on the game clock Akshat Thakur fired a pass to Radil who once again answered his teams call by blistering in the game tying shot. Knotted at 4 all the Red Wings offense continued to pound away in overtime and at the 3:40 mark their epic journey found its reward as Declan McCormick bulled in the game winner as the Wings claimed “Gold” with an amazing come from behind 5-4 O.T. victory.
Jr. Division
Offensive Player of the week – Megan Feeley – Red Wings
Defensive Player of the week – Victor Mendolaro – Bruins
Drew Radil – Red Wings
Teamwork/ Leadership Player of the week – Megan Feeley – Red Wings