By Dylan Butler
With just 10 available skaters and facing a team that lost only one game during the regular season, it was imperative that the McClancy hockey team not squander its scoring chances against Xavier in the first game of the best-of-three CHSHL ‘C’ championship series.
Xavier’s Pakie Belanger heard the same thing from his coach Brian Geissler.
“It’s what coach told us all game,” said Belanger, one of 10 seniors on Xavier. “Stay in front of the net and get easy goals.”
That’s exactly what Belanger did with 3:27 left in the third period, stuffing what proved to be the game-winner between Crusaders goaltender Sean Rock’s legs to lift Xavier to a 4-2 win Tuesday night at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon.
McClancy, which swept Cardinal Spellman in the semifinals, needs to win in a game scheduled for Wednesday night to force a deciding Game 3, which would be played at Abe Stark Rink on Coney Island Friday at 8:15 p.m.
“We’re very rarely outworked, we’re just outmanned,” said McClancy assistant coach Mike Barnwell. “There’s no room for error and unfortunately we didn’t bury our chances when we had them.”
Belanger’s goal, and an empty-netter by Ralph Marucci that followed with 19 seconds left, ruined what was a great comeback by McClancy (11-7), which trailed 2-0 heading into the third period.
Anthony DeMarco (power play) and Joe Sadowsky scored two goals in the span of one minute to tie the game at 2 with 6:39 left in the third period.
Jason Andjelovic had a pair of brilliant opportunities to put the Crusaders ahead, but McClancy’s leading scorer couldn’t tee up a shot from the right circle and then was taken down on an apparent breakaway, but no penalty was called.
Belanger had a breakaway of his own, but his shot was deflected over the net by Rock. George Stephan, whose shorthanded breakaway put Xavier (18-1) ahead 2-0 in the second period, found Belanger in front of the net.
“It was a lucky opportunity, I’m usually good behind the net,” said Rock. “I didn’t see the pass as sharply as I would have liked and [Belanger] threw it between my legs. It was one I wanted back.”
Kellenberg 4, Molloy 2. Scott Ziegler, John Jensen and Nick Garcia gave Kellenberg (9-8-2) a 3-0 lead in Game 3 of a best-of-three CHSHL ‘B’ semifinal series Tuesday at Abe Stark Rink. Sean Kearney and Matt Davino scored for Molloy (12-4-3).
Behind Jimmy Grogan and Davino (two goals and one assist apiece), the Stanners rebounded from an 8-5 loss in Game 1 to defeat the Firebirds, 6-3 Saturday at the Ice Hutch to force Game 3.
St. Peter’s 5, Holy Cross 3. Joey Rigatti netted a hat trick, including an empty-netter, to lead St. Peter’s (12-4-3) in the third and final game of a CHSHL ‘B’ division series Tuesday at Abe Stark Rink. Chris Ryan scored two goals and Mark Goetzger added another for Holy Cross (9-5-4).
After allowing four first period goals in a 5-3 loss in Game 1, five different Knights scored and Matt Cammarata made 27 saves in a 5-0 win over the Eagles in Game 2 Sunday at Abe Stark Rink.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by email at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 143.
