Rock’s saves lift Crusaders into 1st

Although Sean Rock, McClancy’s senior goalie, wasn’t having his best game Thursday evening, he was in top form when it counted the most.
Rock twice stumped Spellman at the doorstep in the final 12 minutes of the third period, lifting the Crusaders into first place in the CHSHL ‘C’ as they held off Spellman, 7-5, in Yonkers.
Spellman’s Steven Mele scored four times, but his wrist shot from the point early in the final period that threatened to erase the McClancy lead, was deflected high. “Mele’s a great player,” McClancy Coach Mike Brenneis said. “But Rock closed the door on him. He shut the vault.”
Rock, however, wasn’t done. With the Crusaders fighting off their second penalty of the period, Joe Havranek unleashed a laser from the left circle. Rock, going into a half split a la former New York Rangers great Mike Richter, snatched the whistler out of the air with 1:43 to go. “I was just looking for the highlight,” he quipped.
“Rock’s a solid goalie; I knew he’d make the saves,” praised junior Stephen Ferguson.
As two of just four upperclassmen on an extremely young team, Rock and Ferguson led the Crusaders past the now-second place Falcons (7-2-1).
While Rock, a four-year starter in net, was the reason the Crusaders hung onto their advantage, Ferguson was responsible for the cushion. Notching a hat trick, he scored twice in the span of 27 seconds to give McClancy a 5-2 lead midway through the second period.
“We’ve been scoring quickly all year,” Ferguson said. “We came out for the second period, started crashing the net and putting [the puck] in the net. Against good teams like this, I feel I have to lead the way.”
Sophomores Steven Miller, Thomas Moran and Brian Milroy also added goals, and junior Anthony Vennitti sealed the game with 12 seconds remaining.
McClancy (8-1-1), playing in the ‘B’ division a season ago, finished last, missing out on the playoffs by just five points. The season before, they won the city championship. This winter, they’re assured of a post-season berth, with a second championship in three seasons clearly a possibility.
“As a senior, I want to go out with a bang,” Rock said.