Surprise additions key finals berth

Junior defensemen unexpectedly play, leading Molloy to first-ever CHSHL ‘A’ finals
BY ZACHARY BRAZILLER
The unexpected additions of Molloy’s two star defensemen led to a historic first in their fledgling hockey program - a CHSHL ‘A’ finals berth. With the surprise additions of Daniel Scagnelli and Paul DiNubila, the Stanners outworked and eliminated Iona Prep, 4-1, Sunday evening at the Abe Stark Arena in Coney Island in the final game of their best-of-3 semifinal series.
DiNubila, who plays travel hockey with the Long Island Gulls, was in New Jersey for a tournament, but came back for the series clincher. Scagnelli, meanwhile, was an even longer shot to lace up his skates, suffering from a partially torn labrum in his shoulder.
“Once Scagnelli walked in,” the senior forward and tri-captain Chris Francaviglia said, “I knew we were going to do it.”
The unlikely additions proved to be too much for Iona Prep to handle, as the Gaels managed just a single second-period tally after scoring four times in Game 2. “We came back to help,” said Scagnelli, a College Point resident. “We didn’t want to let the team down. We knew if we didn’t win this one, we were done.”
Although surgery is still on the horizon, Scagnelli reported no problems afterward.
“I just felt really good,” he said. “I didn’t feel any pain.”
Only joy, that is, after Molloy dominated the early going. Brendan Tracy scored seven minutes in from DiNubila, and Patrick Brown followed with 3:04 remaining in the opening period, going top shelf on a rebound off a Matthew Zay shot.
Senior goalie Michael Oseback (25 saves), meanwhile, was brilliant in the opening period. Covering up nearly everything thrown at him, Oseback was at his best during his busiest moments. “If you want to be a goalie, that means you want the spotlight,” Molloy Coach Rich Rodgers said. “Ozzy came up big for us.”
Francaviglia put the game out of reach midway through the second period when he beat Kasey King between the legs. Francaviglia carried along the left boards, speeding past a defender, going behind his back with the puck, before slipping it through. “It came to me at the spur of the moment,” he said.
From thereon out, the contributions of Scagnelli and DiNubila, combined with stalwart defenseman Jon Pflug, kept the Gaels at bay.
“I think we have the three best defenders in New York City,” Rodgers said.
The Stanners now move on to face the league’s flagship sextet, undefeated Fordham Prep (18-0). They’ve lost to them twice, both by scores of 4-1. But in the second meeting, Molloy (11-7) led 1-0 into the third period.
“I think we’re going to win,” Scagnelli predicted. “They’re not expecting [a challenge].”