Massena Takes Third In Weekend Hockey Tournament

The Massena boy's hockey squad skated to a win and a loss on Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11 in a round robin tournament on their home ice.

The Suffern Mounties, who hail from Rockland County, took first place. The Mounties' Kevin Hill was named tournament MVP. Second place went to the Lancaster Redskins, who made the trek from Erie County. Massena took third and the Potsdam Sandstoners took fourth.

The Raiders made a dramatic come-from-behind overtime victory on Friday, Jan. 10. They pulled off four goals in just over 10 minutes on the ice to take a 4 – 3 victory over the Lancaster Redskins.

The contest was marked by intense, rough play with players being leveled left-and-right. After a scoreless first period, Lancaster jumped out to a 3 – 0 lead by the end of the middle marker. Their first goal came on a powerplay at 1:37 off the stick of Ryan Dye, Ryan Haines assisted. Massena's Devin Page had been serving 1:30 for boarding. Just over two minutes later, Massena netminder Jeffrey Bain had come out of the net and attempted a pass. But, Lancaster's Josh Grazon intercepted the puck and flipped it into the empty net. At 10:39, Cole Brooks took a slapshot from about 10 yards out and raised his team to a 3 – 0 lead, a powerplay goal. Jon-Paul Chauvin had been sent to the sin bin, 1:30 for slashing.

In the third period, the Red Raiders awoke from their slumber.

Patrick Manning sparked the epic comeback at 6:37, connecting a slapshot from about 20 feet out. He scored on a powerplay; Sean Gonenflo was cited 90 seconds for interference. Wyatt Wilmhurst followed his lead. He fired a high shot at 9:52 that sailed over the Redskin goalie. He dove low, anticipating a lower trajectory. At 13:23, Tyler Young would take a pass from Dylan Stone and Manning to notch his first of two markers to tie the game, a powerplay goal. The goal brought the ecstatic Raider fans to their feet. Massena's victory came swiftly as overtime commenced. After 1:07, Young took a pass from Stone and found the back of the Redskin net. The Raiders went wild, clearing the bench and conglomerating in celebration.

Massena's Bain stopped 38 shots. Lancaster's goalie, whose name was not legible on the official scoresheet, was credited with 13 saves.

The Raiders' Young and the Redskins' Grazon were awarded the title of players of the game.

The Raiders fell by a 5 – 3 decision to the Suffern Mounties the following afternoon.

Massena jumped out to a quick 1 – 0 lead at 2:39. Tyler Young, who ended the game with a pair of goals, connected on a play set up by Ben Sprague and Ryan Moffitt. The point came on a power play where C.J. Greco was docked 90 seconds for tripping. Just under 12 minutes later, Young broke away and fired a slapshot past Nick Modica. He was unassisted.

The Mounties tied the game by the end of the second period. Kevin Hill got his team in motion at 1:39, with a hand from Greco. Hill faked to Connor Paquin's stick side, ending with a successful high wrist shot to the glove side. Massena was quick to regain their two-goal advantage. One minute later, Sprague found the back of Suffern's net, unassisted.

The next step up the ladder for the Mounties came at 9:03. Dan Demarco scored on a pass from Tom Brennan and Greco. The goal appeared to be a fluke. He fired into Paquin's chest, the puck bounced up over his shoulder and landed behind him inside the net. Hill scored his second goal on what appeared to be a fluke at 10:39, tying the match. He quickly weaved his way through Massena defenders as he approached the net. He tapped it through a defender's legs and took a successful wristshot to Paquin's glove side. Demarco forcefully threw himself into the boards with both hands to the air in celebration as his teammates embraced in celebration.

About 4:30 into the third period, Suffern was at a five-on-three advantage. A pile-up near the Massena net had resulted in three players being sent to the penalty box. Massena's Young and Dylan Stone, both key players were cited for roughing after a Suffern skater appeared to make contact with Massena's netminder. Suffern's Greco was also called. Demarco took advantage of the powerplay. He received a pass from Tim Patwell, flipping it over Paquin's shoulder on the stick side. Just over five minutes later, Michael Ruthberg would knock in an insurance goal, assisted by Demarco and Patwell.

Paquin kept 25 shots out of the Raider net, Modica deflected 36 pucks for the Mounties.

Player of the game awards were given to Modica and Sprague.

Massena now hits the road to face the Potsdam Sandstoners on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and the Salmon River Shamrocks on Monday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m.