Massena to Compete for Section 10 Division I Hockey Title

The Massena Red Raiders will compete for the Section 10 Division I championship after taking down the visiting Salmon River Shamrocks 4 – 3 in double overtime on Saturday, Feb. 15. The Raiders will play the Potsdam Sandstoners on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. at Cheel Arena, Potsdam.

Salmon was leading their match against Massena 2 – 1 going into the third stanza, but the Raiders came back and tied it up before claiming their win in the second sudden death period.

For the game's opening goal, Nate Smoke passed around the back of the Raider net to Chad George. He launched a high shot over Connor Paquin, who dove to the floor in attempt to save. Skkylar Thomas was also credited with a helper on the play.

Several minutes before George's goal, Salmon had a close call. Netminder Jarraad Jackson had dropped his stick as Massena made repeated scoring attempts close to the crease. Jackson quickly received a regular stick from a Shamrock defender who then dove to his knees and tried to push the puck away from the Raiders with his hands.

Sean David lifted the green-clad contingent to a two-goal lead 1:27 into the second period. After getting the puck from Jackson, he went on a breakaway to the right side of the net and connected top shelf. The goal was his first of a pair.

Massena sparked their comeback at the end of the middle frame. Tyler Young took a pass from Ben Sprague and Dylan Stone to put the Raiders on the board with less than two minutes to go.

After returning to the ice for the third stanza, Patrick Manning quickly connected on a pass from Wyatt Wilmhurst, tying the contest with his first of two goals.

The scoreboard went back to Salmon after another 11 minutes when David notched his team's final marker of the night. He took a pass from George and bested Paquin and a defender. Paquin dove to knock the puck away and another Raider threw himself to the ice behind the goalie, but David saw an opening and poked the puck into the net.

With one minute left in regulation, Coach Mike Trimboli decided to swap his goalie for a sixth skater and it worked. After encircling the Shamrock net and moving the puck from player to player, Maddox Merry connected on a high wrist shot, tying the bout and forcing overtime. The assist went to Josh Blair.

Three minutes of the first overtime period had fans from both sides on edge as the sides were cited penalties and swapped consecutive five-on-four advantages, but neither team was able to capitalize.

After 4:32 passed in the second overtime, Jordan Robert passed to Manning, who blasted a high shot past Jackson for the game-winner. The Massena fans went wild and the Raiders piled against the boards in celebration.

Paquin kept 24 shots at bay for Massena. Jackson worked the Salmon River crease for 42 saves.

On Tuesday, Feb. 11 the Raiders won their regular season home closer against the Canton Golden Bears 8 – 1.

Ryan Thomas, who ended the game with four goals, opened the scoreboard 2:30 into the match, assisted by Evan Kassian. Jeremiah Reagan notched the game-winner 1:15 later on a play set up by Bailey Hewitt.

Matt Mende tallied the lone Canton goal at 7:53, taking a pass from Tanner Sanderson and Mark Mahoney.

Patrick LaGrow would put two more Massena markers on the board before the end of the first period. Assists came from Patrick Manning, Jordan Robert, Maddox Merry and Josh Blair.

Dylan Stone and Thomas added Massena goals in the middle stanza at 5:01 and 9:05. Robert, Manning, Ben Sprague and Tyler Young lent helpers.

Thomas tallied his final two goals in the closing frame at 1:05 and 14:27. Manning and Reagan assisted.

Massena's Connor Paquin earned 16 saves. Jake Facey made 36 saves for Canton.