Larries respond, reach semifinals
NEWBURGH — A slow start on the road against Section 9 champion Burke Catholic on Saturday didn't stop the St. Lawrence Central hockey team from earning a trip to the state Division II Final Four.
After falling behind by three goals when the Eagles struck for their second straight shorthanded goal with 3 minutes, 30 seconds left in the first period, the Larries stormed back with five goals over the final 3:17 of the opening frame and then added another goal in the first minute of the second period en route to a convincing 7-3 victory.
"In my 27 years around the sport of hockey, I've never seen a first period like that," said SLC coach Mickey Locke.
"Two of their three goals were breakaways and all three were scored by the same player. Both teams really came out with a lot of nerves."
With its seventh win in the last eight games, SLC improved to 17-7 and advances to the state semifinals in Utica at 5:45 p.m. Saturday against the winner of Section 1 champion Rye and Section 2 champion Queensbury.
The host Eagles grabbed a quick lead when senior standout Josh Koerner converted on a pass from junior Jason Healey just 58 seconds into the game. Koerner then made it 2-0 at the 8:36 mark with an unassisted shorthanded goal and then pushed the Eagles lead to 3-0 three minutes later when he completed his natural hat trick while the Larries were on the man advantage at the 11:30 mark.
But on the ensuing face-off, Brady Helmer broke through for a power play goal off an assist from Dylan Patterson just 13 seconds later. Brett Mahoney made it a one-goal game when he scored from Helmer with 3:17 left in the period. Charlie Dullea then pulled the Larries even 33 seconds later with an unassisted goal before Patterson stepped up and blasted home a shot from the high slot with 40 seconds remaining for what would stand as the game-winner. Helmer then capped the decisive late-period surge when he struck for his second of the game only 16 seconds later.
At the start of the second period, the Larries connected again at the 59-second mark as Dullea scored from Blake Baldwin. Helmer completed the SLC scoring when he finished off a play set up by Zach Baldwin with 2:01 left in the second.
WEST GENESEE 3, POTSDAM 1
Two second period goals lifted Section 3 Division I champion West Genesee past Section 10 Division I champion Potsdam. Adam King scored two goals, and Erick Hanley added a goal and two assists for the Knights. Anthony Millitello posted 14 saves in net.
Seth Adams scored to give Potsdam a 1-0 lead in the first period. Evan Drummater made 36 saves for the Sandstoners.
