Massena sees progress, yet falls in quarterfinals

MASSENA — The game was closer, which is exactly how Massena hockey coach Joe Phillips wanted it.

The only problem was that the final result was still the same.

Mamaroneck's Rob Fine scored on a wrist shot with 1 minute, 59 seconds left in the second overtime as the Tigers of Section 1 edged the Red Raiders, 5-4, in a state Division I quarterfinal matchup Saturday at Massena Arena.

Mamaroneck (25-2-1 overall) blew out Massena by five goals in a nonleague game three weeks ago at the same venue. But a crowd of over 1,200 fans watched the Red Raiders (18-7) compete with greater fervor in defense of their state championship.

"They were a lot more physical," Tigers coach Michael Chiapparelli said. "Honestly, they wanted to clutch and grab a lot more, but it was both ways. The last time, we had a little more freedom."

The Tigers managed to exact appropriate revenge on the Red Raiders. Massena eliminated Mamaroneck in overtime in the state quarterfinals last year. This time, the Tigers earned their first trip to the final four in 10 years.

Neither team established an offensive rhythm in the first period, thanks to countless hits and a focused Massena defense. Phillips said he threw out the tape of the Red Raiders' last game with the Tigers and placed greater emphasis on limiting their scoring chances.

"We just wanted to get it over to the weak side and clear the puck," Phillips said. "The pass could go over there and we could get it out there, or if it opens up, we could spread them out and race out of our zone."

A scoreless opening frame was countered with a breathless second period. There were four lead changes and three ties in the stanza. Massena sophomore Nick Pichette scored twice, and his older brother, Nate, assisted on three goals. Nate, a senior forward and captain, facilitated the Red Raiders' offense with an unrelenting approach.

Even Phillips was surprised with the playmaking ability of Pichette, who finished the season as Massena's leading scorer.

"I thought he played above his head," Phillips said. "Tonight was a night where we were riding his back a little bit more. He just played a very sound game. We put a lot of pressure on him."

Sophomore Conor Riley banged in a rebound off a Nate Pichette shot for a short-handed tally to give Massena a brief 3-2 lead. Fine responded less than a minute later by scoring off a deflection on the power play to knot the score for Mamaroneck. But the wild second period ended with another Nick Pichette goal to make 4-3 at the second intermission.

The Red Raiders had one major defensive relapse early in the third period that proved to be costly. Scott Hagan scored his second goal of the game at 1:51 for Mamaroneck, which forced overtime.

The two teams exchanged scoring opportunities for an extra 13 minutes, until Fine ended Massena's season. He split two defenders before sending his wrist shot past Red Raiders goalie Josh Holmes for the game-winner.

"I always tell him in a big game that 'It's going to be a Fine night'," Chiapparelli said. "He had a chance off the boards earlier in the period that he just missed. I told him if he took a wrist shot, he'd beat him. And that's what he did."

Holmes registered 30 saves for Massena, while Mamaroneck goalie Luke Glaser finished with 23.

BURKE CATHOLIC 4, SALMON RIVER 0

Mark Woinicki had a goal and an assist to lead the Eagles past the Shamrocks in the state Division II quarterfinals in Fort Covington.

Josh Koerner, Jay Healey and Chris Reinfried added scores for Burke Catholic.

Jake Lazore stopped 16 shots in net for Salmon River (16-11-1).

BOYS BASKETBALL

MASSENA 55, OGDENSBURG FREE ACADEMY 53

Matt Perry's double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds led the Red Raiders in the Section 10 overall championship in SUNY Potsdam.

Cody Clary added 13 points for Massena (18-5). It is the first year since 1988 that both the girls and boys champion are from the same high school.

Gene Bouyer had 18 points and 17 rebounds for the Blue Devils (18-6).