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BREWSTER, N.Y. – Mamaroneck hockey coach Mike Chiapparelli took a little longer than usual Sunday in the post-game meeting with his team.
Chiapparelli did so to help his team deal with a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Suffern in the Section 1 Division 1 hockey final at the Brewster Ice Rink.
Mike Redgate’s goal on a deflection with 2:29 remaining capped a Suffern rally. The Mounties forced the extra period on a Nick Jaeger goal with 58 seconds left in regulation.
“I told the guys I was proud of them, they played a gutsy game, and they played as a team,” Chiapparelli said. “They played as well as they played all year. Both teams left it on the ice.”
Mamaroneck scored twice in the second period to take a 2-1 lead on a goal by captain Trey Herlitz-Ferguson and a short-handed score by captain Peter Conley.
Senior goalie Tom Brill took it from there, as he made numerous fine saves to maintain the one-goal lead. Jaeger’s tying goal came off a bad bounce.
Brill is one of 10 seniors who were instrumental in leading Mamaroneck back to the Section 1 Division 1 final for the first time since 2009. Following the game, captains Ted Bellis, Josh Kriss, Herlitz-Ferguson and Conley accepted the Section 1 runner-up plaque with class and dignity.
“The four captains are one of the best I’ve ever had from a leadership group on or off the ice,” Chiapparelli said. “They’re a great group and the seniors are a great group. You can’t replace them as captains.”
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