Dubset going to West Point
-
- February
- 28
White Plains will be going for its first sectional championship in 30 years on Sunday, thanks to nine unanswered goals against two of the top 5 teams in the state. The Tigers shut out Suffern for the second straight time, winning 3-0 at Sport-O, after scoring six straight to beat Clarkstown North 6-4 on Wednesday.
Mike Pavarini was the star of the game, making 35 saves (22 in the third period), but of course it was a team effort. The first line of Aaron Klimchuk, Dan Broderick and Steve McCarrick created both goals (defenseman Ryan McGee added an empty netter), the second line kept up the pressure and the defense of McGee, Harrison McCandless and Jack Peeples stood strong.
It was White Plains’ first-ever win against Suffern at Sport-O (and just its second win against Suffern in the program’s 40-year history, after a 4-0 win at Ebersole three weeks ago). The Tigers forechecked hard, got the puck deep, made smart passes, cycled the puck, and got in front of the net. Plus their goalie stood on his head.
My story has reaction from Pavarini, McCandless and coach Howie Rubenstein. It also has some facts about Klimchuk, who scored the winner with three minutes left in the second period — he missed the quarterfinal game with food poisoning, he came over from RCDS as a defenseman this year, he was one of three juniors who missed their junior prom last night (along with McGee and Jeremy Lindh), and perhaps most interesting of all, he wore No. 10 last night instead of the usual No. 27 because assistant coach Mark Sanchez, who wore No. 27 for the Tigers, is taking that uniform with him when he ships out to Iraq soon (he’s in the Army Reserves).
I asked Rubenstein about what’s different this year: “Our defense is a lot better this year, and we play a little different system. We get pucks deep, we’re not relying on our speed to get the puck in all the time. We just want to chip it in and make the other team work.”
Their opponent Sunday at 4 p.m. will be the Tigers from Mamaroneck (fast fact — what’s a group of Tigers called? Click here for the answer.) Mamaroneck scored six straight to beat Mahopac 6-1. Brett Jackson had three goals and two assists, including a goal 12 seconds after Mahopac scored to go up 1-0. Also, senior Sean Hagan (two assists) set the school record for assists by a defenseman (144). Dan Marra was at Hommocks for that one.
Mahopac was still within 3-1 and had a 5-on-3 to start the third period, but the Tigers killed that off. Mamaroneck also scored six unanswered to beat North Rockland 7-2 in the quarterfinals.
I’ll post a finals preview after the Division II semis tomorrow, but I did want to look back for a second and congratulate Mahopac and Suffern for making it this far. The Indians actually started 4-11 before coming up with some big wins against teams like Pelham and White Plains, and of course they got past a really tough Lakeland/Panas team in overtime to make it back to the sectional semifinals. With only three seniors graduating, the future looks bright for next year. Meanwhile, the Mounties lost five starters off last year’s incredible team — the word “rebuilding” was even thrown around a little bit — but a host of newcomers, led by goalie Paul Gabriel, really took advantage of their opportunities and Suffern was 30 seconds away against Mamaroneck from winning another League 1 title.
I’ll be back early tomorrow with a look at the Division II semifinal matchups. And the results from the latest poll are in — 81 out of 132 thought the Section 1 finals should be at Tate Rink.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at 1:25 am by Harold Gutmann. 
Print
| 
Email
First off -Great season Suffern
Congrats to White Plains, what a run beating 2 ranked teams!
I am a fan of both teams because I know most of the kids on both teams.My opinion on the big game goes like this,The fact that WP beat mamaroneck this season is good for mamaroneck.This was a major wakeup call for them.In the first meeting mamo came into this game with a business as usual mind set never thinking they would lose but they did.
WP AT THE TIME WAS 4-2-1 and seemed very beatable.The second meeting between the two was won by Mamo easily.
Mamaroneck has played upstate tournaments where WP has basicly played a local schedule.Based on these two factors I think mamo comes out of the gate hard from start to finish because they know what WP is capable of.Plus to much at stake here the game means to much.
Close game Mamo 4 WP 2
Congrats to the streak/ambush of tigers (WP and Mam). Should be a fun final at West Point. Section 1 will be well represented. Anybody who doesn’t think it’s a good idea to play at West Point, go. You will love it. I get a swell of patriotism before I even make it thru the gate. And the arena is the best in the NY ‘burbs. How could it not be great, it’s the US Military Academy! ARMY!!!
Also congrats to ALL the Rockland programs for a great year.
Each team had their challenges, and each team’s story is unique and interesting. The players and coaches deserve a high five!
What does Dubset refer to?
Congrats to WP. Your boys played a great game. Obviously, your goalie mad some incredible saves and won the game for you. Best of luck tomorrow!
To our coaching staff. Thank you! My boy had three fun years playing for you guys. The first two on the bench and you know what? He was honored to be to be there, because he was part of a program with great tradition. You guys showed him if you work hard good things happen. Thank you for making him a better young man.
DUBSET HOCKEY LETS GO BABYYYY
Is a nickname for white plains. WP- Dub P – Dubset
DOOO WORKK BOYYS!!!!
a final without a team from rockland…how refreshing. i dont care who wins, its just nice that you wont have the crybabies from suffern or north there.
very sweet indeed.
GO TIGERS!
DUBSET!!!! DUBSET!!!! DUBSET!!!!