State championship previews
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- March
- 14
For the first time since 1982, Section 1 will have two teams in the state final. But Mamaroneck and Pelham will have to go through the top-ranked teams in each division to win a first-ever state title for Westchester. We will be showing both games live tomorrow from the Utica Memorial Auditorium. In the meantime, here’s a preview:
Division II
Pelham (19-10) vs. Section 3’s New Hartford (27-2), 12:30 p.m.
Outlook: No. 2 Pelham meets top-ranked New Hartford, which is located just five miles from the host site. Pelham has reached the final of a team sport for the first time in history, while New Hartford is back for the first time since winning in 1997. Pelham senior Marc Flory is second on the program’s all-time list with 108 goals, while junior Mike Zalewski is the seventh-leading scorer in New Hartford history (153 points). New Hartford’s defense has allowed just 25 goals in 18 games, while Pelham has scored 42 during its eight-game winning streak. Also of note: Pelham has allowed the first goal in all five playoff games, while New Hartford has scored the first goal in all but three games this season.
Prediction: New Hartford would seriously challenge for the Division I title. They are as fast as any team in the state, and they have great depth. Though Andrew Emerson’s return is great for Pelham, it won’t help that Adrian Rivera (who had the winning goals in the sectional semis and finals) will have to sit out, or that while Pelham has had great fan support, the crowd will be titled toward the hometown team. The Pelicans are certainly capable of pulling the upset, but make no mistake — it would be an upset. New Hartford 4, Pelham 2.
Division I
Mamaroneck (26-2-1) vs. Section 5’s Greece Athena/Odyssey (26-0), 3:30 p.m.
Outlook: In a matchup of the state’s two top teams, No. 2 Mamaroneck rides a 24-game unbeaten streak against top-ranked Greece Athena/Odyssey, the only undefeated team remaining. Mamaroneck senior Brett Jackson leads a balanced scoring attack, which gets production from all three lines, while the Thunder are led by Section V West Division Player of the Year Eric Gunderson and sophomore Riley Bourbonnais, who is already the program’s all-time leading scorer. There is one common opponent — the Thunder beat Suffern 4-2 while Mamaroneck tied the Mounties 2-2 and beat them 2-1. Mamaroneck has advanced to the state final for the first time, while Greece won in 1996 before it split into two high schools.
Prediction: Greece has some real star players, but Mamaroneck has more depth and should have an advantage as the game wears on. The Tigers have also shown an ability to knock off unbeaten teams in the playoffs (Suffern last year, the baseball team beat LaSalle in the spring). Greece will be the toughest team Mamaroneck faces all year, but the Tigers have responded to every challenge so far. With all the state-ranked teams, two teams in the state final, multiple upstate tournament titles — Section 1 has really come on strong this year, and I think Mamaroneck puts the icing on the cake. Mamaroneck 4, Greece Athena 3.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at 10:00 pm by Harold Gutmann. 
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Pelham has the spirit and drive to pull it off! Go Pelicans! and good luck Mamaroneck Tigers….what a year for Section 1!
Good luck Mamo.. You can co this…
“That just happened” -Ricky Bobby
I think i speak for all section 1 hockey fans, players, and coaches when i say that we’re very proud of what Pelham and Mamaroneck have done so far. One more game boys, you can both do it!!!
Whatever happens, westchester hockey is on the map in NY, now, and forever.
Great job chap and ed! make us proud.
(next year have the finals at MSG)
Thank you Harold and the Journal News, for putting the games on the web! My family from all over the country have been able to watch and feel like a they were a part of the whole thing. You made this run very memorable for us all.
Go Pelham, Go Mamaroneck!
Thats one for the Glaser’s picture frame:
http://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/images_sizedimage_073175342/resources_photoview
Good Luck Mamaroneck and Pelham, everyone downstate are rooting for you!
Last blog or so someone was aksing “why it was important that Glaser played baseball. Points were made that he is an outstanding athlete, not just a goalie. The picture on Ta-Da’s entry illustrates his athleticism. His baseball skills certainly came in handy here. And the save was even more amazing than the picture can illustrate. At that point it was 4-1, if Niagara scores here, it was early enough for them to get back in to the game and get momentum. Minutes later Mamaroneck scored and then it was Good Night Irene.
It’s great that two section 1 teams are in the finals today.
Are the 2 teams fan bases supporting each other? I’m sure the answer is yes. But would love to hear if the Mamo fans will be attending the Pelham game and if the Pelham crowd stays and roots for Mamo.
Congratulations to both teams on a great year and go get’em today.
Has New Hatford played any local teams in the area?—How’s their strengh of schedule
Showdown for Greece/Athena today.
Tigers, leave them “Thuderstruck.”
That’s “Thunderstruck.”
Lets go Pelham & Mamaroneck! You can do this!
Im sure Chap let the boys know it was a nice win, but lets face it we beat much better teams along the way. They are about to face the best team they will play all year. They will have to play smart “pinching has to be controlled” and the penalties will have to be at a minimum and Luke will have to steal a couple of goals like he did yesterday in order for Mamo to win it. Flip a coin, the first team to three wins the State title. I say 3-2 Mamo
New Hartford 5-1 over Pelham
Way to go Pelham and Mamaroneck! Good Luck and bring home state titles for Section 1.
ok so I was off by a goal.
ok I got the score right, but the wrong team won.