BY RANDY SCHULTZ—
BUFFALO, NY – Of the trio of games played on Super Monday at KeyBank Center, the biggest upset of the night came in game three. That game saw the underdog St. Mary’s Lancers upset the two-time defending NYS Catholic champion St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, 3-2.
The victory capped a magical season for the Lancers. St. Mary’s had left the Section VI Hockey Federation following the 2014-15 season.
The Lancers returned to the Fed for the start of the 2016-17 season and now, just a season later, win the Niagara Cup.
St. Mary’s opened the scoring at 5:56 of the first period on a goal by Lucas Prince, with Daniel Pfalzer assisting. But the Marauders came back less than three minutes later to tie the score when Spencer Frome managed to put the puck across the goal line, with assists going to Max Wopperer and Jayden Baldinelli.
St. Joe’s took a 2-1 lead at the 10:40 mark of the second period on a goal by David Matthew. Frome and Ethan Louisos assisted.
As time began running out in the third period, things looked a bit bleak for the Lancers. But a St. Mary’s miracle was about to happen.
Half-way through the period the Lancers tied the game on Brendan Krawcyzk’s goal, with Prince and Dantonio assisting.
With less than two minutes remaining in the third period and St. Joe’s breaking in two-on-none, on the Lancers goal, St. Mary’s goaltender Kyle Karoleski made an incredible blocker/pad save.
Just seconds later, at the 13:25 mark, Joseph Henry broke the 2-2 tie to give the Lancers the lead which they never relinquished. John Galvin and Chris Henry assisted on the winning goal.
St. Joe’s outshot St. Mary’s for the game, 28-15.
