By Warren Kozireski —
Twins Adam and David Bullard each scored twice to lead third-seed Pittsford to a 4-1 victory over fourth-seed Portside to win their third Section V hockey championship over the past five years.
After a scoreless first period, Adam Pollard scored on a rebound from his own shot at 6:32 to put the Panthers ahead 1-0.
“It was great to be able to be the one that put in front; we’ve just been working really hard and it paid off,” Adam Pollard said.
The coaching staff paired the brothers on the same line about midway through the season. “We have a lot of chemistry together and are able to put up a lot of offensive pressure (and) a lot of points; it became a great line.”
After a disallowed goal due to a high stick one minute later, Portside tied the game as senior Justin Pastorella redirected a shot from classmate Landen Christ at 11:03.
But Pittsford broke the game open in the third period as David Pollard scored 3:14 in with an assist from his brother followed by a Ryan Schmalstitch rebound goal at 11:10 and an empty-net tally by senior defenseman Drew Ricketts with one minute remaining to seal the victory.
“He (Adam) just passed it to me and I was going in wide and saw an opportunity for a shot and it went in,” David Pollard said about his goal. “Any shot is a good shot in a championship game and anything can happen so I just want to put pucks on net and see what happens.”
“We had our ups and downs, they’re adjusting to me and I’m adjusting to them,” first year head coach Rory Foster said about the season. “I’m just happy for them that we have the opportunity to keep playing as a team and as a unit and it’s really just exciting to see them succeed.”
Pittsford advances to the state tournament and will play Section IV representative Ithaca Saturday at 4pm at Broome Community College.
(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)
