The undefeated varsity Iroquois Alden Chiefs battled through the 2016-2017 season to capture the opportunity to play in this years Super Sunday finishing league play with an impressive 19-0-1 record. After falling short last year in the final championships games in both Super Sunday and States, the Iroquois Chiefs made it their main objective to return to the Super Sunday Championship game.
Throughout the year, the Chiefs have shown drive and focus with the main objective being winning a slot in the Super Sunday Championship game. Returning players that experienced last years heart break in both Super Sunday and States, Cameron Giancarlo, Dylan Giancarlo, Owen Creighton, Garrett Miller, Cole Miller, Alex Held, Jamie Bonn, Joe Russo, Matt Majeski, Colton DeGrace, Colton Czajka, Spencer Hrynczak, Sam Rider, and Adam Czech led the charge for a return showing in the championship game. New comers Dalton Trites, Ryan Nehls, Danial Porzio, Luke Pukalo, Eric Najewski, Eric Mattoon, Nathen Nuwer, Nate Mathis, and Josh Harris stepped up to the challenge laid upon them for the push back to Super Sunday.
After a first round bye, the Iroquois/Alden Chiefs swept the Jamestown Raiders in a thrilling best of three playoff series 2-0. The first playoff game was played on the road at the Jamestown Savings Bank ice arena in Jamestown, New York on February 17, 2017. The Chiefs started the scoring in the second period when Danial Porzio (Iroquois) split the Red Raider defense for a breakaway which was stopped by the Jamestown goalie with Chiefs forward Nathan Mathis (Iroquois) tucking in the rebound for the goal. The second Chefs goal came in the 3rd period when sophomore Cole Miller (Iroquois) received a pass from Garrett Miller (Iroquois) on the point and fired a slap shot that was knocked down in front of the Red Raider net. Chiefs forward Spencer Hrynczak (Alden) collected the puck and roofed it passed the Jamestown goalie. The third Iroquois/Alden goal was a short handed breakaway. Junior Josh Harris (Iroquois) received a pass from Senior Alex Held (Iroquois) from the half wall in the defensive end. Harris split the defense and won the foot race down the ice. With a magical head fake that froze the Jamestown goalie, Harris was able to drive to the right side of the net and tuck the puck between the goalie’s outstretched leg and the post for the goal. Jamestown came back with an impressive offensive attack. But the Chiefs defense, led by senior Garrett Miller and back stopped by senior goalie Colton DeGrace (Iroquois), was able to limit the Jamestown Red Raiders to one goal which came at the end of the third period with a slap shot at the buzzer thru a screen of players. Final score on the road at Jamestown was Iroquois/Alden Chiefs 3, Jamestown Red Raiders 1.
The second playoff game was at Leisure Rink on February 19, 2017. The stands were loaded with fans from both teams. The first period was a tightly played game with the Chiefs scoring first. At 6:26 into the period, sophomore Dylan Giancarlo (Iroquois) broke out of the Iroquois zone with a 2 on 1 with junior Josh Harris (Iroquois). D. Giancarlo slid a perfect pass across the front of the Jamestown crease to Harris who slammed the puck into the net. Jamestown came storming back. With 2:44 left in the first period, the Red Raiders fired a shot from the slot with traffic in front. Chiefs goal tender Matt Majewski (Iroquois) managed to slap the puck out of the air with his stick and glove it as it was heading into the net. In a controversial call, the referee called it a goal due to the puck breaking the plain of the goal. The second period was packed with high drama and high emotion with a total of 9 penalties called between the two teams. Iroquois/Alden penalty kill was perfect with seniors Garrett Miller, Cameron Giancarlo, Nathan Nuwer, and sophomore Cole Miller killing off all four Iroquois/Alden penalties. The Chiefs scored their first of three goals during the period at 15:43 on the power play. Spencer Hrynczak (Alden) fired a slap shot from the blue line which was tipped by Nathan Mathis (Iroquois) past the Jamestown goalie. Iroquois came right back and scored their third goal of the game with junior Sam Rider (Iroquois) scoring from the slot with a pass from Luke Pukalo (Iroquois). Also assisting on the play was senior Joe Russo (Timon). Jamestown scored to close within one at 11:13 with a quick shot right from an offensive zone face off. Iroquois came storming back with another power play goal. Nathan Mathis scored his second of the game off a pass from Danial Porzio (Iroquois). Also assisting on the play was Spencer Hrynczak. The third period saw Iroquois/Alden score the only goal. Spencer Hrynczak scored on another power play with a pass from Nathan Nuwer (Alden) in the slot. Hrynczak fired a sniper type shot which beat the Jamestown goal tender over his left shoulder. The defensive core for the Chiefs was extremely strong in the third period. Defense included Cameron Giancarlo (Iroquois), Garrett and Cole Miller (Iroquois), Owen Creighton (Iroquois), Adam Czech (Alden), and Nathan Nuwer backed by goalie Matt Majewski who all held the Red Raiders scoreless in the third period to clinch a spot in the Super Sunday Championship Game.
