Yorktown Upsets JFK/PV in Second Round

PUTNAM VALLEY—The John F. Kennedy Catholic/Putnam Valley high ice hockey team earned the second seed in the sectional tournament and had a first round bye before facing the seventh seed Yorktown last Wednesday and losing, 5-3. Despite the seeding, coach Steve Santini did not view the loss as an upset.

The Gaels were eliminated from the playoffs by Yorktown last week. SKIP PEARLmAN “There was a lot of parity in the league this year,” said coach Santini. “The margin between teams was very slim, anybody could beat anybody.”

Yorktown got the games opening goal from Joe Castellano in the first period to take the lead despite being out shot 14-5.

“We were down, but we felt like we were dominating the game,” said Santini.

In the second period Kennedy/Put Valley got two goals to take the lead, but during the intermission coach Santini warned his team. “I told the guys this game was far from over,” said Santini. “Yorktown is a good team, they have a ton of experience with 16 seniors and they are a blue collar team that is not about to give up.”

In the third period his warning would come to fruition.

The Huskers’ Michael Sullivan scored the game-tying goal with about 12 minutes left, Joe Bonitatibus knocked in a goal to give Yorktown a 3-2 lead with about six minutes left, and then Derek Decora scored a goal to pad the lead.

JFK/PV scored a goal to cut the lead to 4-3 but was not able to get any closer. Yorktown added an empty net goal with only a few seconds left to seal the win.

Steve Santini scored the first goal for JFK/PV and also had two assists, Dylan Rooney added two goals. Chris Considine and Sam Loizeaux each had an assist. Luke Martin had 15 saves for JFK/PV and Shane Ruiz had 35 saves for Yorktown.

“The speeches at the end of the season are always tough,” said Santini. “We lose a few guys but we are optimistic about moving forward.”