The Watchung Hills Junior Warriors mites team season came to an end on Saturday March 8, 2014 with 5-2 loss in the MCYHL Championship final to Beacon Hill from Summit. The game was a close game until the end, with the Jr. Warriors playing a tight defensive game in front of goalie Nicky Alvin.
Warriors defensemen Mike Wilson & Jack Fidacaro played stingy defense throughout the contest to hold the Beacon Hill club to no goals and a 0-0 tie after one period. In the second period, the Warriors had several good opportunities led by Peter Dasilva and Jess Dai, only to be turned away by the Beacon Hill club. Daniel Gallant and Sawyer Flynn led several good rushes of the puck while on defense, which gave the Warriors excellent scoring chances. Beacon Hill was able to capitalize on 2 quick goals in the 2nd period, followed by a Warriors goal by Jack Fidacaro off a feed from Jess Dai and Brendan Dowd, which ended the second period with Beacon Hill leading 2-1.
The exciting third period showed the Warriors were giving their all, steady defense by Orestes Antippas and several offensive chances by Bennett Lavoie, Timmy Jelinek and Brady Sifert were turned aside by the tough Beacon Hill defense. Beacon Hill took a 3-1 lead on an early goal in the period, but the Warriors fought right back with several chances by Julian Joglekar, Cam Jelinek and Aidan Wilson being turned away by the Beacon Hill goalie, before a goal by Jess Dai off a pass from Fidacaro and Daniel Gallant brought the score to 3-2 with time running out. Olekos Antippas had a good chance stopped by Beacon Hill, who quickly rushed down the ice and scored after a scramble in front of goalie Nicky Alvin, which led to a 4-2 score.
The Warriors pulled Alvin for an extra skater with a minute and a half left in the game, and mounted feverish pressure on the Beacon Hill club but were unable to bang the puck home. Beacon Hill was able to score an empty net goal as time was running out, and the game ended 5-2. After two straight Playoff wins against Randolph and Morristown, the Warriors ended the successful season with an 11-5-2 record, and bringing home the team trophy for the Championship game runner up. The team will now look forward to their season ending banquet on March 21st at the Long Hill Elks, in which team signups for next season are open at 5:00 pm for any newly interested players.
Watchung Hills Jr. Warriors Hockey Club 