Midget B’s win EAHC crown

GENESEO — Winning a championship is always a thrill.

Winning a close one-goal game on their home ice for the Empire Amateur Hockey Conference title will be a lifelong memory for the Livingston Blues Midget B squad, who captured the crown last Saturday night at the Wilson Ice Arena at SUNY Geneseo.

The No. 3 seeded Blues fell behind 2-0 to top-seeded Brockport before scoring the game’s final three goals in succession as they defeated the Eagles 3-2 for the championship.

Jared Schutz (Geneseo) scored with just 1:35 remaining in the game for the winner for the Blues as they got the thrilling victory.

Things didn’t look good early for the Blues as visiting Brockport scored on a power play with 8:10 left in the opening period and then scored again with 13:54 remaining in the second stanza off a power-play to open up a 2-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for the blue and gold to slice into Brockport’s lead. With 11:25 left in the second, Cam Seeley (Livonia) fired a wrist shot that found the mark on a power play goal assisted by Jack Mekeel (Avon) to make it a 2-1 game.

After the Blues continued to battle on the defensive side of things, a 5-on-3 power play opportunity presented itself with just 3:26 to go in the second period.

That time frame would be just right as Chris Wilson (Livonia) took a pass from Colin Callan (Caledonia) and one timed it into the back of the twines knotting the score at 2-2.

Defense continued to be each team’s fortay in the third period, but when a loose puck in front of the net slipped free, Schutz buried it home with just 1:35 remaining to give the Blues the 3-2 advantage.

With just 19 seconds left in the game, Wilson would win a crucial face-off in the neutral zone that saw the puck slide back into the defensive end as time expired giving the Blues the title.

Netminder Dom Chamberlain (Perry) was phenomenal between the pipes as he recorded 27 saves.

Colin Callan was named Gatorade Player of the Game for his outstanding effort.

“At no point in this game did this team feel like they were out of it,” said head coach Jim McLaughlin. “They just kept on winning the little battles throughout. In the beginning of the year we set a goal to win the league championship. Its an absolute great feeling to know that these boys accomplished that goal. They were on a mission today, and throughout the playoffs, were determined to let every one know they were the best team on the ice.

Dakotah Thompson (Nunda) and Chamberlain split duties throughout the year in goal as they combined to have a league-best 2.33 GAA.

“Dakotah was the goaltender that got us to this game by playing outstanding in our semifinal game,” said coach McLaughlin. “I have to thank assistant coach Phil Sweet and manager (and wife) Linda McLaughlin for all their help and dedication.”

Congratulations to the E.A.H.C. champions whose roster includes Colin Callan (Caledonia), Dominic Chamberlain (Perry), Paul Gohlman (Geneseo), David Gugel (Livonia), Jamie Lerner (Geneseo), Jimmy McLaughlin (Dansville), Jack Mekeel (Avon), Jared Schutz (Geneseo), Joe Sciandra (Livonia), Cam Seeley (Livonia), Dakotah Thompson (Nunda), Nate Williams (Geneseo) and Chris Wilson (Livonia).