The Rye Hockey team took full advantage of their auto-bid to the New York State quarterfinals on Saturday, March 7, as they defeated Section 5’s Aquinas 4-1 to keep their season alive. The Garnets parlayed their at-large bid to the Regional championship game into a spot in the NYS Frozen Four next weekend thanks to this crucial win.
“Our goalie stepped up for us today – especially early, because we were on our heels at the onset,” Head Coach Pete Thomas told MyRye.com after the victory. “But, as is our M.O., we responded and provided some goal support that he would make stand up.”
Fernando Mosquera stole the show with a remarkable 50 saves on 51 shots and the win as Rye was under siege for large stretches of play. The junior has now made 90 saves in the Regional final (State quarterfinal) over the past two years combined, allowing just four goals.
Jamie Morris scored the game-winning goal short-handed as part of a two-point night. Will Niejadlik (two assists) and Kai Brittain (Rye’s third goal, one assist) also co-led the Garnets with a pair of points. Colin Nigro scored on the power play to get Rye on the scoreboard, and Ryan Draddy iced it with an empty netter late in the third. Max Niejadlik and Trevor Dolan got on the scoresheet with an assist apiece, although Mosquera was the most important player for the Garnets from start to finish.
After losing in the Section 1 championship game while recording 51 shots on goal, Rye has now won while ceding that many shots (unofficially) just one game later.
Rye (17-3-3, 2-1 postseason) advances to the State semifinals next Saturday, March 14, up in Buffalo. They are two wins away from a potential State championship.
