The Rye Hockey team picked up two key wins on December 19 and 20, first defeating Northeastern Clinton Central High 10-1 on Friday and then earning a much more impressive win over Beekmantown 4-1 on Saturday. The Garnets’ perfect 2-0 record earned them their second straight Applebee’s Winter Classic tournament after doing the same in 2024.
“We played a near complete game today against a very good Beekmantown team,” Head Coach Pete Thomas said after the second victory. “I’m really proud of how our guys set the tone and closed out this game.”
Rye’s Friday win over NCCH included five second period goals and four third period tallies for a final score of 10-1. Max Niejadlik scored a hat trick and his brother Will potted two alongside two assists. Eleven different skaters registered at least one point as the Garnets easily set a new season high in goals in a single game.
The following day, the Garnets went up against a much bigger, more physical opponent in Beekmantown. Jamie Morris scored first and last to sandwich a 4-1 victory. Both Niejadlik brothers scored in the game as well, with Ryan Draddy, Will Weinman, and Will Molin all picking up assists. Fernando Mosquera made 16 saves on 17 shots for his second win of the weekend.
Mosquera, both Niejadliks, and Morris were all named to the Applebee’s all-tournament team, with Max N. earning tournament MVP honors. The two wins pushes the Garnets to 5-1 on the season and gives them a signature in-season moment right before the holiday break. Rye is not back in action until January 7, 2026, at home against Pelham.
