The #1 Rye Hockey team fell in overtime in the Section 1 championship game, losing 3-2 to #3 Byram Hills. The Garnets outshot the Bobcats 51-29, but it was not enough for them to defend their sectional crown.
“We carried play, completely shut down all five of their power play chances, went 1-for-2 on our PP, and outshot them 51-29,” Head Coach Pete Thomas said after the game. “When a game goes to OT, you never know who will get the bounce. They did today.”
Both of Rye’s goals came from Max Niejadlik, his first on the man advantage and his second at even strength to tie the game at 2-2 with 12:21 to play in regulation. His brother Will set him up with a beautiful cross-ice pass on the first tally to break a 0-0 deadlock in the second frame. His second goal came off a rebound from a Jake Souza point shot.
Byram Hills won the game at 9:31 of the extra session to clinch the Sectional championship and earn an automatic bid to the State tournament.
Although Rye may have been unlucky on the ice, they do have some good fortune in their back packet: 2026 is Section 1’s turn to send an at-large bid to the State tournament. Thus, Rye’s season is not over, as they will get a second breath. Their next opponent will be the winner of Section 5. The Garnets enter the tournament at 16-3-3, 1-1 in the postseason.
