Merokean Helps LI Hockey Take Silver at Empires

A Merrick teen helped the Long Island men's scholastic ice hockey team take home the silver medal at the Empire State Games last weekend in Buffalo.

Patrick Condon, a defenseman on the team, scored a goal in the second game of the tournament, helping Long Island defeat the team from the Adirondacks, 6-2. Condon's goal came on the power play during the second period, giving Long Island a three goal cushion at the time.

"There's a lot of people there watching," Condon said about his goal, "people from all different sports watching, people from all different parts of New York watching, so it was pretty cool hearing everybody cheer for you."

Condon also contributed two assists in the game; his three points on the afternoon led the team in scoring, en route to its first victory of the tournament.

Condon said the team was not sure if it had a chance to take home a medal after losing its first game to Western, who eventually took gold, and after Long Island was shutout in its third game against Hudson. The boys from Long Island were 1-2 in the tournament at this point, but all hope was not lost.

In its next game, against New York City, Long Island scored two goals in the second period, winning 2-1, and advancing to the silver medal game against Central. After being down by a goal early, Long Island scored the game's final three goals, winning 3-1.

"We lost our first game so we thought our chances to win silver were a little bit iffy," Condon said. "Once we found out we were playing for the silver medal in the last game we were pretty happy, right after we won we all got excited."

This was Condon's first time playing in the Empire State Games, and because of his 18th birthday coming up, will be his last in the scholastic division. Condon plays his travel hockey in Long Beach with the New York Apple Core.

Condon said the fan support for the Long Island team was great; a bunch of parents and other Long Island hockey teams made the trek to Buffalo to show their support.

"I loved it. It was cool because you had all these kids in the same boat as you," Condon said, "all the different sports team watch you play, and you get to go watch them play."

Needless to say, the experience for Condon and the rest of his teammates was a success. Condon's time in Buffalo can be summed up in a few words.

"Overall, it was just really fun," he said.