Ice Hockey Review: Lakeland/Panas Season Ends Players Earn Honors

The Lakeland/Panas Rebels may have not enjoyed the season they were expecting record wise, finishing 8-12-2. However, they did have some individual players who earned well deserved honors.

Senior forward and co-captain Robert Caffrey, was named both all-section and all-league. Senior forward Frankie Celentano was named all-league while classmates Sam Vaimberg (forward), Nick Chiapparino (goalie) and Richie Santini (forward) were named all-league honorable mention.

“It shows how our program has grown,” Caffrey said. “It grew a lot last year making it to the sectional finals. It’s real important. They are individual awards but it says a lot for our program.”

With Caffrey earning all-section honors, it is only the second year that a Rebel earned such lofty acclaim. Last year both Caffrey and Rob Belger received that honor.

“To get all-section again is special,” Caffrey said. “As for the other guys and their awards, it just shows how hard the guys worked like Frankie, Sam, Nick and Richie. It was good to see them acknowledged. Hopefully, that will continue on with next year’s group.”

Caffrey, who was on the varsity the last three years, led the Rebels this season in goals (42) and points (72) and was the co-leader in assists (29) along with Celentano.

“The guys around me, they pushed me a lot and my coaches are great, whether it’s ice hockey, soccer or lacrosse,” Caffrey said. “They are always there for me; they always want me to do my best. I just never was satisfied; I would just push myself harder. I think that was a lot of it.”

The Rebels finished the season with a first-round victory, a four-overtime classic against Clarkstown 7-6 in the Section 1 Division 1 Tournament before losing to White Plains 5-3 in the second round.