Pelham Pelicans Win the Section I Championship

Though Sunday marked the Rye Garnets fifth consecutive appearance in the Section I ice hockey finals, the Pelham Pelicans swooped in to take home the championship title in a 1-0 victory at West Point Military Base.

The Pelicans have been flying to new heights as of late, storming a late-season winning streak where they ousted the likes of Brewster and John Jay in the Section I playoffs.

Sunday proved no different.

As the Pelicans hit the Holleder Center on the West Point Military Base, with hundreds of fan in tow, the players bore an undeniable confidence and eagerness.

"Joe seemed to keep to himself today but didn’t really lose any sleep last night over the big game," Mary Curto said about her son.

After the puck was dropped, fans watched both teams skate up and down the ice throughout the first period, without finding the net. Pelham had eight shots on goal in the first period and 10 more in the second. But goaltender Aaron Rix of Rye kept shutting down the Pelicans scoring opportunities with one brilliant save after another.

By the start of the third period, tensions mounted as both teams sensed the urgency to score, to avoid overtime.

Jessica Constantine, a 6th grade Science teacher at Pelham Middle School, trekked to support some of her former students.

"These guys do a great job balancing their studies with hockey and love to help out in the community with some of the youth hockey players from Pelham," Constantine offered. She had the opportunity to watch these athletes evolve from sixth grade newbies to varsity champions.

About two minutes into the third period, Will Donovan received a great feed from forward Andrew Schauer and scored the game's only goal, giving the Pelicans the 1-0 lead and the eventual final score.

“Schauer went to the net, made a good pass to me and I took the shot,” stated a beaming Donovan after the game. “I was definitely nervous, with all the fans that showed up and how big a game this was, but my teammates encouraged me and I was ready to play.”

Regina Hall, a mother of two players, said that seeing these guys make it this far has gotten her excited for her own boys' athletic options. "I hope to see one of my boys skating for the Section I championship one day. Pelham has such a great hockey family,” stated Hall

For Rye, the 27 saves made by Aaron Rix was the lone bright spot on what otherwise was a dismal performance for the Garnets.

 “Everyone did exactly what they were supposed to do and I’m so proud of these guys,” remarked head coach Ed Witz.

Because of the team's effort and diligence, fans will now be treated to one more home game for 2011. Pelham is slated to face off against Burke Catholic School, from section nine, for the NYS Quarterfinals on March 5 at 4p.m. at the Ice Hutch.