One of the greatest rivalries in Yeshiva sports was showcased last Wednesday night between crosstown rivals TABC and Frisch. In a hockey doubleheader, both the junior varsity and varsity teams for each school battled for positioning in the postseason. The varsity matchup came first, sparking an evening of intensity and competitiveness on both benches. In a December battle in TABC, the varsity Storm emerged victorious. However, Wednesday’s game was played in Frisch, a building that no player on the TABC roster had ever won in as a member of TABC Storm hockey. Using that as motivation, the varsity Storm came out strong and captured a first period 1-0 lead on a goal scored by senior captain Efraim Tiger. As the game progressed into the second and third periods, Frisch began to control the game. Despite the pressure, TABC’s junior goaltender Avrumi Davis put the team on his back. After an empty net goal scored by senior Yitzy Kopstick, the varsity Storm secured a 2-0 shutout victory. TABC enters the postseason with a first round bye, and Frisch will host a first round game against the Kushner Cobras.
Following the varsity matchup, the junior varsity teams took the court. After a loss to Frisch earlier in the season, TABC needed a victory over Frisch to regain first place in the Western Division. The JV Storm came to play, scoring late in the first period on a goal by sophomore Ben Englander. The Cougars threatened to score on several power plays in the first and second periods, but TABC’s goaltender Charles Gibber stood on his head, keeping his team in the fight for first place. Following a second goal by Englander, the Storm held a 2-0 lead over the Cougars at the end of the second period. The third period featured more success for TABC, as they went up 3-0 on a goal by freshman Baruch Shmukler-Karpov. The Storm held on for the shutout win earning first place in the division. TABC will host Magen David Yeshiva at the TABC Weather Center, and Frisch will host DRS in first round playoff matchups.
In another doubleheader sweep for TABC hockey, the junior varsity and varsity teams took a crucial step in their road to the championship.
By Akiva Hain
