While most teams competing in the MYHSAL varsity hockey league started their run for the title in mid-February, when the playoffs began, SAR had set out on their journey months before. The Sting established themselves as one of the top dogs early in the season, hunting for their first varsity hockey championship in school history.
Back in November, the Sting captured two dominant wins over Frisch and Rambam to improve to 4-0. Undefeated, SAR looked to continue their dominance and lock up home court advantage for the postseason. However, just days after their triumphant, 8-1 win over Rambam, the Sting suffered a devastating 2-1 overtime loss to TABC at the Hive. The loss set SAR behind TABC in the standings, and with difficult matchups against Frisch, DRS, and TABC still on the horizon, the Sting would need to play some of their best hockey to re-claim and secure first place.
SAR was unfazed by the challenge at hand though, collecting an easy 5-1 victory over the Frisch Cougars on home court. Later that week, the Sting voyaged to the Green House for a date with the defending champions, DRS. The two squads dueled it out until the final buzzer, but the Sting managed to narrow out the Wildcats 2-1 to improve to 6-0-1 on the year.
On Thursday, December 7, the SAR Sting sailed across the Hudson to take on the undefeated TABC Storm at the Weather Center. Despite the popping student section, SAR remained focused and hungry for revenge. A hat trick from the captain, Gordie Kolb, helped propel the Sting to a statement-making, 6-0 win. After taking care of business in their most important games of the year, SAR found itself with a league-leading 8-0-1 record. The Sting eventually swept up five more wins against weak opponents to close out the season at 13-0-1, good for first place.
The first seeded SAR Sting opened up the playoffs at home on Monday, February 26, when the North Shore Stars trekked out to Riverdale for a quarterfinal contest with the Sting. The Stars, being the heavy underdogs, entered the Hive hoping to execute a major upset.
North Shore surprisingly stuck with the top-ranked Sting team for the opening minutes of the game, keeping the score at 0 apiece. However, the Sting reminded the Yeshiva League why they are the number one seed, shaking off the rust and pouring on four goals to close out the first period. Their relentless offense only strengthened in the second, tacking on an astonishing 8 more goals to their total. The Sting netted a lone goal in the third and shutout hockey from goalies Henri Kolb and Bentzion Fiorino gave SAR a 13-0 dub to advance to the semifinals against HAFTR.
After defeating MTA in the quarterfinals, HAFTR was given a shot to topple the league favorites, SAR Sting. The Hawks entered the Hive determined to stump SAR. The Hawks stayed with the Sting early, creating some chances on the offensive end of the rink; but a HAFTR penalty gave the Sting a power play with under five minutes to play in the first period. The Sting capitalized on the man advantage, as Gordie Kolb nonchalantly tapped in a beautiful, back door feed from fellow-captain, Jason Burian. A couple minutes later, Burian added a goal of his own after a slick move from Kolb left a juicy rebound in front of the goalmouth for an easy cleanup. The Sting’s two late goals had them up 2-0 at the end of the first.
The level of play intensified in the second when senior Judah Fortgang zipped a laser through the five-hole—increasing the Sting’s lead to 3-0 early in the second. The Hawks didn’t let up though, drawing a much-needed penalty following the Fortgang score. Fortunately, the Hawks captain, Jacob Kramer, found the back of the net as he flew down the left wing on the man advantage—cutting the Sting lead to two. SAR quickly answered though, as Romi Harcsztak found Burian cutting to the net, who rifled it home for his second of the game.
The two squads continued to battle in the final frames of the second and into the third, but Burian’s second lamp-lighter would be the final score of the evening. As anticipated, the Sting are rolling on to the finals with another win—this one a 4-1 victory at home.
The Sting’s next test will be their last of the seemingly never-ending season—a tilt with the Frisch Cougars at Lawrence Middle School. A relentless Sting squad against a sizzling hot Frisch team—coming off two upset wins at DRS and at TABC to advance to the finals. While the Cougars look to complete their Cinderella story, the Sting are ready to give them a reality-check. Regardless, only one champion can be crowned on Sunday, March 18.
By Henri Kolb, ‘19
