Last Sunday, the TABC JV hockey team took home the championship trophy after an exhilarating win against Frisch. Since the very first practice in September, the TABC Storm had one goal—to win the championship.
The season started off with a bang! In the first six games of the season, the Storm scored 25 goals and only gave up one. The team was on fire and could not be beat. The seventh game of the season was against the Frisch Cougars. The game was back and forth for a while, but Frisch got the better hand and won the game 1-0. The Storm did not lose hope. The loss at home just pushed them harder. The next game was at JEC and the Storm came out strong. Everyone on the team played exceptionally well that game and the Storm emerged victorious. The next game was the final home game of the season and, after the loss to Frisch, TABC was not prepared to lose another one at home. With great playing again from all five lines and a huge turnout of TABC fans, the Storm defeated the Kushner Cobras 6-1. The final game of the season against Frisch was a battle for the first seed and a chance for TABC to redeem themselves. Frisch fought hard, but they were no match for the playoff-ready Storm, who scored one goal in each period, winning the game 3-0.
After a fantastic regular season by the players and stellar coaching, the Storm entered the playoffs with considerable momentum. Having clinched the first seed, the first playoff game was in the weather center against Magen David. The game began slowly, with only one goal, scored by Levy, in the first period. After a serious locker room talk, the Storm entered the second period as passionate and energized as ever. With another great goal by Levy and alternate captain Shlomo Gellman, the crowd began to go wild. With an even better third period, the Storm netted four more thanks to Gellman, alternate captain Jake Rothenberg, Yosef Fleischman and a bullet slapshot by Baruch Karpov. After the 7-1 blowout, the TABC Storm sent a message heard around the league that they are a team to be reckoned with.
The next game against HAFTR was a close one, TABC entered the third period up two goals thanks to Jake Rothenberg and Eli Blumenfeld. The Hawks scored a third period goal to bring the game within one, but TABC’s astounding defense and remarkable goaltending helped secure the Storm a spot in the championship.
After a thrilling season, the TABC Storm were prepared for a championship rematch in Lawrence Middle after their loss last year to Frisch. With only a few practices left, the team did not rest. The Storm were not going to let everything they worked so hard for since September slip right through their fingers. Finally, March 18 arrived and the game was underway. There were some great chances on both sides in the first period, particularly when Ben Englander had an excellent shot that was almost cleaned up by his linemate, Ving Levy. The lefty duo had scored two goals in the Storm’s previous matchup against the Cougars and Frisch knew they had to contain them. The first period ended scoreless.
The second period began with an amazing pass by alternate captain Yonatan Naor to alternate captain Ezra Seplowitz, who hit the post. Later on, Gellman fed a great pass to his linemate Seplowitz, who again hit the post. With some more great chances by Rothenberg and Levy along with lockdown defense and goaltending, the second period came to a close with no goals.
After one final talk by their legendary coach, Norm Blumenthal, the team was ready to take home the trophy. The Storm came out strong and, after five minutes, Levy ended the stalemate with a beautiful goal, putting TABC up 1-0. With a strong offense throughout, thanks to Zach Levy, Jake Rothenberg, Jonah Gerson, Ezra Seplowitz, Shlomo Gellman, Ben Englander and Ving Levy along with phenomenal defense by Eli Blumenfeld, Baruch Karpov, Yonatan Naor and alternate captain Natan Rifkind, capped off with flawless goaltending by Charles Gibber, the clock wound down to zero with the storm up 1-0. The TABC fans (including students, rebbeim, teachers, family members and alumni) all ran onto the court and celebrated a second JV win following basketball. With Levy winning the MVP, the Storm continued their celebration into the locker room and handed out trophies.
All twenty-three players on the team each received a trophy for their hard work and unmatched effort. Each and every player are extremely grateful for the unbelievable work and dedication the coaches displayed. Whether in practice, games or off the court, the coaches (Norm Blumenthal, Tzvika Poleyeff, Avinoam Teplow-Phipps and Yosef Robin) never ceased to inspire and lead. It has been a great season and the teammates have formed bonds with each other that will never be broken.
By Ezra Seplowitz
