(Yavneh sports) On Thursday, May 30, the TABC gym was filled with excitement as the Yavneh Redhawks and the Ramaz Rams faced off in the YMSSA girls hockey championship. The stage was set for a riveting rematch between the top-seeded Rams and the second-seeded Redhawks, with anticipation running high after their previous year’s overtime battle in which Ramaz came out on top.

After team introductions and the national anthems, the game was underway! The game started off with some back and forth play, however not too long in, Yavneh was called for a hooking penalty. Yavneh’s penalty killing unit took the court and after a few close calls in their defensive zone, Abby Stamler was able to get the ball out of the zone. The clear bounced off of a Ramaz hockey stick right to Laila Nagel who shoots and scores shorthanded to give Yavneh the first lead of the night.

Not long after that, with 20 seconds left to the penalty kill, Yavneh gets called for a second hooking penalty to make it a Ramaz 4-on-2 power play. With the puck in Ramaz’s offensive zone for the entire 20 seconds, Ramaz got several very good chances, stopped by a very impressive 3rd penalty killer for Yavneh, goalie Rebecca Antonenko. Eventually, all the penalties were killed off and Ramaz was held scoreless.

Back and forth play continued for the remainder of the first period with both teams getting quality scoring chances. But it was with 1:14 left to the first period that Ramaz was able to clear the ball out of their zone for a bounce off the side wall stanchion right to the hustling captain, Livy Zwilliger who shoots and scores to tie the game at 1-1. Yavneh came right back with several quick scoring chances, but Ramaz goalie, Chloe Glasberg came up with some big stops to keep the score 1-1 at the end of the first period.

The first half of the second period saw momentum shifting back and forth between both teams as both goalies made great saves for their respective schools. But finally, with seven minutes remaining in the second period, after a back hand from Zwilliger misses the net wide, alternate captain, Ava Cohen stickhandles out of the corner and scores shortside, breaking the tie and bringing Ramaz up 2-1.

The score remained 2-1 for the remainder of the second period and into the third period. But Yavneh’s determination never wavered. Following the intermission, after some back and forth play, Yavneh’s Sophie Bistritzky clears the ball out of the defensive zone, which once again hits the side wall stanchion. Ramaz gets the puck and clears the ball off the wall right to the captain, Jordi Siegel who shoots top shelf and scores to tie the game up just one minute and 10 seconds into the period! The Yavneh crowd, who has been amazing all game, went wild! And the score is now tied with 10:49 to go in the game!

As the clock winds down, every play becomes crucial. Yavneh continues to come out strong following the goal with a great shift by Cindy Koolyk, Stella Welfeld, Laila Nagel and alternate captain, Arielle Rosenberg. Arielle took three great shots in a row, from the point, resulting in rebounds and great scoring chances, but goalie Glasberg was able to stop them all!

Ramaz’s Ava Cohen and Livy Zwilliger continue to put the pressure on as well with some impressive hockey play. But the game is still tied.

Finally, with 4:03 left in the game, it is Siegel who comes up with the decisive goal, for her second of the game. She takes the ball away at half court, and sets herself up for a shot, top shelf and scores to give Yavneh the lead, 3-2!

With the Yavneh crowd carrying them, the Yavneh players use all their remaining energy to kill time off the clock. Goalie Rebecca Antonenko finishes the game with save after save and Ayelet Fuchs takes 30 seconds off the clock in the final minute of play to maintain their one goal lead, as Ramaz makes their final push. The final countdown begins, and Yavneh is able to come away with the victory, 3-2!

As the celebrations ensued and the trophy was hoisted high, both Yavneh and Ramaz could hold their heads high, knowing they had left everything on the court in a game that will be remembered for years to come. Best of luck to all the graduating eighth graders—we hope you continue to play hockey for years to come! And congratulations to all the players, coaches and fans on a truly unforgettable championship showdown!