Hockey Beats DeMatha, Earns Top Seed In MAPHL Playoffs

Cole Vallese ‘20 scored with 3:26 left in the third period to lift the V1 Hockey Eagles to a 2-1 victory over DeMatha and to the MAPHL AA regular season title. The Eagles finished the league season undefeated (10-0-1), with the only blemish a 3-3 tie against Mt. St. Joseph's in their first league game of the season on Nov. 13.

In a tight checking contest at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel, Gonzaga got on the board first at 2:18 of the second period when Henry Middlebrook ’18 took a shot from the point that found its way past a screened Stags goaltender. The Eagles’ penalty killing unit also played a role after they did not allow DeMatha (9-1-1) to score during a five-minute major penalty for boarding.

DeMatha then tied the game at 2:47 of the third period with an unassisted goal. On Vallese's gamewinner, Kurt Bruun ’19 dug the puck out of the corner and passed to Will Rosen ‘19, who found Vallese alone in the slot. Vallese's backhander beat the Stag goalie high on the glove side.

Dominic Basse ‘19 made 24 saves in the game, while DeMatha's goalie faced 19 shots and made 17 saves.

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Go Gonzaga!