BYSNS season ends in OT against Suffern

BREWSTER, N.Y. - The no. 8 BYSNS (Brewster/Yorktown/Somers/North Salem) knew they were going to have their hands full when they traveled to No. 1 and defending state champion Suffern at Sport O-Rama Ice Rinks in Monsey on Feb. 25, in the quarterfinals of the Section 1 Division 1 Tournament. 

BYSNS was equal to the task especially Patrick Vaughn, who gave an all-time performance in goal, before Suffern won in overtime 4-3, ending the visitors’ season. 

“Patrick did amazing in goal, we have so much confidence in him, and we know if he can see the shot clearly and defensively we can avoid any deflections, he will make the save every time,” said BYSNS coach Ryan Langkafel. “Patrick recorded 50 saves, and that is a testament to his abilities, mindset, and skill to compete in big moments. He is never concerned about that ones that get by, he has a great attitude to just focus on stopping the next shot.”

Without Vaughn’s heroics, the Bisons’ valiant effort would not have been possible.

“His performance certainly kept us in the game and we are so proud of how he played,” Langkafel said. “It is unfortunate we couldn’t get the result we wanted for him, and the rest of the team, but it was an all- around effort that the team will be proud of, and it is one this program will remember.”

As for the team’s performance as a whole, Langkafel was ecstatic about that as well. 

“I was so proud of our team’s effort against Suffern,” Langkafel said. “We knew we could compete with them and we had the belief that we could beat them. The players were dialed in to our practices leading up to playoffs and our game plan was set to play against anyone and be successful.”

Kaden Krempler and Lucas Salvatore each scored in the first period, with both goals being assisted by AJ Jones, giving BYSNS a 2-0 lead going into the second stanza.

“We know Suffern has played in big games so we knew we would have to start the game off strong to send a message to ourselves and them,” Langkafel said. “Getting out to a lead, gave us the opportunity to control the game and manage it. I feel as though we did that very well. It was unfortunate that some penalty calls were made against us and a team like Suffern will capitalize on those opportunities.”

Suffern answered with two goals in the second period to tie the game at 2-2 before James Munoz, off an assist from Michael Bonelli, gave the Bisons a 3-2 advantage five minutes and 45 seconds into the final period. 

The Mounties, though, rallied to win the game with a goal in regulation and another one in overtime. 

“When James scored that third goal, it sparked our team again since we lost some momentum after Suffern tied it up at 2-2,” Langkafel said. “We always believed in ourselves the whole game and that was a moment that we felt the game plan was coming to fruition. It was an amazing moment looking back on it for James. The effort led by AJ Jones, Lucas Salvatore, and Michael Bonelli along with the rest of the team proved their perseverance, and commitment. It proved to everyone that the we can beat any strong team.”