BYSNS enjoys historic postseason run

No. 3 BYSNS (Brewster/Yorktown/Somers/North Salem) had a historic postseason run come to an end with an 8-0 loss against No. 1 Suffern, the two-time defending state champion, in the Section 1 Division 1 championship game at Brewster Ice Arena on March 1.

While the loss was disappointing, it could not erase what the Bisons accomplished this season, especially the contributions of seniors Henry Rossi, Paul Rienzi, Lucas Salvatore (captain), Patrick Vaughn, Ryan Dean (alternate captain), Ryan Sandhop, Greg Marotta, Jordan Millar (captain) and James Munoz (captain).

“These seniors have made history and have left a stamp on this program forever,” said BYSNS coach Ryan Langkafel. “Their dedication to each other and this sport was amazing and as a result of that they had a record-breaking season. These seniors have won the league, reached the semifinals and reached the section finals all for the first time in the BYSNS [seven-year] program history.

“I am so proud to have coached these young men for four years, and I am so happy they were able to see the success that they did. They will always be a Bison, and they are now onto the next chapter of their life.” 

BYSNS defeated No. 2 Rivertown in a Division 1 semifinal at Westchester Skating Academy in Elmsford on Feb. 27, thanks to 42 saves by Vaughn.

With 1:35 remaining in the opening period, Ryan Dean scored to tie the game at 1-1.

“We went on the power play as we were down 1-0 and I was playing net front,” Dean said. “Millar shot it from the point, and the rebound went to Rilind Berisha. Berisha then passed it to Munoz at the point, and he shot it and I deflected it in.”

Millar (1G, 1A), with assists from Zyggi Nemzer and Munoz (1G, 2A), put the Bisons up 2-1 before Rivertown tied it late in the second period.

Third period goals by Munoz, assisted by Millar and an unassisted score by Rossi, with 1:06 left in the game, gave the Bisons the victory.

“We were able to break the tie because one of our players (Sandhop) got injured and I feel like that gave us so much motivation to do it for our teammate and to win the game,” Dean said. “We played absolutely amazing that game and it was great to come out with a huge win.”

The Bisons (16-4) also defeated No. 6 Scarsdale 3-2 at the Brewster Ice Arena on Feb. 25 in a quarterfinal matchup.

“It was a great team effort, we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game,” Langkafel said. “Scarsdale is experienced and had a great work rate, we turned to our team game and were just relentless with our effort and the chances came from winning battles.”

Salvatore (2G, 1A), Munoz (1G, 1A), Millar (2A) and Jake Leavy (1A) led a well-balanced Bisons’ offensive attack.

“All the goals were generated from a team effort. That’s been our goal as the year went on, attack the net with numbers and with the talent we have they can battle and find pucks as well as pick a corner with a shot,” Langkafel said. “Lucas and James did exactly that.”

Vaughn made 28 saves against Scarsdale.

“Defensively we simplified the game, backchecking and clearing the zone when we could, Patty Vaughn stepped up and had an excellent game, Paul Rienzi and Jordan Millar had some huge blocks down the stretch and Jack Leavy chipped in with an amazing pass for the game- winning goal,” Langkafel said.