Patriots upset Reds
Hudson Rufrano came through in the clutch for the Saint Paul Patriots Wednesday.
The 16-year-old, Grade 11 student scored with just under two minutes remaining to break a 4-4 tie and give the Patriots a 5-4 victory over the Denis Morris Reds in the Niagara Catholic Athletics Zone 2 senior boys AA hockey final.
It is the first zone title for the Patriots since 2014.
“It was amazing,” Rufrano said. “It’s an honour to play for Saint Paul.”
Rufrano, whose father, Anthony Rufrano, was a well-known junior B player for the St. Catharines Falcons, Thorold Blackhawks and Niagara Falls Canucks, described the winning goal, which was scored off a scramble.
“Taylor (McQuillan) is an amazing player and he comes down the side, pushes for a pad and then it’s just instinct.”
Hudson Rufrano said the Patriots plan to enjoy the victory versus the previously undefeated Reds.
“We’re going to celebrate. Words can’t even describe it,” he smiled.
Patriots head coach Matt McCormack was all smiles as he stood on the ice afterward watching his players celebrate and pose for pictures.
“It’s awesome, we’re so proud of these guys” he said. “They battled. What a game. Just so proud of them. They’ve worked so hard all year and they deserve it.”
The Patriots, who finished with a 4-2-1 record in regular season play, did not seem intimidated facing the 7-0 Reds.
“I’m just happy that we capitalized on what we had to and that we came home with the victory,” McCormack said. “(We told them to) just get pucks to the net, get the red line, dump it in deep, and good things will happen.”
The Pats took a 2-0 in the second period before the Reds battled back to take a 3-2 lead. Saint Paul tied the game at 3-3 before DM went up again 4-3, setting the stage for a pair of late goals by McQuillan and Rufrano.
McCormack said there was no panic when the Patriots fell behind.
“Well, these players have been through this all year. They play minor hockey, they’ve been in situations, big games like that. And essentially, there’s 45 minutes to be played here and the game’s never over until it’s over,” he said. “These guys don’t quit. They don’t get down, and that’s huge.”
DM coach Billy McLaren tipped his cap to the Patriots.
“That’s a hungry, hungry team,” he said. “That wasn’t the same team we played in the first game of the year. It was a good game but they didn’t play near the calibre they played today. They played the right way and they won puck battles and every time we broke down they capitalized. It was impressive to watch, honestly.
“I’m happy for Matty McCormack. He’s turned that team around.”
The Patriots advance to the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) AA final Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Seymour-Hanna Sports and Entertainment Centre versus the winner of Friday’s Zone 4 final between the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs and Governor Simcoe Redcoats.
There is no Zone 3 representative since they play non-contact at the AA level.
STATS PACK
Patriots 5 Reds 4
Cat’s Caboose Player of the Game: Saint Paul’s Hudson Rufrano with the game winner.
Saint Paul Patriots: Rufrano; Taylor McQuillan 2; Sasha Ciampanelli, Luke Berezowski.
Denis Morris Reds: Tyler Thompson 2; Giacomo DelPriore, Connor Bolibruck.
Up next: The Patriots advance to the SOSSA AA final Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Seymour-Hanna Sports and Entertainment Centre versus the winner of Friday’s Zone 4 final between the Sir Winston Churchill Bulldogs and Governor Simcoe Redcoats.
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