In its third year since merging, Batavia Notre Dame is seeking its first NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division II title. The United are appearing in their first NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division II final four. Skaneateles is looking to repeat as Division II champions and win its fifth title in school history. Here’s what you need to know:
BATAVIA NOTRE DAME UNITED (22-2-0/Independent Division)
vs.
SKANEATELES LAKERS (22-1-0/Division II/Section III)
How they got here: Batavia Notre Dame (No. 2 NYSSWA Division II) got a first-round bye to the quarterfinals where they picked up a 6-1 victory No. 8 seed Geneseo/Avon/Livonia and then defeated No. 5 seed Canandaigua 5-4 in the semifinals to secure a spot in the finals. The United claimed its first title with a 3-2 overtime win against No. 3 seed Webster Thomas in the Class B championship and defeated Kenmore East 3-2 in overtime in the NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division II Western Regional game. Skaneateles (No. 1 NYSSWA Division II) opened sectionals with a 13-1 victory over Whitesboro and then won the Section III title for the fifth year in a row with a 8-1 win over CBA-JD. The Lakers opened up their state tournament with a 5-1 victory over Webster Thomas.
Trends: Batavia Notre Dame has won 21 of its last 22 games. The United has scored four-plus goals in 15 of those contests. Skaneateles is currently on a 13-game winning streak. The Lakers have tallied seven shutouts during that stretch.
Players to watch for Batavia Notre Dame: Ivan Milovidov Jr. F 30 goals, 29 assists, 59 points; Jameson Motyka Jr. F 23 goals, 26 assists, 49 points; Brady Johnson So. F 19 goals, 24 assists, 43 points; Joe DiRisio Sr. F 17 goals, 20 assists, 37 points; Rhys Tanner Jr. G 21-2-0, four shutouts, 2.00 goals against average, .917 save percentage.
Skaneateles: Jack Torrey Sr. F 15 goals, 28 assists, 43 points; Andrew Gaglione Sr. F 20 goals, 19 assists, 39 points; Cole Palmer Jr. F 11 goals, 24 assists, 35 points; Luke Mizro Jr. F 18 goals, 16 assists, 34 points; Danny Angelina Jr. G 21-1-0, 11 shutouts, 0.74 goals against average, .956 save percentage.
Coaches: Marc Staley (Batavia Notre Dame), Mitch Major (Skaneateles)
History 101: Batavia is seeking its first NYS Division II championship. Skaneateles is seeking to repeat as Division II champion and claim its fifth title in program…
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