The Titans’ final show
March 6, 2024 at 11:17 p.m.
After the Rye Town-Harrison Titans defeated the Rivertown Legends on Saturday, Feb. 10 at Westchester Skating Academy in Elmsford, they moved to their second round of playoffs against Cortlandt on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at Playland Ice Casino in Rye.
As the team entered the second round of playoffs, a profound sense of accomplishment and anticipation was felt, the air filled with determination while each player was aware of the stakes at hand. The players and coaches curated a game plan on how to move forward, they looked back on the season they had had so far, and how far they had come leading up to this moment. Each player was filled with a mix of emotions, each play and each move were crucial to what would come next and the outcome. Once the players stepped onto the ice, not knowing if it would be their last time for the season, all the effort that was put into practices, games, and training fueled them with ambition. At this moment all that mattered was executing all the hard work the players had put in to get there.
“Facing Cortlandt we got out to a fast start, scoring two goals, then we got away from shooting and our game plan,” said Coach Rich Myers.
Players Julian Gahr (Harrison sophomore) netted two goals, and Sean Mohr (Rye Neck junior) netted one. Players Alex Sabino (Harrison junior), Peter Boraczek (Harrison sophomore), Billy Villanova (Port Chester sophomore) and Mohr each assisted one.
“We were flat for the rest of the game until a huge turning point, CJ Stumpf’s (Blind Brook junior) save on a penalty shot in the second period,” said Coach Myers. Goalie Stumpf realized a total of 20 saves. This 3-1 triumph represented the culmination of hard work and dedication throughout the season.
Following their victory against Cortlandt, the Titans progressed to the section semi-finals against Clarkstown on Thursday, Feb. 22 at Playland Ice Casino. Entering a semi-finals game is not just a physical endeavor, but a mental and emotional journey. All emotions had rushed through each player's head, all nerves had been heightened, the same sense of determination, ambition, anticipation, and drive from their previous game had arisen. As past victories fueled the players with confidence, past defeats gave them a hunger for redemption. The pressure of this game and the understanding that this defining moment could hold such a huge chapter in their journey weighed on each player.
“It was the biggest game a lot of these kids have played in their high school career, and they were tentative at first, but they never gave up,” said Myers. “They played their hearts out to the last seconds of the game.”
Though this tough loss marked the end of the 2023-24 season, all the other triumphs drowned out this one loss. “The season was a huge success and will not be marred by one loss,” said Myers. The season ended, but the players' spirit of resilience and passion for the game will endure, paving the way for future journeys not just on the ice, but off as well.
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