WINNING WEEKEND--SECTION 9 CHAMPIONS

After five months of hard work the Burke Catholic Varsity stormed through the Weekend in dramatic fashion to clinch their second consecutive Section title. Victories over league opponents NFA( 4-1), Monroe 5-4, O'Neill ( 8-1) left no doubt about their championship status

The winning weekend kicked off with a 4-1 victory over NFA. With the Goldbacks clinging to 1-0 lead late in the second period, the Eagles leading scorer Jayson Healey wristed a shot into the upper corner of the net to get things even; the Eagles never looked back.

Sophomore Josh Koerner (2g) and Chris Reinfried(2a) teamed up to score two shorthanded goals while Tommy Mahoney added a power play goal to seal the contest. Senior goaltender Dane Wakefield steered aside all but one shot as the defense allowed only 11 shots on net. The offense blasted 48 shots on their opponents.

On Saturday , with the opportunity to clinch the section title, the Eagles responded with a gritty winning effort . Two seniors , Andrew Keating and Taylor Stuart, teamed up with what would be the most exciting play of their Eagle careers.

With just over a minute remaining in a classic 4-4 Burke/Monroe battle , defensman Keating pinched along the offensive blue line- fighting his way to the corner with the puck. A quick pass to the front of the net found a scrum of players and Taylor Stuart waiting to finish off the Knights.

Taylor's first goal of the season secured the win and the Championship; Final Burke Catholic 5 Monroe 4.

Jayson Healey, Josh Koerner, Mark Woinicki, Chris Reinfried accounted for the balance of the scoring. Senior Goaltender Dane Wakefielded stopped 22 of 26 shots.

With title in hand, Sunday's contest vs O'Neill was an exclamation point to the regular season. Seven different players found the net with Jayson Healey again leading the charge with two goals and an assist. Josh Koerner completed his terrific weekend ( 4 goals) with a third period tally. Final score Varsity 8 O'Neill 1.

Sunday's game also featured ' Senior Night' as seniors and their parents received recognition for their participation in the Burke program.

Senior Dane Wakefield (our resident quote master) summed it up best. " I think we really came together as a team".

With the victories, the Eagles improve to 16-4-2. A February 22nd meeting with O'Neill at Icetime will decide which team will represent Section 9 in the Div 2 State regional in Potsdham March 7th.

Notes: Thanks to Tim Hluchan for the Photos--No Thanks to the Th-Record for no coverage of the team's accomplishments. Two years running they have provided no coverage on our Section wins.

Weekend Schedule:

Monday--Regular practice

Tuesday--Cycling fitness at YMCA-4:30pm

Wednesday--Varsity game vs ST.Joes at Sport-O-Rama--3pm

Wednesday-- All players -JV/VARSITY- friends - family- invited to open skate 7-8pm. No Hockey equipment.

Friday--Varsity practice 4:15pm

Sunday -- Div 2 Championship--Burke vs O'Neill 6pm