Storrs, CT – The third game of the day at UConn brings us the Elite 8 championship matchup. Avon Old Farms vs St. Mark’s for the Elite 8 championship. Anthony Palmer is in goal for Avon, and Aaron Alves-Thomas for St. Marks.
Unfortunate start for Avon, whose goalie, Palmer, gets hurt less than three minutes into the game. Great opportunity for Will Bagot to show what he’s got. Avon hits the power play, and Caiden Pellegrino gets the puck up ice and leaves it for Evan Nee, who is unable to bury the wide-open chance with a great block in front by Maksim Yakub. Shortly after, St. Mark’s hits the power play, but no goal to show for it. Avon, with under 10 minutes, establishes a great offensive zone possession and is able to capitalize. Puck pops out to Aiden Strzelecki, who one-times it in, 1-0 Avon. With around 4:30, we got to see 4 v 4 hockey for around a minute and thirty seconds; both teams can be dangerous here. Neither team was able to capitalize with the extra ice, but with 1:44, Nico Ciardiello scored with a great shot cutting into the slot and shooting against the grain. Avon up two after one.
Avon wastes no time in the second period, scoring their third goal of the game. Grover Henderson slides the puck over to Tucker Harris, who taps it in. St. Mark’s finally gets on the board with a shot from the perimeter from Will Manchuso that takes a bounce off an Avon defender and in. The joy for the Lions would be short-lived. Jacob Jett finds a seam and beats Alves-Thomas to make it 4-1 Avon.
The majority of the third period was dominated by St. Mark’s, searching for a way back into this game. Physical game and a lot of scrums, emotions high throughout this period and the game. Bagot has been excellent in this game. St. Mark’s has thrown a lot at him, and he’s been up for the task. Timeout with 3:10 left in the game, Lions are looking for Pellegrino, Nee, and Manchuso to strike quickly with the net empty. Avon takes a penalty with a minute and twenty-nine seconds left, 6 on 4. Lions are able to get one, Cam MacPherson. Avon is able to suppress the St. Mark’s onslaught and hold on to become the Elite 8 champions.
Three Stars
First: Will Bagot
Second: Grover Henderson
Third: Nico Ciardiello
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images