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By TIM IRVING
Churchville-Chili hockey coach Brian Young doesn’t know exactly when it was but the Saints beating perennial powerhouse Webster Thomas in hockey hasn’t happened in a while.
Until the Tuesday before Christmas.
Junior Max McKay scored three goals including the game-winner in a 5-4 victory over the Titans at Scottsville Ice Arena.
“There’s so much chemistry between those three guys (Shane Giralomo, Tyler Eberhart and McKay), you look at every game we play, it’s a goal and two assists with their numbers,” Young said.
Eberhart started the scoring just over three minutes, scoring in front.
Four minutes later, Thomas responded when Travis Peters’ shot from the point stopped in the crease for Brady Hall to knock in.
With 1:32 to play in the first period, the white line struck again, Giralomo feeding McKay in front for a 2-1 lead.
The second period saw up and down action with Hall scoring his second of the game after Trevor Veno brought the puck into the zone.
Five minutes later, McKay took a pass from Trey Eberhart on the left side at the red line, cut in front and scored his second to give the Saints the lead.
Two minutes after that, the Titans equalized again when Joey Cresimanni skated in from the right circle and fired a wrister home.
With 2:42 left, still in the second period, James Southcott tipped the puck free and broke in on goal, giving Churchville a 4-3 lead heading to the third.
“We’ve gotten those breaks before, our guys look for it but it’s not a system we run, “ Young said of the rushes that gave his team the lead.
Five minutes into the third, the Saints defense left a puck sitting next to their own net, Dylan LaChance swooped in and fed Veno to tie the game at four.
It seemed destined for overtime but the Saints’ top line had other plans.
With three minutes left, Giralomo won the puck on a forecheck and had his shot stopped where McKay put in the rebound and the game winner.
“His hands are incredible, amazing ability to handle the puck, he’s got a long reach,” said Young.
Liam Letters stopped 30 shots for the Saints while Jackson Gruttadauria stopped 20 for the Titans.
The win goes a long way heading into a Holiday break.
“They need the break. We’ve got flu running through the team, injury so, it’s a perfect chance for us to take 10 days off.” Young said.
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