Titans join Li’l Irish in one last on-ice remembrance for Mr. Nuch

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA

For 51 minutes on Sunday afternoon, Aquinas Institute and Webster Thomas battled for every inch of ice, every loose puck and every hard-to-come-by goal, with the Titans finally prevailing 4-2 in the Section V Class B championship game.

And then, after the trophy presentation, Li’l Irish players maintained what has become post-game tradition since the Jan. 30 passing of John Nuccitelli, the godfather of hockey at Aquinas.

They skated to the corner of the rink at SUNY Brockport’s Tuttle Ice Arena and knelt in front of the banner made in Mr. Nuccitelli’s honor.

“We’ve been doing it after every game since he passed,” Aquinas coach Chuck Dossier said.

Only this time, both teams took part. The Titans paused their title celebration and joined the opponents on a knee in the corner to pay their respects to Mr. Nuccitelli.

“The way he impacted the game, he really did so much for hockey and none of us would be here without him,” Thomas defenseman Aidan Stappenbeck said.

Before Aquinas players had skated toward the banner, Thomas coach David Evans asked Dossier if his team could join the moment of honor.

“It just shows how much Mr. Nuch did for Section V hockey,” Dossier said.