Harvey School News

The Evarts Rink was packed Saturday, Feb. 29, with 300-plus students, teachers, administrators and parents cheering on the 21 Harvey hockey players who rose to the occasion and captured their first-ever FAA hockey championship with a thrilling 3-2 victory against reigning champion Rye Country Day School. The Cavaliers imposed their will physically and used timely goals and phenomenal penalty killing to beat the Wildcats who had pinned back-to-back defeats on the Harvey boys in FAA title games the past two years.

Harvey got on the board quickly. Just 51 seconds into the game, Will Welburn blasted a low shot from the point. The RCDS goaltender stopped the original shot but left a big rebound collected by senior co-captain Luke Baumgartner who then slid a backhand past the keeper to the far post for the score. It was the first lead that Harvey had against the Wildcats all year, and it sent the crowd into a frenzy. “We were hoping to get the first goal of the game, particularly to send a message that this game would be different,”’ said Harvey coach Alex Morse. Despite the fast start, RCDS would tie the game midway through the period after a forward found a loose puck in front. The period ended 1-1.

The second period saw Harvey regain the lead just over a minute into the period. The Cavs created a 3-on-2. With James Mettler controlling the puck, the senior co-captain went to the slot and fired a shot which was stopped, but senior Jacob Ross found the rebound and backhanded the puck past the RCDS goalie for a 2-1 lead. 

The goal seemed to inspire the Wildcats, who went on the offensive and at one point kept the puck in the Harvey zone for three straight minutes. Harvey’s defense bent but never broke. Sophomore Jake Hellinger, who was brilliant in goal all game, kept kicking rebounds to the corner or providing no rebound at all.  Hellinger finished the game with 40 saves. 

The work of the four defensemen, Aidan Cammisa, Tyler Lunny, Will Welburn, and Michael Martirano was exceptional throughout the period and the game. “Our defense did a great job covering in the d-zone,” Coach Morse said. “They also stepped up in the neutral zone and punished Rye forwards all afternoon,” he added

Overall, Harvey was the more physical of the two teams as seniors Harley Cohen, James Mettler, and Jacob Ross punished Wildcat forwards on the forecheck and finished their checks in their own zone. Sophomores Sammy Ross and Luke Potter also brought some big hits throughout the game. “Clearly, this was one of the reasons for the victory,” Coach Morse said. “We imposed our will on the game right from the start and when a few of the hits were deemed penalties, the penalty kill was there to bail us out,” the coach said.

The Cavaliers killed off all eight penalties they faced. They even killed two crucial 5-on-3’s, one in the first period and the other in the final period. “The various penalty kill units were quick to loose pucks and never let the Wildcats set up in the offensive zone,” Coach Morse said, adding, “Beside our physical play, our pk units were the difference in the game.”

Holding a 2-1 lead, the Cavs extended their lead with just under 10 minutes to play in the final period. Jacob Ross found Mettler in the slot and the captain found the upper corner, sending the Harvey faithful into delirium.  After killing the second 5-on-3, the Cavs were content to sit back and take away odd-man rushes. “We dumped and changed after 30 seconds to keep our forwards fresh,” said Coach Morse.

Rye Country Day had one last push, however. After pulling their goalie and creating a 6-on-5, the Wildcats earned a face-off in the Harvey zone with just 29 seconds left. They won the face-off and one-timed a shot past Hellinger to cut Harvey’s lead to 3-2. Desperate for a game-tying goal, the Wildcats got the puck in Harvey’s zone after the ensuing face-off and attempted a shot on net, but it was blocked by a diving Baumgartner. The Cavs chipped the puck out to the neutral zone and began the celebration of their first title.

Coach Morse shared his thoughts on the meaning of the championship victory. “The coaching staff is so happy for our seniors who have won a ton of games over the past four years but were never able to win the title. These guys stepped up over and over during the last couple of weeks. Today was certainly their finest effort of the season, as they played exceptional hockey in the biggest game of the year. Many thanks to all the fans who showed up today; they certainly inspired us to greatness.”

Harvey, the No. 2 seed going into the playoffs, finishes the year as the 2020 FAA champions with a final record of 15-3.

Harvey Hockey - 2020 FAA Champions!

Congratulations!!