Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina club hockey team scores two wins to advance to state semifinals

The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina club hockey team scored a pair of victories over Long Island foes today to advance to Sunday’s semifinal round of the state Mixed Schools Club Hockey championships being held at Jamestown.

Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina first defeated Wantaugh/Seaford 7-5 and then nipped Manhasset, the top seed from Long Island, 2-1.

In the first game, RBM erased an early 1-0 deficit as Jason Kuchey scored off an assist from his brother, Michael.

In the second period, Joe DiBenedetto scored off an assist from Dominic Peracciny at the 9:45 mark and just two minutes later Michael Kuchey netted a short handed goal as Jason Kuchey picked up the assist.

Jacob Harris gave RBM a 4-3 lead at the end of the period with a late goal.

In the final period, RBM closed out the victory as Dylan Kryzkowski scored from Tom Paisley followed by goals by Rhett Wagner and DiBenedetto.

In the second game, RBM broke away from a scoreless deadlock on a second period goal by Kryzkowski.

That narrow lead held up until the 10:25 mark of the final period when Wagner scored off an assist from Matt Saj for a 2-0 advantage.

The remainder of the game proved to be a real nail biter as Manhasset made the finish exciting by scoring with two minutes remaining.

However, RBM goalie Evan Birkemeir, who was outstanding throughout, was able to preserve the slender one goal win.

RBM will now take a 3-0 tourney record into tomorrow’s semifinals. If victorious they will play for the state AAU High School Club Championship later in the day.