Saugerties Mustangs Win AHF 14U Gretzky Division Championship!

For the first time in Saugerties Mustangs history, an AHF championship banner will be hanging from the rafters at Kiwanis arena. The Mustangs finished the regular season ranked seventh in the twenty team division that uses the Krach rating system. Twelve teams made the AHF playoff tournament, which took place February 21-23 near Philadelphia, PA. 

The 14U A team finished the AHF regular season with a 10-6 record, earning the North subdivision spot in the playoffs. Despite entering the playoff weekend with only nine skaters for the first game of the preliminary round, the Mustangs won the first game 2-1, behind a 2-point game for Aidan Cody and a stellar performance by netminder, Kai Liu. Early the next morning, the Mustangs were defeated 3-1 in their second game. Game three turned out to be a must-win game for both teams and the Mustangs stormed out to a massive 7-1 win. Tyler Little lead the Mustangs with a 4-point game, while Dante Trocino and Mason Gamache each had three points, and Michael Krebs and Kai Chen each had 2 points while playing defense. That win secured a spot early Sunday morning in the AHF Gretzky Semifinals.

The Semifinals was a rematch of their first playoff game of the weekend. Tyler Little tied the game at 1 in the second period off an amazing stretch pass by Kai Chen. Dante Trocino potted our second goal, while Mason Gamache had the final two goals for the Mustangs. Kai Chen had two assists in the game while Michael Krebs led all Mustangs with a three assist effort from the blue line. Although the crew earned a banner in this game, they took it in stride knowing they were on the verge of something special with one more game, that not many thought they could be in.

The miraculous playoff run would conclude with a Championship game with the York Devils. The Mustangs jumped out to a 1-0 first period lead thanks to a goal by Dante Trocino off a pass from below the goal line by Tyler Little who received the puck from Michael Krebs. York tied the game at 1 mid-way through the second period. Kai Liu was heating up in goal as the period went on and the team was rewarded with a go-ahead goal by Tyler Little off a great feed from Michael Krebs. Mason Gamache buried a wrap-around goal with about 11 minutes to go in the tilt after Ethan Searing-Burke won the faceoff to him. That goal gave the Mustangs a 3-1 lead. York kept battling and brought the game back to a 1-goal affair. Kai Liu was stellar throughout the playoffs though he saved his best for the biggest game, with a forty-five save effort against a tremendous York Devils team.

This was truly a remarkable achievement by the players. Making a playoff run with so few skaters over a 5-game stretch against top teams in the division was an incredible accomplishment for this group. 

Tyler Little stepped up in a big way and led the entire 12-team AHF playoffs in points throughout the weekend with a five goal, three assist campaign. While Michael Krebs lead all AHF playoff defensemen with seven assists. Throughout the playoffs, Mason Gamache had six points (5G, 1A), Dante Trocino had five points (4G, 1A), and Kai Chen chipped in with five assists. Kai Liu was on fire between the pipes to ensure the Mustangs’ weekend would be capped off with their first ever AHF Championship! 

As a team, they earned a greater reward than any individual statistic could ever mean. This group played their hearts out and it was inspirational to watch unfold.

Hats off to the York Devils for a great season as well. That is a tremendous group of players, coaches, and families. They truly played the game the right way and we were impressed by the congratulatory messages our players, coaches, and parents received from York families afterwards. Even in our early season game, the team was incredibly respectful in their victory over our crew. Congratulations to York 14U AA!!