WEST GOSHEN >> For the first time since 2012 a Flyers Cup A champion would not have a West starting its name. Both Unionville and Hershey were looking to end long droughts. The Longhorns were riding a Cinderella streak, as the ninth seed knocked off top-seeded West Chester East and No. 4 Marple Newtown in its march to the championship.
But, the clock struck midnight for the Longhorns as the Trojans rode two first-period goals and the goaltending of Alex Placeres to a 5-1 victory Tuesday at Ice Line for its first Flyers Cup title.
“Me and the boys feel absolutely amazing right now,” said Placeres. “This is something, going into the season, we were looking to, but it’s definitely more intense when you win a Flyers Cup.”
Hershey was looking for redemption after being routed by West Chester East in the championship game last year. The Vikings had their streak of three straight titles snapped by Unionville in the second round. Either West Chester Rustin, Henderson or East has won every title but one, since 2007. The Longhorns were seeking to end a lengthy title drought — the last time they lifted the trophy was way back in 1995.
“Upsetting,” said Unionville coach Phil DiToro, who took over at midseason. “We really thought we played a really good game. It’s a game of bounces and and we didn’t get the two bounces when we needed them. we feel they got the two bounces they needed at the times they needed them.
“Our kids played their hearts out. Our seniors played their heart out and our goalie played his heart out. And kudos to their goalie, he played a great game.”
Both teams were strong defensively to start the game. Hershey recorded the first shot on goal nearly four minutes into the first period. The first major chance came from Hershey as goalie Zach Tomaszewicz stopped Blake Umberger on a point blank effort.
The Trojans also hit the iron as Tyler Lucas beat Tomaszewicz, but couldn’t beat the post.
The breakthrough for Hershey came with 8:14 left in the period as Kyle Kloss’ blind backhand pass found Lucas in the high slot.
Lucas’ shot beat Tomaszewicz on the glove side for the 1-0 lead.
Hershey doubled the advantage nearly three minutes later, as a cross-ice pass from Ryan Dhawan found a wide-open Umberger, who scored to make it 2-0. Hershey stifled the Longhorns the rest of the way to take that advantage into the second.
Thanks to a pair of power plays, Unionville began to find its footing and get a foothold into the game. They came close to scoring as Anthony Kulp hit the crossbar. Alex Tomaszewicz also came close, but his shot from in close went wide.
The Longhorns started to get Placeres making more high pressure saves, but couldn’t get anything by him. They outshot the Trojans, 14-6, in the second period.
The Trojans added insurance early in the third period as Dhawan slipped a backhander inside the left post and into the net for a 3-0 lead.
Alex Tomaszewicz finally put Unionville on the board with 9:48 remaining. His wrist shot got by Placeres to energize the crowd and fuel hope for a comeback and another improbable win.
But, Hershey dampened that hope with 5:17 to play. On the power play, Blake Cox scored to make it 4-1. The Hershey fans who made the trip were starting to celebrate a championship and that feeling became stronger when Tucker Valoczki notched an empty-net goal with five seconds left. The Trojans rejoiced as they spilled on the ice to celebrate around Placeres.
“Their power play is amazing,” added DiToro. “They were able to identify that 2-on-1 and that was a killer. We got one in on him (Placeres) and we thought we were going to get the next. Like my dad used to say, some days you eat the bear, and some days, the bear eats you. Today, the bear was on fire, he was eating us up.”
Placeres made 28 stops and his efforts culminated in him being named the Flyers Cup MVP after allowing just two goals in three games.
“It means the world to me,” said Placeres. “It feels great to finally have all my hard work paid off. I’m going to have that (MVP award) on my shelf as soon as I get home.”
Hershey 5, Unionville 1
Unionville 0 0 1 – 1
Hershey 2 0 3 – 5
Unionville goal: A. Tomaszewicz.
Hershey goals: Lucas, Umberger, Dhawan, Cox, Valoczki.
Goalie saves: Z. Tomaszewicz (U) 18; Placeres (H) 28.
