Section V hockey: McQuaid emerges in overtime of Class A semifinal against Penfield

FAIRPORT — The section final has proven elusive for McQuaid hockey, ever since the team's last championship in 2015.

Six of the last seven years, the Knights' season ended on the doorstep of the final. Class A semifinal games were an unbeatable boogeyman.

Years of disappointment were rectified on Thursday. Second-seeded McQuaid, which never led in regulation, rallied to beat No. 3 Penfield 3-2 in overtime to earn its first title game appearance in a near-decade.

"We've had a mentality as a program that when things are stacked against us, we've gotta keep going," Knights coach Joe Dugan said. "The situation and score being what it was wasn't exactly storybook, but it's not something we're opposed to. It's really a testament to the guys to not hit the panic button and trust themselves."

The situation Dugan refers to was the possibility of another disappointing exit, until sophomore Eoghan Maier tied the score with 2:25 remaining in the third period.

Chase Brock was the hero in sudden death, deflecting a point shot from defenseman Ryan Kozara to prevent Penfield from its second championship game in three years.

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Special teams up and downs

Three of the game's five goals were scored with one team on the man-advantage, including both of Penfield's.

Mason Maksymiu opened the scoring in the first period on a short-handed wrap-around, while Travis Bush cashed in a rebound that put Penfield in front 2-1 with 11 minutes to go.

Regulation woes aside, McQuaid was awarded a power play midway through the first overtime and didn't waste the opportunity.

"Each guy has a couple of different looks, and we trust those guys to make plays. That's why they're in that position," Dugan said.

McQuaid's Swiss Army knife

While Maier is a first-year player for the Knights, he's trusted to play in all-situations — and all positions.

Though Maier is listed as a forward, he regularly drops back to defense when the situation warrants it. According to Dugan, such an adjustment is representative of McQuaid's philosophy of playing as a five-man unit instead of having position-specific players.

While his two goals are the highlight, Maier led McQuaid's late charge with several coast-to-coast rushes in an attempt to generate offense.

"I do enjoy (switching positions), but I do what's best for the team," Maier said.

By the numbers

5 — The number of first period saves for Penfield goalie Thomas Herman. McQuaid was on its heels for much of the opening frame but turned the tide in the second and third, finishing with 37 shots on goal.

171 — The amount of points from players Penfield loses to graduation. Five of the Patriots' six leading scorers are seniors, including Monroe County league player of the year Sean Walsh.

Up next

Section V's other Class A semifinal resulted in a shocker, as No. 5 Portside Royals eliminated defending section champion Pittsford 4-1.

Portside, which combines players from Brockport and Spencerport, is in its third season as a merged program. The Royals' win prevents denies Pittsford an opportunity to become Class A's first repeat champion since the Panthers went back to back in 2016-2017.

McQuaid and Portside did not meet during the regular season. The teams will face off 8 p.m. Monday at RIT to determine who will represent Section V in the NYSPHSAA tournament.

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: McQuaid emerges in overtime of Section V Class A semifinal against Penfield