Bellmore-Merrick wins state title in ice hockey, qualifies for nationals
Bellmore-Merrick Bulldogs players gather around head coach Patrick Braglia, who holds the championship trophy following the team’s USA Hockey state tournament victory at SUNY Broome Ice Center on Sunday. Credit: Diana Valdivia
In its fifth game of the weekend, Bellmore-Merrick was in a battle with St. Francis (Buffalo) in the boys ice hockey state championship game.
At the start of the tournament, coach Pat Braglia and his players emphasized how “pucks on net” help them win.
In the biggest game of the season, that message turned into the Bulldogs' biggest moment.
Tied at 2 with under three minutes left, Harrison Nawrocki unleashed a shot from the point and Jackson Austin tipped the puck in to give the Bulldogs the lead with 2:52 left.
“I just went to the net like I was told all season,” Austin said. “Pucks on net, good things happen and I was able to get a stick on it and it took a good bounce.”
Bellmore-Merrick defeated St. Francis, 4-2, in the USA Hockey New York State championship game at SUNY Broome Ice Center in Binghamton on Sunday, finishing the weekend a perfect 5-0.
Bellmore-Merrick captured its first state title and qualified for nationals in Plymouth, Minnesota, from March 18-22.
“There are no words right now,” coach Pat Braglia said. “We’ve been to the finals and came up short. But I can’t talk enough about the culture. Since 2019 it starts with guys back in the day setting the standard. Today our depth was huge, everyone plays their role and plays the right way. I’m fortunate to have a group of guys bought in.”
St. Francis outshot Bellmore-Merrick 34-21. The back end for the Bulldogs held firm. Defenseman Evan Lenz blocked numerous shots and kept St. Francis’ high-powered offense in check.
Henry Lagalia made 16 saves in the third period and finished with 32 stops for the game, proving to be the difference.
“I’m willing to do anything for this team,” Lenz said. “My toe hurts so bad right now but I’ll do anything for these boys. And Henry Lagalia is how we did it today. The boys dug deep and got it done.”
Three Long Island teams made the semifinals. New York sends the top two teams to nationals. Bellmore-Merrick earned a win over Long Beach, 8-4, to advance to the state finals and clinch a spot in nationals.
Smithtown/Hauppauge had the opportunity to join Bellmore-Merrick but fell short to St. Francis in a thriller. The Bulls trailed by two with just under two minutes to go.
Brett Spiers scored with 1:43 left to get within one. Then, 45 seconds later, Liam McNamara buried a shot from the slot to send the game to overtime.
St. Francis’ Tanyon Aquilla netted the overtime winner as Smithtown/Hauppauge lost, 5-4.
“None of these guys will ever quit,” Smithtown/Hauppauge coach Mark DuBeau said. “It’s upsetting for the seniors, there’s a lot of them and I feel bad for them. We also have a lot of guys coming back next year and our future looks extremely bright.”
