Pirate Power Prevails

"Well Pop Tom now you've got something to smile about on your upcoming trip to Florida," boomed Dillon Krok through a broad smile. The Pearl River Pirates had just completed a stunning 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Colonials to capture the championship of the Hackensack Ice House Tournament. Only three hours earlier the Pirates had dropped a 5-2 decision to those same Colonials to end their preliminary rounds with 2 wins - 1 loss record. Capturing second place over the Hudson Valley Polar bears based on goal differential in the tournament enabled Coach Kern's crew to have another crack at the squad from Morristown N.J. who swept through their opposition, 3 wins - o losses. The Pirates may have caught a break in the final game when the Colonials elected to go with Klehm in the nets rather than Sabella who looked sharp in their victory over the Pirates earlier in the day. Twelve seconds into the game CJ Greco rifled a 25 foot blast behind a startled Klehm to lead the charge. Within the next minute Dylan McCavitt added a second goal to bolster the lead to 2-0. The gritty Colonials were not to be outdone and scored two of their own before the period had entered its fifth minute. Dillon Krok answered in turn later in the period to reestablish a Pirate lead of 3-2 with a 20 foot wrister from the mid-slot area. An equally hard fought second period ended with the score tied at 3-3. Each team had received several 5 on 4 and 5 on 3 advantages as the referees called this game exceptionally close. Shortly after staving off a 5-3 disadvantage, and while on their own man advantage, 'Krok Rocked' again, netting his second power play goal of the day, blasting a shot high, and glove side through the net minder. As Nana Lucy offered her grandson Dillon a roll of Life Savers in the reception area the hooting fan reminded one and all who could here him, "Dillon, as a kid my favorite candy wasn't Life Savers but their competitor - 'Am I the team's LUCKY CHARMs or what?!"