The P.A.L. Jr. Islanders, the No. 7 seed in the Atlantic Division, have won the division title in a sweep against the No. 8 WBS Knights after their close 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon. Longtime Premier veteran Brett LoGelfo scored the GWG, and LoGelfo and Joe Sousa each had a goal and an assist. Marks Dinsdorfs made 38 saves on 39 shots in goal for P.A.L. Gusts Valantis was strong for WBS with 33 saves on 35 shots.
This marks the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders Premier team’s first trip to the Nationals.
“Winning the Atlantic division title is an incredible feeling. In years past, with the National Championship format being what it was, where each division had taken the top two teams in each to go to Nationals, we knew how difficult it was going to be to have to win that “extra” playoff series. We had to go on the road for our first two playoff series, which is no easy task in general, but after losing Game 1 in both series, in Elmira and Bridgewater, which are 2 very tough places to play, our group was very confident having earned the right to host the Atlantic Division Finals on Long Island,” said Head Coach Frank DiChiara.
The Jr. Islanders won Game 1 by a 4-2 score against a No. 8 seed Knights team that had knocked off the defending National Champion Connecticut Jr. Rangers and then also the No. 6 Rockets Hockey Club as well.
“We knew that WIlkes would be a tough opponent, having knocked off the #1 and #6 seeds in the division. We knew that if we stuck to our game plan we would have a good chance to win. I can not speak enough about the support throughout our entire organization, however,” added DiChiara. “Both games we hosted this weekend were as crowded as I have seen the RInx in a while, and our entire NCDC team was there to support our Premier team all weekend. Our organization does a phenomenal job showing support where it truly is a ‘Family’ culture from top to bottom.”
The Jr. Islanders never had an easy track to Nationals, including three overtime games against the Rockets Hockey Club.
“Obviously our biggest challenges were going on the road for the first 2 series. And especially with the Rockets series going all three games, all three going into overtime, it’s only natural for the team to be a little ‘tired and banged up.’ That being said, so is everyone this time of year,” DiChiara said.
“In our series against Wilkes, we played a great game 1 and then game 2 we went down 1-0 less than 2 minutes into the game. I want to credit our group with not hitting the panic button so to speak and sticking with out game plan for a full 60 minute game,” DiChiara added. “WIlkes played extremely well and Coach Eric Brule did a great job throughout the whole playoff. Every team and coach we faced this playoff (Glen Patterson with Elmira; and Alec Marsh with the Rockets) got their teams ready to give us their best games and fortunately we got the job done.”
They’ve seen and heard so much about Nationals over the years, and are glad to make their P.A.L. mark on the festivities.
“Nationals is going to be everything we expect it to be, and then a lot more. It is great to be able to represent the Atlantic Division and the P.A.L. organization, but it’s one thing to get to the Ice Vault and Nationals,” added DiChiara. “Now, we have to show up and show everyone why we deserve to be there. I am very proud of our group, yet looking forward to the battles we’ll see this week between the Final 10 teams in the USPHL Premier Conference.”
