Ian Bass of Rye Town/Harrison tries to get the puck past Mahopac goalie Connor Doyle in a Section 1 Division 1 playoff game at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon Feb. 17, 2013. ( Seth Harrison / The Journal News ) To view a gallery of photos from the game, click here.
By Mike Dougherty
MOUNT VERNON — Brian Ketchabaw looked up in time and saw the odd-man rush coming up the ice. He calmly turned away, replaced the water bottle on top of the net, pulled the glove on, adjusted the mask and went right back to work.
He never blinked.
The sophomore goalie for Rye Town/Harrison showed incredible poise during a 4-1 win over Mahopac in the opening round of the Section 1 hockey tournament on Sunday at the Ice Hutch.
“I think I’ve had enough hockey experience where I jumped right into the game,” said Ketchabaw, who backed up his brother in goal last season. “I was telling everyone the first eight minutes is where you get the butterflies out, after that it’s a normal game. Except that this one means a lot more.”
Next up for the No. 6 Titans is a Division 1 quarterfinal against Mamaroneck on Tuesday.
No. 11 Mahopac (9-12) was not able to build any momentum during a difficult regular season and came in looking for a fresh start. The optimism began to fade seven minutes into the game when Joe Juliano put a low shot on goal from the left circle that went off the blade of Connor Doyle’s stick and into the net.
The celebration was delayed while the sophomore defenseman worked through a did-that-really-just-happen moment.
“I was off-balance there and was just trying to send the puck toward the net,” Juliano said. “I fanned and somehow it still went in, so I was lucky.”
It got worse for the Indians two minutes later when Ian Bass carried the puck in, and threw it just inside the left post to make it a 2-0 lead. That one inspired an early change between the pipes and put Mahopac into catch-up mode.
A little too much youthful enthusiasm resulted in a steady stream of RTH players being sent off. Ketchabaw was outstanding in net the entire game, but his best moments came when the Titans were playing short-handed.
He didn’t give up anything easy.
“We’re a chippy team sometimes,” said Ketchabaw, who made 36 saves. “I kind of like that, but I tell everyone that we have to keep our heads on straight. Taking 14 penalties against a team like Mamaroneck is not the same thing as taking 14 penalties against a team like Mahopac.”
The Indians kept shooting, and eventually one went in.
Joe Kirby came hustling in the final minutes of the second period, got a shot off that Ketchabaw could not cover and tapped in the rebound. It just barely trickled across, but the Indians suddenly had all the momentum.
“We’re a young team,” Bass said. “And this was a lesson for us. They beat us in the second period, but we came right back and beat them in the third.”
Mahopac had a 37-20 advantage in shots on goal.
“It was tough, but the kids stayed positive,” Indians coach Chris Lombardo said. “Ketchabaw is a great goalie. We finally figured out we had to get shots in the middle and hope for rebounds, but he’s just that good.”
Bass scored on the power play with 10 minutes to go to make it a 3-1 lead, and Mitchell Milbauer tacked on an empty-netter.
10 Comments
A first round KO for Mahopac puts an end to its worst season ever. Not sure if Pac has ever taken this early an exit, used to be a final four team almost every year. Young or not, this is too bad for a once proud team. Perhaps the big mouths up there will think twice about yapping before the season starts.
We are proud of the team and the players, they gave it their all and played with heart. All teams have cycles of good years and not so good years, it is a loss and Pac’s season has ended, I wish RTH all the best. Ketchabaw was fantastic in net and is an excellent goalie.
I hope the Section 1 DI and DII winners go upstate and win state titles.
Pac played a good game , strong shots on net , hard work by both teams . Ketchabaw deserves a lot of credit , outstanding goalie . Good luck in the playoffs.
If Mahopac was able to get 37 shots on RTH. I am thinking Mamaroneck will get at least 45. Ketchabaw will be extremely busy and facing some excellent shooters.
Both teams played well RTH goalie stood on his head , I think shot count was off , looked like Pac had more shots than reported , and I think Kirby’s goal came off of #22’s rush and shot Kirby tapped in the rebound . Best of luck to RTH in playoffs .
over rated
As I am now a former Mahopac Hockey player I would like to say that people who always comment about the ” big mouths” should keep it between the parents and not take it out on the kids. The kids know if they are having a rough year and don’t need parents from other towns to remind them when their team is struggling. Believe it or not players read these blogs and see everything everyone says. Remember everyone it is just a game and the game should be kept between the players who give it everything they have on the ice and not the parents who are sitting behind a computer screen. As for that I just want to thank Mike for all the coverage he has given high school hockey over the past four years I have played and hope he continues to do a great job.
BF
thankful
You’re going places, Fitz.
@thankfu, I coud not be more prouder of you my son. I know that every time you hit the ice you gave it everything you had and coud bot be more prouder to represent your school andthe jersey. BF you always carried youself with class and there was a reason you were chosen to wear the “C’ on your jersey, wel done young man and Mike is right you are definatey going places. PF
BF words are those of a Captain and Pac is proud of him and his teammates for playing the season to the best of their ability and giving it all they had. When you are up against 20 plus teams unfortunately only one team comes out the Champion, the other teams just hope they gave it their all and handled themselves with class. BF you represent your team and your school with dignity and respect!