Cyclones capture hockey title

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In just its second season at the varsity level, a never-say-die Rockville Centre/Malverne club hockey team defied the odds and captured Nassau County’s Liberty Division championship.

The Cyclones rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Locust Valley/North Shore in the semifinals on Feb. 22, then beat Levittown in two games in the finals later that same week.

“We had a determined and gutsy group of kids,” assistant coach Tony Marco said. “They never gave up.”

Marco, who said all the pieces fell into place under head coach Gerry Nizich, recalled the Cyclones trailed Locust Valley/North Shore 2-0 late in the second period in the semifinals before keeping their season alive with a 3-2 overtime victory. Senior defensemen Terence McMenamy and Sean Leavenworth keyed the comeback, combining for all three goals.

“We were knocking on the door and had a lot of chances in the first two periods,” Marco said. “Then we finally broke through.”

McMenamy set up Leavenworth with RVC-Malverne’s first goal and later tied the game in the third period. Forty seconds into OT, McMenamy, who played in only six regular-season games after recovering from a knee injury, potted the winner.

“Terence gave us a big boost when he came back,” Marco said. “He’s got a quick, hard snap shot and is a very strong skater. He does it all. He’s a tremendous two-way player who can make end-to-end rushes.”

In Game 1 of the finals on Feb. 23, the Cyclones came out fired up and scored the first three goals against Levittown, which suffered only one regular-season defeat, to RVC-Malverne, and never looked back in an 8-6 victory. McMenamy had a hat trick and two assists, while Andrew Cardi added two goals.

In Game 2, senior goaltender Jason Posner came up huge, particularly during a two-man disadvantage in the third period, and the Cyclones (15-2-2 overall) clinched the title with a 4-2 win on Feb. 26.

“We didn’t give up a lot of goals all season,” said Marco, who credited senior AJ Sandorfi (15 goals, eight assists) and junior Robert Chesney, along with Leavenworth and McMenamy as the defensive workhorses.

Posner, a top-tier travel player, returned as the starting goalie and didn’t suffer any losses on the season. The Cyclones allowed just 45 goals in 16 regular-season contests. “Jason stops everything,” Marco said. “He has a great glove and quick reflexes.”

Leavenworth, whose father, Steve, also served as an assistant coach, was the team’s captain. He was one of four players, along with forwards Ryan Chelius (12 goals), Jack Flatley (20 points) and James Surless, to dress for every game.

“Winning the championship is something all the kids and coaches will never forget,” Marco said.