The Gateway Gladiator Bantams saved their best effort for last, as the team out-skated, outhustled, and outplayed the WHK Hawks for three periods of hockey on the way to a 6-2 win in the Yankee Conference Championship last Saturday.

Jake Demoranville led the Gladiator offense scoring a hat trick, with assists from linemates Mike Ripley and Jackson St. Don. Gateway also got goals from Zachary Lovendale and Josh Smolinsky.

Robert Ramsay’s goal came on his deflection of defenseman Jared Westgate’s wrister from just inside the blueline after Noah Demoranville and Jameson Woodward helped establish a strong forecheck. Lovendale also added an assist in the game, as did Nick Snow.

Zachary Pateakos and Steven Strachan allowed just one goal each, as the defensive play of Westgate and fellow blueliners Coleby Paling, Bethany Davis and Matt Youlden was stellar.

The victory capped a 19-4-1 season in which the team scored nearly three goals for every one allowed.

The Gladiators will look to defend its title next season as nine of its thirteen skaters are set to return to Gateway as second-year Bantams.