ORR hockey players fall one goal short in MA Elite team championship

Jul 31, 2018

Old Rochester High School ice hockey players competing in the MA Elite Summer League came up one goal short in the championship game on Sunday, July 29.

“This is the third year in a row we have made the show only to fall short by a goal," said Head Coach Skip Schiappa. But, he added, "I would have it no other way.  Great group of guys playing in a tough league."

Led by junior goalie Jake DeMoranville, and with Leo Schiappa on defense, the team lost five shifts into overtime three-on-three play. Schiappa described Jake DeMoranville as "our go-to' guy in the net.

"Jake just came off a spectacular sophomore ORR varsity ice hockey season,: Schiappa noted. "Jake is playing at a tremendous level right now in his young hockey career.  His skill set and hockey IQ are certainly an asset to any team he plays for."

Leo Schiappa had had a long association with the EHF Boston Bandits and other local tournament teams.

"As an 8th grader going into high school, Leo stepped up and played against men, that at times, showed some very bad intentions as they tried to make their way past Leo to our net," the coach noted. "He stood tall, he competed, and really was the foundation of our overall team physical make up."

"Our team had a great season with contributions from all of our players," Schiappa said. "Our guys faced a number of highly talented teams comprised of high school seniors, post grad and juniors players. In the end, to have a one goal differential in the championship says everything about the players and the league itself."

Some highlights within the game itself were Schiappa’s team coming back from a 3-2 deficit with only 48 seconds on the clock in regulation play. Nathan Eldredge of Carver was one of three players trying to kill a 5 on 3 disadvantage when he anticipated a pass, stepped into the lane, and skated the length of the ice to beat the goalie and tie the game up. His brother David had points in both playoff games.

"It was a high tempo game, lots of emotion and with that type of energy comes extremely physical play," Schiappa said. "We caught two penalties late in the third period that saw us facing a 5 on 3 with 48 seconds left on the clock down by a goal.

"Any hockey coach or player will tell you that it’s just about game over at that point," Schiappa said. "What I witnessed in our guys, a theme we have rode the entire season, is that it is never over until it’s over. I have been coaching for 20 plus years at every level and that has to be the best comeback that I have ever witnessed by players who just would not quit."