THROGGS NECK, N.Y. (Feb. 22, 2012) – The elongated season has come to end as the Maritime hockey team finished in second place in the Metropolitan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC) after being defeated by the C.C.M Titans in the championship game on Sunday, Feb. 19. The 2011-12 Privateers finished the season with an impressive 15-11-1 record and played in the squad's first championship game under head coach Matt Garofalow.
 
        Friends and family of both respective teams filled the AmeriHealth Pavilion Sunday, cheering every effort, as enlightened fans will concur that in big contests, there is a game within a game, and every inch gained, time of possession, defensive effort, penalty call or non-call, shot on goal, block, and save, can determine the fateful outcome.
 
         Both teams came out hitting from the opening faceoff until the final buzzer. The Titans however, kept the puck in the Privateers' zone for long periods of time, which eventually helped draw a few penalties in their favor. C.C.M.'s Dave McAndrew cashed in on the power-play as he deflected Nick Spadone's point-blast upstairs for a 1-0 Titans lead. Russian sniper Mark Zavorin showed why he's an NJCAA All-American as he skated in the Privateers' zone displaying his quick hands and getting quality shots on rookie goalie, Harris Burger (Davie, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) (Davie, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), who was sharp in the first period.
 
        C.C.M. took advantage of a Privateer penalty early in the second period, which could have very likely been the turning point of the game. The 32-percent power-play squad made it 2-0 and never looked back, as Ryan Dwyer, all alone in front of the net, redirected a brilliant centering feed from Brian Newton. C.C.M added salt to the wound as Zavorin picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and broke in all-alone on Burger, roofing the puck up over his shoulder for a 3-0 lead. It was all Titans after that, as Andrew Niedzwiecki converted on three more breakaways, including a shorthanded breakaway, as he received a crisp pass while hanging in the neutral zone, and went in to complete his hat-trick.
 
        The Privateers lone-goal came early in the third period as freshman defenseman Thomas Kirby (Rockaway Park, N.Y./Xaverian) drilled a shot from the right point to end Viktor Fouchenette's shutout bid. The Swedish goalie had been great this season for the Titans, finishing first amongst goaltenders with a 9-1-1 record, along with a 2.43 goals-against average and a 92.0% save-percentage. Burger wasn't too far behind as he finishes second overall, with a 9-4-0 record, a 3.05 GAA, and an 89.5% SV PCT.
 
        It was an 8-1 final, with the total shot count favoring the Titans, 42-40. Maritime did get a plethora of shots on Fouchenette and played a very physical game, but couldn't capitalize on scoring chances and failed to pick up defensive assignments, which put them in a deeper hole as the contest progressed. That was the difference between the two teams Sunday night, as captain Dave McAndrew lifted the MCHC cup before friends and family. The Titans are now the new MCHC Champions, capturing their fourth title since the 1996-97 season.
 
        The Maritime hockey team will look a little different next season as three seniors will be graduating in the spring. The seniors include Jesse Wynn (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund's Prep) (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund's Prep) who played just about every position but goalie for the Privateers, Tom Mehmet (Little Neck, N.Y./St. Mary's) (Little Neck, N.Y./St. Mary's) who was a two-time captain and Dylan O'Malley-Joyce (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) who was a two-time assistant captain.
 
        A few notable returners for the 2012-13 season are Nick Galli (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by the Sea) (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph By The Sea), who finished with a team-high 30 points, and Tanner McWain (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan), who racked up 16 goals and 13 assists. Also returning next season is stud goaltender Harris Burger (Davie, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) who will look to continue his brilliance in net for the Privateers.
 
        Defeat is always difficult, but it only helps build character. The Privateers will come back hungrier next season and look to take care of unfinished business.