Ben Kupferberg

            The Mamaroneck Varsity Hockey team found much success early on in the season, winning a tournament in Saratoga and staying undefeated through ten games.

            However, when it came to a huge match-up against rival Suffern, the team suffered a heart-breaking loss in overtime after a remarkable comeback effort in the third period to tie the game. The Suffern loss was most likely the best game the team played this season, despite the fact that the final scoreboard displayed defeat.

The next game to come would be against White Plains, a non-league game. The Tigers would also lose that one in overtime.

            The loss to White Plains was a bad loss for the team because they were winning going in to the third period. It wasn't the best display that the Tigers have given this season, and these two overtime losses triggered many reactions from the players, coaches and captains. "We were a little too cocky after our 10-0 start and those two losses were reminders that get where we want to be we will need to be the hardest working team around," said Craig Schiff '11.

After these two losses, Coach Chiapparelli gave the team an ultimatum: dwell on the losses or focus on the upcoming games and learning how to win again. There were a series of speeches to inspire and change the general attitude of the team, including one on how the players had to work for everything they wanted, and couldn't expect anything to be given to them. That is what makes a champion, he said. "After those two losses we really came together as a team, losing proved that we are not invincible, and that a loss is an option if were not giving 100% all the time. Since then we've given 100% every game and we have been rewarded with wins," said Joey Naclerio '10.

 According to Chiapparelli, somewhere along the way, “undefeated” had turned into “undefeatable,” an attitude that produced the two losses. Both captains, Naclerio ’10 and Sam Christiansen ’11, told everyone that the work ethic had to change, along with the attitude before games. After these two losses, everyone was evaluating the team to see what changes were necessary. Seeing how successful the team has been year in and year out, everyone felt the need to be more serious, in the hopes of chasing the number one goal, a state championship.

            There has been a lot of hard work since those two losses. “After our second loss to White Plains we had a crucial week of practices that got us on track and now were steady again, waiting for February 5th to prove were the best team in Section 1," said Mike Wojciechowski '11. The team went back to the basics during practice, doing more passing drills and conditioning. The two overtime losses were a wake up call to a very talented team that had forgotten the essentials. 

            The effects of these midseason evaluations were very beneficial, as the Tigers would win their next game against New Rochelle, winning the league title. The following games? An 8-0 win against Rye Town and a 9-3 win against Scarsdale. “We have a tough end to our schedule, and hopefully we will win where it counts and learn from our mistakes,” says Sam Christiansen ’11. The Tigers are back on top of their game now and ready for the tough home stretch that is to come.

            The Tigers didn't lose a bit of hope from the two overtime losses; instead it made them harder to beat. It's going to take a lot of strength for anyone else to knock them off their track, which is a good sign with sectionals coming around.