’19-’20 Bantam A team wins NJYHL Championship

Wayne, NJ:

The Protec Ducks Bantam A team began the season with four straight losses and it seemed like this may not be a playoff caliber team.  Slowly, but surely, the team came together and began putting together a series of league wins.  Not only did the Ducks make the playoffs, they earned a first round bye in the NJYHL Championships.  On Saturday, they faced a familiar foe from a recent non-league game in the Lawrence Flames who defeated the Ducks 3-1 in that game.  The Ducks got a goal from Jack Buonato on a give and go set up on the powerplay.  Soon after Adrian Kurylko put home a rebound from Julian Joglekar and Dave Barounis for a 2-0 lead.  The Lawrence Flames scored to make the game 2-1, but goalie Preston Baker made all the necessary saves to close out the game.

In the championship, the Protec Ducks played the Union Thunder who was undefeated in league play.  The Thunder used their size to intimidate the Ducks, but on a 5-on-3, Peter DaSilva’s shot was tipped by Adrian Kurylko for a 1-0 lead.  The Ducks piled on with goals from RJ Mrotek and Darin Larsen for a 3-0 lead.  In the end, the Ducks held on for an exciting 4-2 championship finish.  Coach Alvin remarked, “This was a great team win.  We had contributions from all forward lines, great goaltending, and smart defensive play.”  The Bantam A team moves on to Districts in March.