Hollydell, NJ:

PWA American Ducks complete the perfect season with victory at NJYHL playoffs

The Ducks team headed to Hollydell, NJ on Friday, February 25th with all the hopes and dreams of a perfect season on the line. The first game against the Union Thunder proved that the Ducks were here to play as they completed a 5-2 victory. Saturday morning things got more difficult as the Bridgewater Rockets put up a strong fight and won the game in OT 2-1. That afternoon with their backs against the wall, the Ducks worked to get back on track. A victory was needed to punch their ticket to the championship game and that is exactly what they did with a 3-2 win over the Metro Militia. Sunday afternoon the Ducks prepared for battle against the Rockets with redemption in their eyes. Vincent Lorenzo scored the first goal of the game in the beginning of the 2nd period to get things rolling in a tight contest. Shortly after though, the Rockets scored back-to-back goals and took a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd. After a back and forth period, the end was near and with 1:30 on the clock, the Ducks pulled their goalie to send out an extra man to help with the final push. With the season on the line and 46 seconds left on the clock, the Ducks made a pass from behind the Rockets’ net where Josh Zhuravskiy quickly scored to tie the game and send it to overtime. When the puck dropped for 3 v. 3 OT, the Ducks knew the mistake they made the previous day in OT and what needed to be done now. At 1:35 into OT, Vincent Lorenzo made a stretch pass to Leon Oleynik who broke past two Rocket defenders to elevate the puck over the goalie’s glove hand and into the top shelf of the net. The crowd and the Ducks bench went wild and the season was complete. The 2021-2022 Protec Ducks complete a 16-0 perfect season and took home the ultimate crown of State Champions.

“This season will never be beat. It will live in our hearts forever.” Coach Don