The ice is finally beginning to melt for a senior player.
This Saturday at 4 p.m., the High School Hockey Championship will feature an exciting showdown between the Friars of St. Anthony of Long Island and the Long Beach Marines at the Northwell Health Ice Center. It’s not just a game; it’s an emotional moment for many talented teens who have invested so much into their teams. It’ll be their last match.
“It’s really sad. I’ve seen so many guys come and go here,” shared Long Beach senior captain and center Michael Calvi.
Calvi keeps the “C” on his sweater as a reminder of leadership, representing his role like a Marine Corps ship. The team has enjoyed a solid run, reaching 13 consecutive wins and advancing to the Nassau finals.
Senior center Joseph Feerick noted that Long Beach hasn’t had much heat in years.
The unforgettable highlight was a thrilling double overtime victory over rivals Belmore Merrick, clinching the county title with a score of 5-4, thanks to standout player Liam Young.
“It took a moment for us to realize the ball went in. The referee just stood there for about 10 seconds,” said backup goalie Sophie Marino, who juggled being a gymnast and hockey player in her senior year.
“Nobody expected it, then everyone flew off the bench when the ref finally signaled,” she added.
sands of time
Marino rated her single season a perfect 10, saying she struggles to even put into words the joy of playing for the Marines.
Calvi also reflects on how meaningful it’s been to be a leader, especially wishing he had always made the right choices for his teammates.
A particularly poignant memory is of former player Jaelyn Hagen, who tragically lost her life at 18 in 2023 after being hit by a car while skateboarding.
“He was incredible, an amazing captain. He taught us what to do both on and off the ice,” Calvi recalled, remembering his freshman year while Hagen was on the team.
In Long Beach, it’s customary for the senior captain to assign locker room spots, and Calvi took pride being next to Hagen’s former spot, which he considered “an absolute honor.”
“As a freshman, I looked at that spot and thought, ‘I really want to be there one day.’ I’m so grateful,” he reflected.
“Now, I want to finish strong.”
monk focus
For St. Anthony’s, family dynamics played a key role as Suffolk County triumphed over the Smithtown Bulls in a best-of-three series to earn their spot in the finals.
“We text every night to check that everyone’s in bed and doing what they need to do,” said senior captain Zach Shirell.
“This place built my confidence like nowhere else. There’s a spirit of camaraderie and kindness here that’s constant.”
He will miss the small rituals of the Friar hockey brotherhood, especially the pregame traditions typical of Catholic schools.
The team recites the “Husker Prayer,” a tradition started by alumni aimed at strengthening team spirit before games.
It includes lines like: “If we win, let us follow the example. Hold high our faith and honor; if we lose, let us cheer as the victors pass.”
“We set the tone with that prayer,” added Shirell.
The privilege of reciting this prayer belongs to assistant captain Tommy Azarritti, who has focused on personal redemption this year.
He still thinks about a pivotal missed playoff shootout goal in a previous match against the Bulls, which lingers in his mind.
“I’ve thought about that every day for three years,” he admitted.
Now, as the forward scored the only goal in the shootout earlier this season, he was determined not to repeat past mistakes.
“I aimed to roof it this time, but I made some fakes and just put it toward the net,” Azarritti said.
“I honestly blacked out after scoring that goal.”
Currently, the Friar leaders are diligently preparing for one last game.
“We’re ready for whatever comes our way,” Schiller said.
