At top of their game
Athlete of the Year helped Adirondack win its first Section II hockey crown
The Times Union announces its high school hockey All-stars.
Athlete of the Year: Ben Difiore, Adirondack
As the clock wound down on his team’s 5-2 loss to Shenendehowa in the regular-season finale, Adirondack Rivermen goaltender Ben Difiore found a few positives from the defeat as he felt his team was capable of more than the final score posted on the scoreboard that night.
The senior was right and a week later, the Rivermen got another shot at the Plainsmen, this time in the Section II championship game. Keyed by 32 saves from Difiore, Adirondack claimed its first Section II championship with a 4-0 win over Shen.
“That (loss) fed our hunger to win. We all wanted to win that championship,” Difiore said. “You never want to lose and go play a team again but I think it helped us. We were ready to go. That last minute (of the title game) felt like 15 minutes. I couldn’t wait to give the boys a big hug and throw the gloves. It was a special feeling.”
Difiore led the Rivermen to wins in seven of nine games with one shutout, an average of just under 25 saves per game.
A starter since his freshman season, Difiore grew into a leadership role on the team over the course of his career.
“There is always the do-your-job
piece so I was there to give my team a chance to win every game,” Difiore said. “I really love the game. I have a passion for hockey and night in and night out, wanted to get everybody fired up and get ready to win.”
With time still left in his high school career, Difiore still has some soccer and baseball to play for Glens Falls High this year and is planning on continuing his hockey career next year.
“I’m playing juniors with the Bay State Bobcats in Springfield, Mass.,” Difiore said. “I’m playing there next year and hopefully move on to another league and hopefully play college.”
First team
■ Will Cormie, Sr., F, Adirondack: Helped lead the Rivermen to their first Section II title, scoring 10 goals and adding 14 assists in nine games this season. Had three goals and six assists in his team’s three playoff games.
■ Owen Grabb, Sr., F, Burnt Hills/ballston Spa: Senior led Section II in scoring with 16 goals and nine assists in 13 games played, including five game-winning goals.
■ Will Detora, Sr., F, Saratoga Springs: Tallied six goals and added 10 assists for the Blue
Streaks this year.
■ Antonio Rosetti, Sr., D, Burnt Hills/ballston Spa: Led Section II defensemen in scoring with six goals and 14 assists and helped team earn berth in Section II semifinals.
■ Mike Montague, Sr., D, Saratoga Springs: Named to first-team all-stars for second year in the row, Montague led Section II defenseman in goals with seven and added three helpers this season.
■ Ben Difiore, Sr., G, Adirondack: Authored a shutout with a 32-save performance in his team’s 4-0 victory over Shenendehowa in the Section II championship game. Among the league leader in saves, Difiore stopped 91 percent of the shots he faced this season.
Second team
■ Jack Lucey, Jr., F, Bethlehem
■ Luke Pezzano, Sr., F, CBA
■ Ryan Saelens, Sr., F, Shenendehowa
■ Will Bickford, Sr., D, Adirondack
■ Reid Murray, Sr., D, Lasalle
■ Anthony Zaccaria, Sr., G, CBA
Coach of Year
■ Mike Difiore, Adirondack: Led the Rivermen — a team consisting of players from Glens Falls High, South Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, and Warrensburg — who got on a roll at season’s end and knocked off Shenendehowa 4-0 in Section II title game.