The Nichols Prep Hockey teams, appearing in its first championshop series since 2004, fell just short of a CISAA championship falling to St. Andrew's College 2 games to 1. The series was hard fought by both teams, and Nichols came within inches in game 3.
Game 1, held at St. Andrew's, was a learning experience for this young team. The game started well with Andrew Poturalski scoring 59 seconds into the game. St. Andrew's would score to tie the game at 1 after the first period, but it was period 2 where Nichols would gain valuable experience. St. Andrews scored 4 goals in the second over an 8 minute span at the end of the period to put the game well out of reach. Nichols settled down in the third, but was unable to score.
Game 2 at Nichols was a different story. Matt Benedict again gave Nichols an early lead, but St. Andrew's would quickly counter to yet again put the score at 1-1 at the end of the first. The second saw Nichols earn great opportunities, but the teams would head to the locker rooms tied at 1. In the third, St. Andrew's struck first to give them the 2-1 lead. With elimination on their minds, Nichols fought back and Andrew Poturalski scored two goals in the final 10 minutes to give Nichols a 3-2 lead and force the decisive game 3 at St. Andrew's.
Game 3 was easily the best game of the series for both teams. Great scoring chances were traded in the first, but goaltending ruled the period as Nichols and St. Andrew's ended the first in a scoreless tie. Again, each team had their opportunities, and with less than 4 minutes to play in the second, St. Andrew's finally found the net. A minute later, St. Andrew's added a shorthanded goal to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room. Nichols would not disappear as they piled 17 shots on the St. Andrew's goaltender in the third period, but the puck would not cross the goal line and St. Andrew's would win their 5th straight CISAA championship.
It was an incredible series that ended an extraordinary season. Although Nichols took home silver, the players fought hard to the final day. Nichols finished the season with a 24-11-3 record. With 17 players returning to the lineup next season, the future is bright and the expectations are high.
