The Niagara Falls Riverhawks U18 AA Hockey Club won the Peter Mancuso November
Challenge over the weekend of November 7-9, 2025 in Niagara Falls
After a difficult Day 1 of the tournament, our Riverhawks
found themselves in a Quarter Final Elimination matchup against the Clarington
Toros who finished 2nd overall in the Round Robin Standings
with an undefeated record and only having allowed 1 goal against in their round
robin games.
Simon Sciarra opened the scoring (assisted by Taylor
McQuillan) at the 5:50 mark of the 1st period followed by
Townes Bestward scoring at 3:39 of the 2nd to give the
Riverhawks a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd period. With
Clarington getting a late goal in the 3rd period and pressing
after pulling their goaltender for an extra player, the Riverhawks sealed the
win with 34 seconds left in the 3rd with a late empty net goal
by Kris Kemp to give the Riverhawks a 3-1 win and birth in the Semi-Finals.
The Semi-Final matchup was against the St Thomas Stars who
were seeded 1st overall after the Round Robin getting an
automatic bye into the Semi-Finals also having an undefeated record and not
allowing a single goal against them in their round robin games.
Samuel Tachjian opened the scoring (assisted by Mason Neal
and Jager Carter) at 9:06 and then scoring again at 2:25 (assisted again by
Neal and Linc O’Brien) giving our Riverhawks a 2-0 lead at the end of the 1st Period.
Simon Sciarra (assisted by Kris Kemp) scored at 5:51 of the 2nd Period
with St. Thomas scoring a few minutes later. Moving to the 3rd Period
Samuel Tachjian scored yet again (3rd of the Game) at 1:13
(assisted by O’Brien and Carter) sealing a 4–1 WIN and a berth in the U18 AA
Finals!
The Finals was set for a rematch between your Niagara Falls
Riverhawks and the Mississaugua Jets. After the 1st Period,
the score was tied at 0–0 until Taylor McQuillan opened the scoring early in
the 2nd on an unassisted goal. Less then a minute Later
Samuel Tachjian scored (assisted by Neal) to give the Riverhawks a 2-0
lead. St. Thomas responded to make it 2-1 and at 4:16 Kris Kemp scored
(assisted by Andy Garrett) to make it 3-1 where St. Thomas responded yet again
to make it 3-2 and finally with St. Thomas pressing, Simon Sciarra scored with
44 seconds left in the game to seal the win!
Congratulations to all players and thank-you to all families and coaches for
your support over the weekend!
GO HAWKS GO!