The Niagara Falls Riverhawks U18 AA Hockey Club (sponsored
by Inland Truck and Trailer) participated in and WON the Peter Mancuso November
Challenge over the weekend of November 7-9, 2025 here 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!