The Suffolk County High School Hockey League freshman division produced an instant classic Monday night at North rink, as St. Anthony’s Freshman (19-3) captured their second championship across all four SCHL divisions with a thrilling 9-7 victory over eighth-seeded Middle Country Freshman in the decisive Game 3 of their best-of-3 series. The 16-goal thriller featured seven lead changes and marked just the third time in league history that a last-place seed advanced to the championship game, though the Friars’ championship poise ultimately prevailed over the Cougars’ fairy-tale run.
Middle Country struck early and often in the opening period, with Dylan Dechiaro (#98) scoring twice and Derek Johnson adding a goal to help the Cougars take a 4-3 lead after 20 minutes. The turning point came in the second period when St. Anthony’s exploded for five goals, including two from Francesco Mannino (#48) and a pair from Reginald Henry III (#90), who capitalized on assists from Trevor Gallaway. Aiden Kollmar‘s unassisted tally at 1:19 of the second proved to be the game-winner, giving the Friars an 8-5 advantage entering the final frame.
The championship game showcased the depth and talent that made St. Anthony’s the league’s premier program all season. Jake Evans (#94) led the way with three points (1G, 2A) despite being called up to JV throughout the year, while team leader Logan McCauley (#89) sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with five seconds remaining. McCauley, who entered the game with 23 goals and 43 points in 20 games, added his second goal of the night to cap off a dominant postseason run.
Middle Country’s Cinderella story nearly reached its storybook ending behind the stellar play of Jesse Verdecanna (#5), described by observers as “one of the fastest, most polished skaters at this level.” The returning reinforcement from nationals, who had 13 points in 10 games entering the contest, created multiple breakaway opportunities but was denied by St. Anthony’s goaltender Brody Morbillo on a crucial five-hole attempt that maintained the Friars’ lead. Johnson finished with two goals and an assist for the Cougars, including a strike just 10 seconds after Verdecanna‘s tally that briefly gave Middle Country hope.
The physical, penalty-filled affair featured 15 total infractions and exemplified the bad blood that had developed between these teams across four meetings this season. St. Anthony’s had dominated the regular season matchup 10-4 back in October, but Middle Country had shown dramatic improvement, forcing the series to a deciding game with their stunning 4-0 victory in Game 1. The Friars’ experience and depth ultimately proved decisive, as they became just the second team to win both varsity and freshman championships in the same season.
With the victory, St. Anthony’s completed their championship collection across multiple divisions, cementing their status as the “Giants of the Suffolk County High School Hockey League.” For Middle Country, the heartbreaking defeat ended one of the most improbable playoff runs in league history, as the eighth-seeded Cougars fell just short of becoming only the third last-place team ever to capture a championship. The 16-goal spectacle served as a fitting finale to the 2025-26 SCHSHL season, delivering the kind of instant classic that will be remembered for years to come.