In case Pete Jerabeck ever wondered why the ‘C’ is on the front of Joe Gambardella’s sweater, the Monsignor Farrell hockey coach was reminded in a big way Monday afternoon.
In a must-win game, the junior forward notched a hat trick to lead the Lions to a 6-2 win against Iona Prep in Game 2 of the CHSHL Class A semifinal series at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon.
Thanks in large part to Gambardella’s heroics, the defending ‘A’ champions forced a decisive Game 3, to be played Friday at Abe Stark Rink on Coney Island. The winner meets St. Anthony’s in the best-of-three championship series. The Friars swept Fordham Prep in the other semifinal series.
“This kid should be the No. 1 player in the league without question, hands down,” Jerabeck said. “He’s in a different class. He’s a workhorse from Day One and he just doesn’t want to lose.”
Monsignor Farrell (13-4-1) isn’t used to having its back against the wall. A year ago, the Lions swept both playoff series’ and this year they had a relatively stress-free regular season, finishing second in the ‘A’, one point behind St. Anthony’s.
But the Lions played what Jerabeck called his team’s “worst game in two years,” a 7-3 Game 1 loss Friday night at Abe Stark Rink.
“This is the first time we were challenged,” said Farrell goalie Ian McBride, who made 29 saves.
Farrell responded to adversity in a big way Monday and it started with the trip from Staten Island.
“For the first time today we took a bus up here and we got a little hyped up and we knew we had to come out hard on them,” Gambardella said.
Thirty-one seconds after his team fell behind on a goal by Nolan McElroy, Gambardella tied the game with the Lions first power play goal of the game at 6:49 of the first period.
David Defranco stuffed in another power play goal at 8:08 and Gambardella ended the first period with a one-timer with 1:40 remaining, giving Farrell, which was 2-of-5 with the man advantage, a 3-1 lead.
Gambardella completed the hat trick with 3:35 left in the second period on a rebound and James Corey extended the Lions lead to 5-1 less than two minutes into the third period.
“I put that weight on my shoulders,” Gambardella said. “I knew they were looking up to me and I wanted to step up to the plate for them and I think I accomplished that today.”
After Gino Chiarello scored for Iona Prep (10-7-1) at 9:25 of the third, Nick Thorgersen, who had a pair of assists, added an insurance goal with 2:38 left in regulation. It sets up what should be an interesting Game 3 Friday night.
“We showed up tonight, but this could be the total reverse again on Friday,” Jerabeck said. “I think the butterflies are out. We were very tight and stiff, it was very unconventional the way we played on Friday night. I haven’t seen us play that bad in two years. I’m hoping the momentum might be on our side now.”
The best player in the CHSHL certain is.