Blue Devils win second straight title

Craig Willis pumped in a shorthanded goal midway through the third period to lead the Brockport Blue Devils to a 2-1 victory over the Greece Thunder and their second consecutive Section Five Division I High School Hockey Championship.

After a scoreless first period, the Blue Devils took a 1-0 lead on junior defenseman Chris Emmerick's first goal of the season at the 13:39 mark. The Thunder tied the game early in the third period and had the momentum when they went on a power play - just their second of the game - with eight minutes left in regulation. Brockport goaltender Pat Young made one of his 21 saves and sent Willis and Casey Balog away shorthanded for what would become the game-winner. The Blue Devils defense and fore-checkers stifled the Thunder over the final three minutes, not allowing them to pull their goaltender for an extra attacker until just seconds remained.

It was Brockport's fourth title overall - they won two Division II titles in 1990 and 1994 - and head coach Scott Empey's second championship in his three years with the program. "Last year it was just about respect, but this year we used our experience in big games to our advantage," said Empey, who kneeled down to kiss the center red dot well after both teams had left the ice.

Brockport moves on to the state tournament, but advance straight to the Regional round to battle Seton Catholic from Section VII March 1 in Plattsburgh. A win would move them to the final four in Utica for the second season in a row March 8-9.

Senior Colby Jones was named the Most Valuable Player in the White Division. Willis and Balog were named to the season-ending All-Star first team.