With one point separating three teams battling for two playoff spots, the CHSHL Class A division is heading for a wild stretch drive. Fordham Prep is hoping to book its postseason ticket and took a small step in that direction Monday with an 8-3 win against Holy Cross at World Ice Arena in Flushing.
The Rams shook off a slow start and scored three goals in a two-minute span late in the second period to put the winless Knights away and move into sole possession of fourth place in the division, one point in front of Iona Prep and St. Mary’s.
Fordham Prep (6-6-1) has three games left in the regular season and each contest – vs. Iona Prep, St. Mary’s and St. Joseph by the Sea – has major playoff implications.
“This is the second year we’re in a dogfight for a playoff spot,” Fordham Prep coach Alan Pilla said. “You give up a point or two late in the season, it could cost you a playoff spot. This keeps us relevant now until the last week of the season.”
The Rams entered Monday’s must-win off an emotional 5-2 win against defending Class A champions St. Anthony’s at Playland Ice Casino Saturday night. As big a win as that was, anything but a victory Monday against last-place Holy Cross would nullify its significance.
“The two points against St. Anthony’s and the two points here tonight puts us back in the hunt,” Pilla said.
With the game tied at 1 late in the second period, Fordham Prep erased a slow start and exploded for three goals. First Joe Regan scored a shorthanded goal on a delayed penalty call with 4:43 left in the second.
Ryan Mahoney scored the first of his three goals less than a minute later, firing home his own rebound on the power play and Chris Smith added a shorthanded goal with 2:40 left in the second to give the Rams a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the third period.
“It took us a little bit to get a flow going, to start moving the puck around,” Mahoney said. “Once we did that, we took over the game.”
After Alan Mook pulled Holy Cross (0-12-1) to within two goals with a power play goal 1:35 into the third, Mahoney scored his second goal on a wrist shot at 6:20. Jason Fabry’s shot found its way through a screen in front and into the net to make it 6-2 at 8:11. Michael Muller stuffed in his second goal for the Knights at 5:58 to pull Holy Cross’ deficit to 6-3.
But Alex McDonald added a power play goal with 5:12 left and Mahoney completed the hat trick with a shorthanded goal with 2:55 remaining to seal a big win for Fordham Prep.
“We just wore them down with our team speed,” Pilla said.
Next up for the Rams is archrival Iona Prep at Playland on Feb. 4. The teams split the previous two meetings this year.
“We always have tough games with them,” Mahoney said.
This time, it’s likely going to be for a precious playoff spot.
