FORT COVINGTON — It was a huge weekend for the Beekmantown boys’ hockey team.
The Eagles (16-3), following up on a 5-1 victory over the hosts on Friday, skated to a 4-2 victory over state-ranked Clarence on Saturday to win the Salmon River Tournament.
In the process, Beekmantown’s Louis Sweenor hit the 100-point milestone for his career, goaltender Jack Bell was chosen as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Zach LaPier accounted for three goals and two assists in the two games.
FRIDAY
BEEKMANTOWN 5
SALMON RIVER 1
Zach LaPier led the way with two goals, while Louis Sweenor (with career point 100), Edward Sweenor and Keegin Rodier each scored once. Edward Sweenor and Novak Jarus added two assists apiece.
Bell made 14 saves in the Beekmantown nets. The Eagles held a 4-0 lead before the Shamrocks (7-7-3) got on the board.
“It was a solid team performance by our boys,” Beekmantown coach Justin Frechette said. “Salmon River has a great program that is well coached and anytime you can get a win in their barn it’s a good win.
“Congratulations as well to Louis Sweenor for achieving the 100-point milestone tonight as only a junior. He is not only a great hockey player, but an even better team leader and student in the classroom. Louis was able to achieve this milestone as a true defenseman.”
SATURDAY
BEEKMANTOWN 4
CLARENCE 2
The game was tied at 2-all after two until Edward Sweenor’s goal put the Eagles ahead to stay. Sam Bingel then added a power-play goal to give Beekmantown a 4-2 lead against state-ranked Clarence (14-4-1).
Louis Sweenor scored in the first period for the Eagles and Zach LaPier in the second.
Bell faced 40 shots in the Beekmantown nets and made saves on 38 of them to earn MVP honors.
“I could not be more proud of a group of young men who laid it all out on the line and gave us everything they had in this game to earn a hard-fought win,” Frechette said. “Clarence is one of the top Division I teams in New York State and has 12 seniors on the team. This game felt like a state playoff game where there were momentum shifts back and forth all game.
“Our kids stayed focused on the game plan, were composed in crucial moments in the game and showed the heart and character as a team with their work rate and doing whatever it took to win this game. Our team leaders stepped up in key moments and were the difference in the game.
“Hats off to our freshman goalie Jack Bell, who made several key saves throughout the game for us and is playing great hockey at the right time of the year for us. And congratulations to Sam Bingel and Zach LaPier as well for being named to the all-tournament team.”
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Friday
Beekmantown 5, Salmon River 1
BCS;2;1;2;—;5
SR;0;0;1;—;1
First period- 1, BCS, Z. LaPier (E. Sweenor, L. Sweenor). 2, BCS, L. Sweenor (E. Sweenor, Jarus).
Second period- 3, BCS, Z. LaPier.
Third period- 4, BCS, E. Sweenor (Jarus). 5, SR, Robertson (Francis). 5, BCS, Rodier.
Shots on goal- BCS, 43-15.
Saves- Bell, BCS, 14. Gibson, SR, 38.
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Beekmantown 4, Clarence 2
Clar;1;1;0;—;2
BCS;1;1;2;—;4
First period- 1, Clar, Stewart (Graham). 2, BCS, L. Sweenor (Bingel).
Second period- 3, Clar, Wild (Buckley). 4, BCS, Z. LaPier (E. Sweenor).
Third period- 5, BCS, E. Sweenor (Z. LaPier, Bingel). 6, BCS, Bingel ppg (Z. LaPier, Demers).
Shots on goal- Clarence, 40-37.
Saves- Oates, Clar, 33. Bell, BCS, 38.