Heartbreaking.

That was the word to describe Chaminade's playoff run last season.

They entered the postseason as the #1 seed in the CHSHL, but were swept away in two games by the Xavier Knights. Now, the Flyers have revenge on their minds and are hungry for not just a league title, but their first-ever state crown.

"I expect the team to bounce back from last year's disappointing playoff exit through hard work," said first-year head coach Keith Maicas '89. Coach Maicas had been an assistant coach at Chaminade for the past eight seasons, working under former head coach Ed Smith. After Smith retired at the end of last season, Maicas took the helm of the varsity squad, and he is focused on bringing Chaminade to the top.

"The team's expectations for the year are very simple - capture the first state championship for ice hockey," he stated.

When asked which players would lead the way this season, Maicas raved about everyone on the roster: "They are all impact players. No one player is greater than anyone; hard work and determination beats talent."

This mindset of hard work-beats-talent has been instilled in every player. The offense last year was flashy, creating many highlight-worthy goals. This year, the forward core will look to be more gritty. Forechecking will be pivotal to their success, and the mindset Coach Maicas gave the offense is to not always go for the pretty "SportsCenter Top-Ten Play."

The defense is similar to last season - a physical group that is not afraid to pinch in the offensive zone or lay the body in the neutral zone. 

With this combination of grit and skill, Chaminade is ready to make a statement and let everybody know that the Flyers are the team to beat in the CHSHL. 

They had their first test of the season Monday in their season opener vs. the Xaverian Clippers at the Aviator in Brooklyn. Right away, Chaminade faced some adversity when Xaverian scored on the power play early in the first period. However, Chaminade quickly responded with a goal from senior Jeremy Zawitosky to tie the game up at one.

Just before the end of the first period, junior Vaughan Steinert and senior Brody Murray each added a goal to put Chaminade up 3-1 at intermission.

Early in the second, Chaminade once again had trouble on the penalty kill, as the Clippers scored another power-play goal to cut the Flyers lead to one. 

However, Chaminade quickly responded with their own power-play tally, as junior Donavan Butler slotted one past the Xaverian goalie to make it 4-2.

Chaminade added some insurance in the form of a well-worked goal from senior Philip Dobkowski, one which extended the Flyers lead to three. Once again, though, Chaminade's special teams allowed Xaverian to capitalize on a power play late in the second, giving the Clippers some momentum into the final period, though they trailed 5-3.

The third period featured back-and-forth action until another Chaminade penalty turned into another power-play goal for Xaverian, cutting the Flyers' lead to one for the second time in the game.

Chaminade held strong, however, and with two-and-a-half minutes left in regulation, Xaverian pulled their goalie for an extra skater. The Clippers got some great looks on net, but junior goaltender Chase Martone stood tall in his crease and helped the Flyers hold on for a 5-4 win.  

"He was solid in net," said Coach Macias of Martone's clutch stops. "He was a big part of why we came out with a win."

Coach Marcias also acknowledged that the special teams wasn't up to the level he had hoped for, but also was pleased with his group's effort.

"We have lots to work on, especially special teams, but the team showed the grit and willpower to hold off a determined opponent," he said.

Chaminade will look to keep its winning ways going this Saturday evening at the Ice Hutch, where they will square off against non-league opponent Pelham at 6 p.m.