Just one day after Chaminade's students completed their trimester exams, the JV hockey team faced off against Kellenberg at Iceland in New Hyde Park on Friday, December 20. Led by goals from John DiPaolo, Landon Butler, Nickolaos Pirgousis, and Emilio Diaz, the Flyers skated to an 8-1 victory.

However, the star of the game was the Flyers' captain, Cole Lombardo, who netted a hat trick against the Firebirds. After the game, head coach Walter Gilroy offered the sophomore forward nothing but praise:

"Cole is a tremendous captain and leader," said Gilroy. "He leads by example and elevates every other player's game through his unparalleled work ethic and will to win."

Gilroy's words rang true in his team's next game against Iona Prep, as Lombardo incredibly posted his second hat trick in three days to lead Chaminade to a 7-1 victory in their last game before Christmas break. Iona Prep, who last season tied with Chaminade in the regular season before falling to them in the championship, has now twice been defeated by the Flyers this season - by a combined score of 11-3.

"Iona Prep was definitely our toughest opponent last season," admitted Gilroy. "The team was ready for the test this year, and we have handled them twice, but we see them once more in the regular season and possibly in the playoffs," he reflected, promising, "We will be ready."

Following an 11-day hiatus, the Crimson and Gold brought in the new year with a 4-1 win over Monsignor Farrell on January 3. The victory represented a bit of revenge for the JV squad, whose perfect record is blemished only by a 3-3 tie against Farrell on December 8.

"Monsignor Farrell has stepped up to be the team this year that can possibly go toe-to-toe with us," predicted Coach Gilroy. "I anticipate seeing them in the playoffs or finals, for sure."

Luciano Scarpati, Chet Wakie, Giovanni Sferrazza, and Diaz all registered points in the victory over Msgr. Farrell, with the freshman Diaz continuing his emergence as a key player for Chaminade.

Now at the midpoint of their regular-season schedule, the Flyers remain undefeated at 8-0-1.