The Gateway Bantam Gladiators finished the season as champions of the Yankee Conference Bantam division! The Gladiators saved their best effort for last, as the team outskated, outhustled, and outplayed the WHK Hawks for three periods of hockey. Jake Demoranville led the Gladiator offense, scoring a hat trick, while linemates Mike Ripley and Jackson St. Don assisted. Gateway also got goals from Zachary Lovendale and Josh Smolinsky. Robert Ramsay’s goal came on his deflection of defenseman Jared Westgate’s wrister from just inside the blueline, as Noah DeMoranville and Jameson Woodward helped establish a strong forecheck. Lovendale also added an assist in the game, as did Nick Snow. Zachary Pateakos and Steven Strachan allowed just one goal each, as the defensive play of Westgate and fellow blueliners Coleby Paling, Bethany Davis, and Matt Youlden was stellar. The 6-2 victory capped a 19-4-1 season in which the team scored nearly three goals for every one allowed. The Gladiators will look to defend their title next season as nine of their thirteen skaters are set to return to Gateway as second-year Bantams.
