With the New York State high school hockey playoffs just a week away, the Gaels are working hard preparing to defend their title with additional practices. St. Mary's defeated Massapequa recently in the seeding process for the States. They still have to play the Suffolk League Champs for the number one seed in the state.

In the last series of the season, the Gaels played two games against Seton Hall Prep from Plattsburgh. In the first game, down 2-1, MJ Errante and Dan Doremus scored in the second period to tie the game 2-2. Both teams had chances in the third period and the OT, but the game ended in a tie. The second game of the set had more scoring. The Gaels opened a 3-0 lead in the first period as Pete Kaliscik and MJ Errante (two goals) got the Gaels off to a hot start. Steve Pfeiffer added goals for a 6-4 win.

In the Massapequa game, the Gaels won 7-4. Trailing 1-0 in the first period, Chris Corso tipped in a Zack Josepher shot to tie the game 1-1. Pete Philis also assisted on the play. Dave Seijo made the score 2-1 on assists from Pete Kaliscik and Greg Fosso. Tom Mele made the score 3-1 on the PP one-timing a Pete Kaliscik cross-ice pass. Max L'Heureux made the score 4-2 on Seijo and Anthony Mondello assists. The score was 4-4 late in the third period, Steve Pfeiffer scored on Philis and L'Heureux assists and just 20 seconds later, Greg Fosso added insurance off a Pete Kaliscik pass for a 6-4 lead. Rob Carbone finished the scoring on a Bill Fincke assist.

The next game will be the seed game with the Suffolk League Champs.