First Responders…..
Respond with a comeback win!!
Most championship Finals do not live up to all the pre-game hype; this one did and then some. The top two teams in the Spring 2026 season put on a display that showcased why they finished as number 1 and 2. In a game that featured an up tempo pace all game and multiple game changing momentum swings, First Responders came back from a two-goal deficit, scoring three unanswered goals to pull out a gutsy 4 – 3 win over the Poo Bears. Both teams deserved to win this game, but only one could, and that team is First Responders, your Spring 2026 champions!
Heading into the Finals, Poo Bears was a slight favorite, mainly due to beating First Responders the previous six times they had faced each other since last season. All the games were competitive and close, yet, Poo Bears found a way each time to pull out the win. Plus, they were defending champs heading into this game, and the road to the championship had to go through them!
Right from the start you could tell this was not going to be a typical Finals when both teams play cautious “feeling out” their opponent, rather than sticking to what got them to the Finals.
Everyone knows the importance of scoring the game’s first goal, and it was First Responders who answered the call, from a senior citizen veteran player who has had an off year scoring wise. Only 1:37 into the game, Ray Nickerson found himself open in the high slot and buried his shot after some strong cycling work and forechecking pressure on the defense by Mark Stickney and Dominic Defrancisco, beating the goalie stick side. Unfazed and not rattled, that seamed to motivate Poo Bears as they got their running game in gear and pressured the defense that paid off with two goals scored one minute and sixteen seconds apart late in the period. With 3:35 left in the period, Rick Cassano’s hustle was rewarded as Rob Sheridan found him open near the boards on the right side and his shot beat the goalie clean. This was followed up with 2:09 left in the period with Rob Sheridan’s point blank in close shot beating the goalie, after set up by Rick and John Hines. This was the first momentum changing moment of this game. At the end of the first period, it was a 2 – 1 game with Poo Bears leading and both teams generating 10 shots on net in a fast paced up tempo period.
The second period started much like how the first period ended, as Poo Bears had the lead and the momentum and didn’t let up the pressure or their running game, which was causing some unforced errors by their opponent. This resulted in Marty Makarewicz being in the right place at the right time about twenty feet out, burying his shot only two minutes in off a turnover, to give his team a commanding two-goal lead. Clearly, Poo Bears had this game in control and could now make the clock run by slowing down the ball control with some defense to defense passing and dump and chase forechecking. Whereas First Responders were dictating the pace of play early in this game, now they were chasing Poo Bears, needing to catch a break to get back into this game. Cue for the biggest play of this game and second momentum swinging moment to take place. After some strong battling against the side boards by Mark Stickney keeping control of the ball, with 2:14 to play in the period, Mark found Joe Carlton open at the left point, and his booming slap shot beat the goalie for a game shifting momentum swing. It was THE defining moment of this game. This goal sparked a team-wide belief in First Responders to up their game and play even harder. At the end of the second period, Poo Bears were still leading 3 – 2, and outshooting their opponent by a 19 - 18 shot differential, and still had control of this game.
The third period was played at times with tight defensive coverage but also wide open with both teams looking to score the next goal. Both teams were leaving everything on the rink not holding back and made the final period very entertaining to watch. Halfway through the period saw Pedro Fontes take off on a breakaway, only to be caught from behind by the hustle of Dominic Defrancisco before he could get his shot off. Both teams had scoring chances, but, neither team was able to take advantage, until with 4:39 to play, Dominic found himself open out in the high scoring area out front and made no mistake burying his tying goal, after some very strong forechecking and hustle by two senior citizen veterans in Mark Stickney and Ray Nickerson. After coming all the way back from a two-goal deficit, could First Responders complete this comeback or could Poo Bears show their championship mettle and pull this game out to win back-to-back championships? At 2:35. We got our answer with the game’s third momentum swinging play and highlight reel goal and assist. After carrying the ball out of his zone at the blue line, Mike O’Neill made a play for the ages looking at three defenders in front of him. He moved left to right before the white clearing line drawing all three defenders over with him, and without looking made an unbelievable pass right onto the stick of a trailing Dominic who was wide open on Mike’s left, who hesitated for a moment realizing that Mike’s pass actually got through the coverage and was all alone. Dominic left no doubt as he buried his shot high blocker side past the goalie, capping off his team’s comeback. With 22 seconds to play, Poo Bears had a chance as they were on the power play and pulled the goalie; however, First Responders never gave them a clean shot and ran out the clock. The final score was First Responders defeating Poo Bears in a very close 4 – 3 win. The final shots had First Responders with a slight edge of 27 – 26.
On the way to the Finals, First Responders dominated and shutout Cam-A-Lot by a score of 4 – 0, led by Mike O’Neill’s 1-goal and 1-assist and Joe Carlton also with 1-goal and 1-assist, while Dave Giusti posted the shutout, stopping all 27 shots faced.
For the defending champs Poo Bears, they had a more difficult time getting back to the Finals, as they overcame an early first period two-goal deficit, scoring four unanswered goals to defeat Capo-Zero by a 4 – 3 score. Pedro Fontes led the way on offense scoring 2-goals, 1-assist, while Rob Sheridan was the playmaker with 3-assists.
For his overall leadership and timely scoring throughout the playoffs, especially in the Finals, Dominic Defrancisco earned himself the Playoff MVP award. For Dominic, it was his third playoff MVP award and first since 2018.
Congratulations Tony Bono. With his 17th career championship, and tying Ed Nigro for the most championships won. Tony was also part of a group of four senior citizen veteran players who made up the core of this team, including Mark Stickney, Ray Nickerson and John Kelleher.
Congratulations to rookie Mike O’Neill on winning his first-ever championship. It isn’t a record. But, it does count towards your legacy!
Congratulations to the First Responders team on winning the Spring 2026 championship of the Over-30 league. Players include: Captain Dominic Defrancisco, Mike O’Neill, Ray Nickerson, Mark Stickney, John Kelleher, Eddie Chin, Tony Bono, Elder Lopes, Cappy, Joe Carlton, Dave Wilson and Dave Giusti.
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