The boys varsity ice hockey team claimed the Founders League title for the first time since 2015 on Thursday, January 26, after playing Avon Old Farms to a 1-1 overtime tie.

Knowing that they needed a win or a tie to claim the league title outright, the Pelicans came into the game a bit nervous, and it affected their play. Avon Old Farms jumped all over the Pelicans early and had the better of the action in the first period. Avon produced 18 shots on goal in the period and found the back of the net only once, thanks to several highlight-reel saves from senior goaltender and assistant captain Andrew Heinze.

After collecting themselves in the first intermission, the Pelicans started the second period strong. They began creating scoring chances of their own but couldn’t build much momentum after getting themselves into some penalty trouble. They gave up a penalty shot opportunity to the Winged Beavers, but Heinze made a big save that kept Avon off the scoreboard in the second period, leaving the Pelicans down by only one goal with one period to go.

The third period was by the far the Pelicans’ best. They had stretches of play where they dominated in the offensive zone but couldn’t find the back of the net. The arrival of a large group of Loomis Chaffee student fans also ignited the Pelicans.

With just under two minutes left to play and still down a goal, Loomis head coach J.R. Zavisza o pulled Heinze from the net to allow an extra skater, and with the 6-on-5 advantage the Pelicans made their final push to tie the game.

Loomis earned an offensive zone faceoff with 64 seconds left on the clock, and senior centerman Jacob Hookman-Vassa won the faceoff back to give the Pelicans possession. Eventually the puck found its way toward the net, and in the ensuing scrum junior forward Cory Alissi fired a shot past the Avon goaltender to tie the game with just 28 seconds left. Senior Makai Tarjamo and junior Easton Swift recorded assists on the play.

In overtime, Avon earned another powerplay opportunity, but the Pelicans executed their penalty kill perfectly and managed to keep the score even at one to secure the Founders League title.

Loomis has a quick turnaround, taking on Phillips Academy Andover on Saturday, January 28, at 2:15 p.m. in Andover, Mass.