FOXBORO – Nary a foe was able to oppose them all weekend as the New York Rangers posted a perfect 5-0 record through the 2014 New England Pro-Am Mini Chowder Cup, capping off their run with a 2-1 win over Hockey Essentials Blue in the ’01 Division championship game on Sunday afternoon at the Foxboro Sports Center.
Both sides advanced to Sunday’s semifinal by winning their bracket with matching 3-0 records through the tournament’s opening round. In the semis, the Rangers rolled past the Boston Jr. Whalers, posting a 5-0 shutout to advance to the finals. Essentials had a little tighter match with the NE Storm, but ultimately advanced as well by virtue of their 2-1 win.
In the championship game, The Rangers broke into the scoring column first as Trevor Zegras, who was later named the ’01 Division’s All-Tournament MVP, put away a goal assisted on by Luke Morris and Aaron Aboodi at 8:18 for the 1-0 advantage. Morris, the game’s only multiple point scorer, then nabbed a goal of his own when he doubled the Rangers lead to 2-0 at 17:13. An unassisted tally that proved to be a much needed one for New York.
Essentials, who needed a late goal to win their semifinal game, tried for similar late magic in the finals, Robert Mastrosimone getting his side on the board at 27:05. Matthew Crasa assisted on the goal that cut Essentials’ deficit in half with just under three minutes to play.
It was just the second goal scored against the Rangers at the Mini Chowder Cup, and the Rangers aimed to keep it the way, as the defense locked down and netminder Spencer Knight kept Essentials off the board the rest of the way, laying claim to the title of All-Tournament goaltender in the process.
