By: Paul Pogozelski
It was a great day for the Junior Finals at Juniper Valley Park!
The Middle Village Players Roller Hockey League wrapped up its inaugural Juniors Season for players aged 13 to 16 with an exciting championship game on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The top-seeded Squirrels, small and mighty, faced off against the second-place Hawks in a matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Hawks took flight in the opening with standout player Mason Monahan scoring, showcasing his explosive speed as he maneuvered around defenders and slipped the puck past the goalie for the game’s first goal. However, the Squirrels quickly responded with two sniping goals from Paulie Pogozelski, followed by a tally from Freddy Faulkner, who also dished out three assists during the contest.
Nazariy Hirnyak, a key player for the Squirrels, added his first of two goals to extend the lead to 4-1. Despite the point deficit facing the Hawks, the team’s coaches, Joey Pagano and Donato Campanella, rallied their team, leading a spirited comeback effort. The League’s Scoring Leader, Conor Greany, netted a goal and assisted another to Joseph Chierichella, closing the Hawks’ gap to 4-3.
Nonetheless, Squirrels coach Mike Concepcion kept his team focused, and Hirnyak struck again with a crucial late-game goal, assisted by Faulkner, pushing the score to 5-3. The Hawks refused to quit, and Greany connected on a one-timer from Monahan to make it 5-4, but the Squirrels held on for the league’s first-ever Juniors Championship victory.
Middle Village Players Roller Hockey League President Paul Pogozelski expressed pride in the young athletes who participated in the league’s first Juniors Season in an after-game conference and said he is eager to see the sport grow in the coming years.
“Our coaches on each team make sure to give their best for these junior players and it’s reciprocated by the playersí dedication to the sport,” Pogozelski said. “Roller hockey lives on in their hearts and minds. They will make friendships here that will last a lifetime and I’m proud of everyone that steps onto the rink.”
Pogozelski also recognized the Goalies James O’Donnell and Artur Prosinski for delivering standout performances while under the early hot temperatures for the season, donning heavy gear and making key saves throughout the game.
More shoutouts to all players and coaches for their efforts throughout the season include:
Champion Squirrels, coached by Mike Concepcion: Gary O’Sullivan, Nazariy Hirnyak, Freddy Faulkner, Quinn Tashiro, Daniel Gonzalez, Gino Campo, and standout goalie James O’Donnell.
The Champion Squirrels
Runner-Up Hawks, coached by Joey Pagano and Donato Campanella: Joseph Scotti, Mason Monahan, Conor Greany, Anthony Corso, Joey ‘Cheech’ Chierichella, Joaquin Lozano, Mike Rizzo, and Artur Prosinski.
The Runner-Up Hawks
Third-Place Dolphins, coached by Paul and Giedre Pogozelski: Simon Steskal, Paulie Pogozelski, Lukas Hamrak, Patrick Fegan, Jacob Palese, Valeryn Celis, Oskar Gogolewski, and Goalie Juan Jose Munoz.
The league extends its thanks to all parents, players, coaches, and administrators, Pete Mastrandea, Gary Posylkin, Craig Tallini, Thomas and Peter Pieniadz, for their dedication and support.
