Pearl River Sports: Hockey Opens With Greeley

The Pearl River ice hockey team turned a strong start into a 13-7-1 record and a trip to the playoffs last season, taking a big step forward after consecutive years with losing records.

Top scorers Chris Alexander and Mike Henry graduated, but the Pirates return much of the roster from last year.

Pearl River will face its first test at 9:15 p.m. tonight, opening the 2012-13 season at Sport-O-Rama against Horace Greeley.

Sophomore forward Kevin Murphy is the top returning scorer after racking up 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points as a freshman. The Pirates will look to him as well as junior forwards Connor McMorrow (10 goals, 13 assists last season) and Pat Burns (15 goals, four assists) and sophomore forward Max McGee (three goals, 10 assists). Two new arrivals, senior Shane Ocasal and freshman Tommy Murphy, could also make an impact at forward.

Pearl River lost its top two goaltenders, Lowell Hunt and Liam McArdle, to graduation. Senior Kyle Lakowski saw limited time. Sophomore Sam Coughlin is the other option in goal.

Weekend Events

The Pearl River wrestling team will participate in the Kingston Tournament Saturday and Sunday at Kingston, starting 9 a.m. both days.

Both basketball teams have scrimmages Saturday, the boys at Croton Harmon and the girls at home against Curtis. 

Share Sports Results, Pictures on Patch

Coaches, parents and other followers of Pearl River athletics, please send scores and information to ryan.buncher@patch.com or upload your pictures directly to stories about games as they are posted on Pearl River Patch. 

Don't forget this can include youth sports as well as updates on local athletes as they compete on the college level.