When the dust settled, Coaches Yehuda and Shua Behar and their MAY Eagles were victorious and beat the Bulldogs, 3-1.
The MHL is the most recent installment of inter-yeshiva athletics from Mesivta Athletics, joining the Mesivta Football League and the Mesivta Basketball Association. The MHL, a competitive and exciting hockey league, was established this year with 5 pioneering yeshivos: Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, Mesivta Netzach HaTorah and DRS High School.
Leading up to the championship game, both semifinal games were nailbiters and ended up in upsets. YFR (1) took on Darchei (4) and Netzach (2) went up against MAY (3). In the YFR vs Darchei matchup, the game ended in regulation with a tie, 1-1. After one overtime period, a shootout ensued and, in the 7th round, Darchei won to take a spot in the championship game. In the Netzach vs MAY game, MAY edged out Netzach 2-1 in a close game till the end.
The championship game drew a crowd of close to 200 spectators. MAY struck first and took a 1-0 lead. But Darchei quickly responded to tie it up 1-1. It didn’t take long for MAY to score two more goals, making it 3-1, and held that lead for the duration of the game.
“The MHL is just another opportunity for the mesivtas in our community to enjoy wholesome and healthy competitive sports,” commented Rabbi Yossi Bennet, Menahel at MAY and organizer of the League, “It was very gratifying watching the teams compete every Motzei Shabbos, with many fathers, friends and rebbeim cheering them on from the stands.”
The MHL thanks the League Commissioner, Mr. Zack Kessler, the referees, coaches, players and fans for a great first season. Congratulations go to Mesivta Ateres Yaakov on the inaugural win.