The 2016-2017 Varsity Steelers team beat rival Iroquois Chiefs 2-1 on Sunday March 5th, 2017 to win their 2nd straight State Title. The Steelers earned a trip to the state championship two weeks earlier by beating the Olean Eagles in a best of three series, 4-1 & 5-3. That series win also earned them a spot in the Western New York Championship. They would face the same Iroquois Chiefs at Keybank Center (home of the Buffalo Sabres) to see who would hold the WNY crown but they couldn't handle the Chiefs offense and lost 6-1 on that day. Five days after that loss the Steelers would face Friends Academy, the #2 ranked team in their bracket. Dunkirk Fredonia prevailed 4-1 Friday and would then move on to the #1 ranked team in their bracket, Syosset. The host team for the State Championship, Syosset Chiefs, won the Long Island Championship against Friends Academy 2 games to none. Syosset had one loss in 17 games before facing our boys. The Steelers played their best team game of the season rolling all four lines in a 6-0 shutout victory. After beating Levittown 6-3 , Dunkirk Fredonia, went in to the semi-final with the #1 ranking of the four remaining teams, They would face the same Friends Academy they played two days earlier. After being tied through 3 periods and short handed the Steelers had an uphill battle. Playing 3 v 4 Mike Meredith drew a penalty on a short handed break away. Once the Steelers killed their penalty and were on the power play they peppered the Opposing goalie. Hitting two post in a few second span. Ryan Thompson put home the puck out of mid air on his own rebound to move the Steelers to the Championship game for the 2nd straight year. Facing the same team that beat them one week earlier and the team the Steelers beat one year earlier for their 1st State Championship in 31 years they knew they were in for a hard fought game. Taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Ryan Thompson and Nick Pchelka, the team knew Iroquois had a skilled offense and were ready for the onslaught coming. After letting in a power play Goal, Nick Novelli, shut the door on the Steelers Goal and the team held off Iroquois for the second straight year. Congratulations Varsity Steelers!