By Joshua Boyd
Being part of the final four teams in the running for the Dineen Cup is not new for the Chiefs, as they were in the Atlantic Division Championship series in 2023, eventually falling to that year’s Dineen Cup Champion P.A.L. Jr. Islanders.
They also fell in 2024 in the Atlantic Division finals to P.A.L., but they took their revenge on the Islanders this year, by winning three games in a row after being down 2-0 to earn their first division title and punch their ticket to the Dineen Cup Championships. For the first time in four years, four teams are in one building vying for the championship, and for the first time overall, it is a double-elimination tournament they are entering.
“We started three years ago, we did not have a Premier team and we had no players, no pipeline, and no expansion draft for new teams,” said Mercer Head Coach and General Manager Rob Broderick. “We have made it to the Division finals every year, and in the first year, we lost both games in OT in heartbreaking fashion.
“It means so much because all of the teams in the division are strong, and all battle, and all are well-coached. If you show up to a game and are not ready to play, you will be beat – and that is the sign of a really good league. I am in awe of the players, and the commitment that I see from them every day.”
And every day means back to late August when the team first got to work. So, here in mid-late April, in order to be at their best when they hit the ice in Wayne, some well-deserved time off was in order – especially after the grind of the five-game series against P.A.L.
“The two series against the Hitmen and P.A.L. were so intense, and it is such a long season, we gave our guys a few days off and it was much needed,” said Broderick. “Guys needed to recharge, and getting away from the rink for a couple of days after skating almost every day since September was a good thing. We went back at it Saturday with our regular daily schedule of video, then on the ice and either off-ice training or a cool down period. The boys looked sharp all week so far.”
They know they’ll have their hands full in facing the Northern Cyclones on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. The Cyclones knocked off the defending Dineen Cup Champion South Shore Kings in the New England Division Championship. The Kings will also be part of the Dineen Cup Championships, entering as the Wild Card after finishing first overall during the regular season and making their division final.
“We have not played them this year, but I have been really impressed by not only their skill, but by their work ethic and their drive,” said Broderick. “All teams take the character of their coaches, and Bill Weiand and Bill Flanagan always have teams that are really well coached, and also that are really relentless and physical. It is going to be a battle.
“As far as our team, we need to play the way we always play,” added Broderick. “We need to use our speed and we need to match the intensity of this very strong Cyclones team. It should be great hockey.”
The Chiefs went 38-15-1-0 to finish second to the Jr. Islanders in the Atlantic Division. During the season, the team was led by Samuel Ciappa with 62 points and defenseman Jake Stevens with 55 points. Five players had 30 or more points, and 11 players hit at least 20 points. The team also had a huge 1-2 knockout punch in the crease.
“It all starts in net, and both Dom Gatto and Cole Werthman have been phenomenal. Dom Gatto is a pro and has been one of the best goalies in the NCDC for two years now, and Cole has come in and has formed a great tandem (and Noah Pfab has also been so good in practice and as a 2007 will be a star soon),” said Broderick.
“We really do have four strong lines and seven strong D-men. On D, I think Jake Stevens is the best defenseman in the league – just so smooth and sees the ice so well. Brody Finnegan and Jake have been stellar all year. Up front we have our all-time leading scorer Greg Diamond, who has the ability to take over a game,” added Broderick. “Justin Thibault is a 2008, and he is just a phenom. Sam Ciappa is one of the best forwards in the league, as has been Ryan Stratton. Easton Swift has been one of the best players in the second half, and Tyler Agnew is one of the fiercest competitors I have ever coached.”
The Chiefs will have all hands on deck ready to go when Friday night arrives.
