The Suffern Mounties boys are the 2012 New York Division 1 State Champions in hockey for the first time in 20 years after coming from behind again Sunday afternoon to beat Pittsford at Utica Auditorium. Later Sunday evening after the game, friends and family lined the streets of Suffern to greet the newly minted champs with a good old-fashioned homecoming parade as the hockey team rode in atop local fire trucks.

The celebrations almost didn’t happen. Saturday evening the boys hockey team rallied from behind and battled like true underdogs against the No. 1 ranked West Genesee Wildcats, fighting through four eight-minute overtime periods before stunning West Genesee in a shoot-out to win the Division 1 semifinal.

That put the Mounties in perfect position for their Sunday afternoon championship game.

But Suffern looked tired and lethargic as they took the ice for the state championship game against the Pittsford Panthers. The Panthers scored 2 quick goals on the sleep-skating Mounties. Pittsford took their  2-1 lead into the 3rd period and then the Mounties woke up, scoring successive goals, taking the lead and what seemed like Pittsford’s heart. The 3-2 score proved insurmountable and the Suffern boys claimed their long-awaited state title.

Mountie friends, family and fans who traveled to Utica for the game and cheered the team to victory were rewarded in kind as the team passed around the championship plaque after the game, waving to the home crowd.

“You dream about this,” said senior forward Willie Sanchez.

“Greatest feeling ever,” agreed senior forward John Redgate.

Mountie goalie Tyler Stark made 20 saves.

Big crowds lined Suffern’s downtown for a victory parade Sunday evening that included a fire truck escort by the Suffern, Tallman and Hillburn fire departments. Fans and family mingled happily with the team in an impromptu street party that celebrated the Mounties miracle season.

Photo Source: Ramapo Times with additional source from Lo-Hud.