In January 2025, the Rye hockey team beat Suffern for the first time in 32 years. On Friday, the Garnets topped the Mounties for the third straight time in 13 months, scoring three third-period goals for a 5-4 road win.
With the score tied 2-2 in the final period, Rye got goals from sophomores Finn Draddy and marksman Colin Nigro before freshman Connor Dehmer finished off the two-time defending Division 1 state champions.
Rye fell behind early, when Suffern erupted for two goals in the span of 12 seconds in the final 30 seconds of the first period. 2-0 Suffern after one.
In the second period, Suffern felt the familial effect of the oft-feared but extremely rare “Double Draddy.” Senior captain Ryan Draddy scored first, then his brother, Finn Draddy, brought the Garnets level. 2-2 after two periods.
The tense third period had five goals total, with Dehmer putting the finishing touches on a spectacular 14-2-3 regular season for the Garnets, who are riding a seven-game unbeaten streak.
Heading into the Section 1 postseason tournament, which will begin shortly after the winter break, Rye has cemented its place as the state’s top-ranked Division 2 team.
