SMOKEY JOES WIN THRILLER TO CLAIM 2025 SSBHL PRINCE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

Smokey Joes 5 – Hooligans 4 | Final

Marshfield, MA –
On a cool Sunday evening in Marshfield, under the clouds in the sky, the South Shore Ball Hockey League (SSBHL) crowned its Spring 2025 champion in unforgettable fashion.

The second-seeded Smokey Joes, led by captain Matt Swan, overcame a relentless comeback effort by the top-seeded Hooligans, captained by Brendan “B-Mack” MacKenzie, to claim the Prince Cup with a dramatic 5–4 win in regulation.

This wasn’t just a game — it was a heavyweight bout between two evenly matched powerhouses, stacked with elite talent, gritty defense, and goaltending excellence. What followed over three 17-minute periods was a war of wills, momentum swings, and late-game heroics that will be remembered for years to come in SSBHL lore.

🟦 FIRST PERIOD – JOES SET THE TONE

The opening frame couldn’t have started better for the Smokey Joes. Just 50 seconds in, Joes captain Matt Swan intercepted a careless cross-rink pass from a Hooligans defenseman. Without hesitation, he drove in and snapped a low shot on Hooligans goaltender Paul “Panda” Mendonca, who appeared to make the stop — until the ball squirted through and slowly rolled over the goal line. 1–0 Joes, and the tone was set.

At 9:07, the Joes struck again. Off a faceoff in the Hooligans zone, Swan cleanly won the draw back to his winger Ryan Doherty, who stepped into a quick wrister that beat Panda through the five-hole. In a blink, it was 2–0.

The Joes were suffocating. Constant pressure, quick puck movement, and aggressive forechecking kept the Hooligans on their heels. Just 30 seconds later, Swan tallied his second of the night, taking a lead pass from defenseman Aaron Gerstel, who spotted him breaking through the middle. Swan caught the ball in stride between the hash marks and released a quick snap shot past Panda to make it 3–0 Smokey Joes.

By the end of the first, the Hooligans looked shaken. Their passes were off, defensive zone coverage broken, and nothing was getting past the wall known as Nick Bonofiglio in the Joes net.

🟥 SECOND PERIOD – HOOLIGANS STRIKE BACK

The intermission seemed to reset the Hooligans' mindset. Their energy was different to open the second — sharper, angrier, and desperate to claw back into the fight.

At 12:14, B-Mack got his team on the board. After receiving a short pass from defenseman Ryan Gurley, Brendan MacKenzie powered through a pair of Joes defenders, worked himself into space just above the hash marks, and released a pinpoint wrist shot that beat Bonofiglio cleanly. 3–1, and the comeback had legs.

What followed was a period dominated by goaltending. Panda, rebounding from a tough first, made three massive stops — including a blocker save on a clean break for Swan and a cross-crease glove snag. At the other end, Big Nick stood firm as Joey “J-Mac” MacKenzie and Cam “C-Mac” MacKenzie pushed forward, looking to narrow the gap.

Then, at 8:14, the game shifted further. With a rare moment of open space, J-Mac slipped behind the Joes defense. Steve Swi noticed the opportunity and zipped a crisp pass forward. J-Mac turned on it in rhythm and snapped a rocket past the glove side of Bonofiglio to bring the score to 3–2.

Suddenly, the tide was turning. The Hooligans had seized momentum, and the Joes — once dominant — now looked like they were hanging on.

🟨 THIRD PERIOD – A CHAMPIONSHIP EPIC

The final 17 minutes was a showcase of why these two teams were at the top all season.

Neither side gave an inch. Bodies were heavier, sticks more active, and shot lanes disappeared before shooters could pull the trigger. For the Joes, defenders Aaron Gerstel, Ben Lotzkar, Josh Chermatz and Max Schraut were throwing themselves in front of every opportunity. On one series alone, they blocked four shots in under 30 seconds as the Hooligans pressed.

Bonofiglio and Panda were spectacular. One moment saw Swan take a clear lane shot from the right circle, only to have Panda reach out with a desperation blocker save. At the other end, J-Mac weaved into a shooting lane, rifled a shot glove-side — and Bonofiglio robbed him clean with a reactionary snare.

At 6:00, the dam finally burst. The Hooligans executed a near-flawless breakout, with C-Mac carrying the ball down the left side and threading a seemingly harmless pass through the slot. The ball snuck through everyone and landed right on J-Mac’s blade, who backhanded it in from point-blank. Tie game. 3–3. The crowd exploded.

But just when the Hooligans looked to have fully wrestled control, the Joes answered in stunning fashion.

With 4:00 remaining, a ball dumped into the Hooligans zone was tracked down by Ryan Doherty. Fighting through contact, he knifed between two defenders, cut into the slot, and flipped a backhand that completely fooled Panda. The unassisted tally — Doherty’s second of the game — put the Joes back in front, 4–3.

The Hooligans still weren’t done. At 2:50, after a faceoff win, J-Mac corralled the ball and slipped it back to the point for Ryan Gurley, who fired a low shot through traffic that found its way between Bonofiglio’s pads. 4–4. Bedlam. Both benches were standing. Everyone knew we were witnessing a classic.

🏁 SWAN’S HEROIC FINISH SEALS THE CUP

With under a minute left and everyone preparing for overtime, the Joes had one more twist to deliver.

Following a won faceoff in the Hooligans zone, a flurry of bouncing clears and contested puck battles led to Max making a critical keep at the blue line. With surgical timing, he fed Matt Swan near the top of the right faceoff circle. Swan unleashed a thunderous slap shot that Panda got a piece of — but not enough. The ball popped up, arced behind him, and spun into the net with just 0:47 left on the clock. 5–4 Joes.

The Hooligans pulled Panda for the extra attacker. With 3.5 seconds remaining, they had one final offensive zone draw. The faceoff win found Nick Buckley at the point, but his shot was blocked by a diving defender. The ball ricocheted off legs, the clock struck 0:00, and the Smokey Joes swarmed their goalie.

The 2025 Prince Cup was theirs.

🎖️ FINAL THOUGHTS

It was a game defined by resilience, star power, and championship-caliber execution. The Hooligans, despite the early deficit, showed why they were the #1 seed with their poise and firepower. But it was the Smokey Joes, behind the relentless leadership of Matt Swan, the clutch play of Ryan Doherty, and the steady presence of Nick Bonofiglio, who rose above in the biggest moments.

🏆 2025 SSBHL Prince Cup Champions:

The Smokey Joes

🌟 Standout Performers:

• Matt Swan (Smokey Joes) – 2 goals, 2 assist, and the game-winner

• Ryan Doherty (Smokey Joes) – 2 goals, including a highlight-reel backhander

• Nick Bonofiglio (Smokey Joes) – 34 Shots Faced, 31 Saves, GAA 4.00, Save percentage .895

• Joey MacKenzie (Hooligans) – 2 goals, 1 assist, sparkplug of the comeback

• Ryan Gurley (Hooligans) – 1 goal, 1 assist from the blue line

In a league that prides itself on community, sportsmanship, and heart, this game was the perfect finale to a thrilling Spring season. Congratulations to all who made it a success.

See you in the Fall.

Dan Harding