Boys' Hockey Ends 29 Year Title Drought

In an intense and spirited Division I boys hockey championship game at the University of Vermont's Gutterson Fieldhouse, Rice Memorial High School ended a nearly three-decade-long title drought with a 2-1 comeback victory over the top-seeded South Burlington Wolves. Trailing by one entering the final period, Rice's depth proved to be the difference in the game as the Knights wore down a Wolves squad that ran two lines for most of the evening.

Walter Morris ('27) opened up the scoring for the Knights, netting the equalizer with a slapshot that came to him off a Wolves defender's shin guards midway through the 2nd period. Morris sent the puck over the South Burlington goalie's shoulder to even the game 1-1. Rice got the go-ahead goal off a beautiful tip-in from Ollie Quong ('26). Colin Banks ('24) made a nice play off the wall to get the puck into Quong for the go-ahead tally. The Knights were forced to hold off a strong push from the Wolves in the final minutes, but goalie Henry Monaghan ('25) was up to the task, making thirteen of his thirty saves in the final stanza.

This one was particularly sweet for the Green Knights, having faced title-game losses in the two preceding years, adding pressure and anticipation to this year’s final. However, under the guidance of Coach Justin Martin, in his first year of his second stint with Rice, the team demonstrated remarkable composure and embraced the system this season. The future looks bright for the Knights, as they only graduate four seniors (Colin Banks, Joe Rob, Giles Heilman, Nathan McDonald), but the seniors' leadership and legacy will undoubtedly carry on within the program in the coming years.

Congratulations Boys!