Hockey Claims Red Division Title with Goal at the Final Horn to Beat Hudson

Hockey entered Sunday’s regular-season finale with everything on the line in the GCHSHL Red Division. Holding a slim one-game edge over Hudson, Rocky River, and Mentor, the Comets needed a win to secure the No. 1 seed in the Red Division of the GCHSHL Baron Cup Tournament.

They delivered in dramatic fashion.

Amherst scored at the final horn to earn a 4-3 victory over Hudson, clinching the top seed and finishing Red Division play with a 6-2 record.

The opening period was scoreless as both teams traded chances but failed to break through. Hudson struck first midway through the second period when John Paul Fliss scored at the 14:33 mark, assisted by Ace Berghoff and Max Koerbel, giving the Explorers a 1-0 lead.

Amherst answered quickly and decisively. Sebastian Smith tied the game at 10:28 of the second period off an assist from Fisher Sims. Just over two minutes later, Maddox Groom put the Comets in front with an unassisted goal at 8:24. Smith struck again at 4:12, finishing a setup from Deakin Kelley to give Amherst a 3-1 advantage heading into the third period.

Hudson rallied in the final frame, cutting the deficit to one at 7:32 on a goal by Brody Carter, assisted by Nolan Carter and Jake Zuydhoek. Less than a minute later, Max Koerbel tied the game at 6:45 with help from Zuydhoek, setting up a tense finish.

With time winding down, Amherst delivered the decisive moment. As the clock expired, Noah Cheatham scored the game-winning goal as the puck crossed the line at the final horn, sealing the 4-3 win and the Red Division crown.

With the victory, Amherst earned the No. 1 seed in the GCHSHL Red Division of the Baron Cup Tournament and will face the winner of Thursday’s 4-seed vs. 5-seed matchup, featuring Hudson and Benedictine, on Friday at 5:00 p.m. at Brooklyn Rec Center. Hudson, with the loss, drops to the No. 4 seed.