Durfee Hilltoppers - Varsity Hockey: Video Clips/Pictures: 1st Challenge Cup (1990)
Durfee's goaltender
The Hilltoppers' goaltender for this inaugural game was senior Jason Costa.
Bishop Connolly's goaltender
Eric Stubbert was the goaltender for the Bishop Connolly Cougars.
The Challenge Cup Goalie Profiles
Goaltenders Jason Costa (Durfee, red jerseys) and Eric Stubbert (Bishop Connolly, white jerseys) would both played major roles in the first annual Challenge Cup.
The Opening Faceoff ... (the beginning of the Challenge Cup)
Durfee's senior center Doug Smith prepares for the opening faceoff.
A Huge Crowd For The 1st Challenge Cup
Part of the huge crowd on hand at Driscoll Rink. This picture is taken on the side of the Durfee fans.
More of the huge crowd at Driscoll Rink
This is another shot of the fans in the Durfee section.
More of the sellout crowd at Driscoll Rink
This is a shot taken of Bishop Connolly's fan section.
Durfee's student body in the crowd
Durfee's student body cheers on the Hilltoppers
Bishop Connolly's student body & cheerleaders
Bishop Connolly's cheerleaders and student body cheer on the Cougars.
One final crowd shot (Durfee side)
To give you an idea on how electric the atmosphere was at Driscoll Rink on this night, I give you one final crowd picture from the Durfee fan section.
Durfee's Eric Bradbury on the attack!
Durfee's Eric Bradbury (#3) unloads a hard shot at the Connolly goal as the Hilltoppers' Eric Bertrand (#12) is ready to charge the net.
Matt Carrolton drives a hard shot
The Hilltoppers' Matt Carrolton (#28) drives a shot from outside the blueline as teammate Eric Bertrand (#12) joins the rush.
Doug Smith faces off against Craig Bernat
Durfee's Doug Smith (#14) prepares for a faceoff against Connolly's Craig Bernat. Durfee defenseman Matt Carrolton (#28) awaits the drop of the puck.
John Brum .... the lone attacker
Here, Durfee's John Brum (#2) is out numbered as he penetrates the Bishop Connoly blueline.
Bobby Rapoza retrieves a loose puck
Durfee's Bobby Rapoza (#5) retrieves a loose puck as Connolly's Paul Phaneuf (#10) applies some forechecking pressure.
Stubbert denies Smith
A sprawled Eric Stubbert denies Durfee's Doug Smith of a great scoring chance as the Hilltoppers' John Brum (#2) moves in.
Highway robbery!!!
If you look closely, you can see the puck deflect off Connolly netminder Eric Stubbert as Durfee's Doug Smith (down on the ice) was tripped. This action came in the first period.
Doug Smith pokes for a rebound
Durfee's Doug Smith digs for the puck as Connoly's Eric Stubbert covers up and holds on.
Tavares muscles it up
Durfee's Ricky Tavares (#27) checks Connolly's Paul Phaneuf (#10) in first period action.
Fightning for a loose puck
Durfee's Doug Smith (#14) was in the middle of most things on this night. Here, he battles a few Connolly players for the puck along the boards as the Cougars' Kyle Costa (#21) looks on. Again, as you can see, a huge crowd looks on.
Doug Smith SCORES!!!
Doug Smith clearly beats Connolly goaltender Eric Stubbert (who was barreled over by his own players) to give Durfee what appeared to be a 1-0 lead.
You got to be kidding??? I guess not. :-(
Durfee's Doug Smith celebrates his apparent goal only to have it waived off by the referee who said he lost sight of the puck. (Advice to ref: get a Pearl Vision gift certificate). To be fair and quite honest, both referees did an OUTSTANDING job on this night. A++
The end of period one.
The first period was scorelss.
Matt Carrolton On The Attack!
Durfee's Matt Carrolton (#28) is about to dive the puck at Connolly goaltender Eric Stubbert during 2nd period action.
Rapoza Hoping At A Chance
Toppers' Bobby Rapoza (#5) awaits the chance to unload his hard shot. Durfee's Eric Bradbury is taking the faceoff and the Toppers' Eric Bertrand (#12) is ready to crash the net.
Carrolton Tests Stubbert!
Matt Carrolton's (#28) low hard shot was a big challenge for Connolly goaltender Eric Stubbert who deflects the shot as Durfee's John Brum tries for the rebound.
Costa Comes Way Out To Play The Puck
Durfee's quick and mobile goaltender Jason Costa comes way out to play a puck as Topper's defenseman Matt Carrolton (#28) is pressured by Connolly's Jamie Carvalho (#17) in second period action.
Another Good Scoring Threat For Durfee
Connolly's Eric Stubbert makes a split save as Durfee's Doug Smith (#14) moves in.
Bradbury Breaks In
Hilltoppers' Eric Bradbury (#3) is pursued by a Connolly defender as he races for a loose puck.
Denied by Costa!
Despite breaking in 2 on 0, Connolly's Kyle Costa (#21) and Danny O'Connell (#15) come up empty as Durfee goaltender Jason Costa denied the Cougars on this great scoring opportunity.
Support By A Teammate
Durfee's John Brum (#2) gives goaltender Jason Costa (#1) a tap on the shoulder after one of Costa's good saves.
Another Near Score By Durfee
Connolly's goaltender Eric Stubbert is off his feet but somehow manages to stop the scoring threat of Durfee's Ricky Tavares (#27). The Hilltoppers' Mike Lopes (#40) is hoping for a rebound that never came.
The End Of Period Two
The game remained scoreless after two periods.
Bertrand Streaking
Durfee's Eric Bertrand (#12) is at top speed as he is about to receive a pass from defenseman Matt Carrolton during third period action.
Brum Looking For Smith
Durfee's John Brum (#2) draws some Connolly defenders as he looks to feed a streaking Doug Smith in third period action.
Costa awaits the drop of the puck.
Hilltoppers' Jason Costa (#1) awaits the drop of the puck to his left in third period action.
Denied by Costa again!
Durfee's goalie Jason Costa deflects a shot to the corner during third period action.
Bradbury Breakaway!
Durfee's Eric Bradbury (#3) is in on a clear breakaway midway through the third period.
Bradbury makes his move!
Eric Bradbury (#3) is in alone and makes his move on Bishop Connolly goaltender Eric Stubbert.
The breakaway outcome
Durfee's Eric Bradbury is robbed by Connolly's Eric Stubbert on the breakaway.
Bishop Connolly Bench Shows Concern
As the game came down to the final minutes, the Bishop Connolly bench looked very concerned as the heavily favored Cougars remained in a scoreless tie with Durfee.
Costa's Protection!
Durfee's goalie Jason Costa is well protected as he makes a save very late in the third period. The Hilltoppers' Ricky Tavares (#27) holds off a Bishop Connolly defender as his defense partner Bobby Rapoza protects Costa. Other Durfee defenders in this picture are Dough Smith (left) and John Brum (right).
Costa Spectacular!!
Hilltoppers' goalie Jason Costa makes an acrobatic save through a screen in the closing seconds of the game as Durfee defenseman Bobby Rapoza (#5) holds off a Bishop Connolly defender.
Late 3rd Period Injury to Jason Costa
Hilltoppers' goaltender Jason Costa is attended to by Durfee trainer Tammy Robidoux in the closing seconds of the third period.
The end of the third period.
The game ended in regulation tied 0-0. A overtime shootout will follow to determine the Cup winner. Each team gets three shots with the most goals after the three shots awarded the Cup. If the teams are tied after the first three shooters, an addidtional three shooters will try to break the tie in a second overtime shootout. In the shootout, Durfee is the home team and will shoot last.
Challenge Cup Trophy
At stake, the Robert Bradbury Memorial Trophy, named in honor of Robert Bradbury, a long time volunteer in the area's local youth hockey league. His son Eric, played for the Hilltoppers in this inaugural game.
Connolly's First Overtime Shooter
Connolly sharp shooter Paul Phaneuf skates in on Jason Costa.
Phaneuf Takes His Shot
Connolly's Paul Phaneuf makes his move on Costa.
And the outcome to Connolly's 1st shooter
Jason Costa made the save has he holds the puck for the referee to retrieve.
Durfee's First Overtime Shooter
Durfee's John Brum takes the Hilltopers' first penalty shot in the overtime.
Brum Takes His Shot
Brum takes his shot on Eric Stubbert.
And the outcome to Durfee's first shooter .....
Somehow, Eric Stubbert got a glove on Brum's shot and deflected it over the net. So after each team's first shot, the game remains tied.
Connolly's 2nd Overtime Shooter
Connolly's Kyle Costa walks in on Costa.
Costa goes 1 on1 with Costa
The Cougars' Kyle Costa beats Durfee goalie Jason Costa to give Connolly a 1-0 lead.
Durfee's 2nd overtime shooter
Durfee's Matt Carrolton (#28) attacks the Connolly goal.
Carrolton takes his shot ....
Matt Carrolton snaps a hard drive by Eric Stubbert to tie the game 1-1.
Emotions running high
The Durfee bench empties to congratulate Carrolton on his goal as some dejected Cougars appear in the background.
Connolly's 3rd overtime shooter
Connolly's Jamie Carvalho skates in on Costa.
Carvalho makes his move
Jamie Carvalho tries to deke Durfee goalie Jason Costa.
The outcome .....
Carvalho's shot beats Jason Costa to give Bishop Connolly a 2-1 lead.
Durfee's 3rd overtime shooter
Captain Doug Smith (#14) walks in alone on Stubbert.
Smith makes his move
Durfee's Doug Smith dekes Stubbert. He must score or the game is over and Bishop Connolly wins the Challenge Cup.
The outcome ...
Durfee's Doug Smith (under tremendous pressure in a do or die situation) deposits the puck past Eric Stubbert to tie the game 2-2 and setup a second overtime involving three more shooters.
Connolly's 4th overtime shooter
Connolly's Brain Camara moves in on Jason Costa.
Camara makes his move on Costa
Brian Camara tries to deke Jason Costa.
The outcome ....
Cmara's backhand slides under Jason Costa to give Bishop Connollly a 3-2 lead.
Durfee's 4th overtime shooter
Defenseman Ricky Tavares (#27) takes his turn in overtime.
Tavares 1 on1 vs Stubbert
Tavares makes his move on Stubbert.
The outcome ...
Stubbert does the splits as Tavares's shot bounces off the pads of Stubbert but unfortunately for Durfee, not in the goal. Connolly still leads, 3-2.
Connolly's 5th overtime shooter
Connolly's Craig Bernat takes his chance in overtime.
Bernat makes his move on Costa
Craig Bernat tries to deke goalie Joason Costa.
Bernat looks to score for Connolly
Craig Bernat appears to have beaten Jason Costa.
The outcome ....
Jason Costa flashes his stick across the crease to pull off a miraculous save against Craig Bernat. Highway robbery at his finest. This keeps the score 3-2 in favor of Bishop Connolly.
A team reaction ....
Costa's teammates are out to greet Costa following his super save on Craig Bernat. The emotions are as high as you could imagine.
Durfee's 5th overtime shooter
Durfee's Eric Bertrand (#12) attacks the Connolly goal.
Bertrand vs Stubbert
Eric Bertrand makes his move on Eric Stubbert.
The outcome ...
Eric Bertrand is denied by the quick stick of Stubbert. The score remains 3-2 in favor of Bishop Connolly.
Connolly's 6th overtime shooter
Connolly's Sean Stubbert moves in on Jason Costa.
Sean Stubbert makes his move
Sean Stubbbert's shot is sticked wide by Jason Costa. The score remains 3-2 for Connolly.
The outcome ....
Jason Costa is about to be congratulated by his teammantes for keeping the Hilltoppers' hopes alive with his save on Sean Stubbert. Connolly still leads 3-2.
Durfee's 6th shooter
Durfee freshman defenseman Bobby Rapoza (#5) goes 1 on 1 with Stubbert. He must score or Connolly will win the Challenge Cup.
Rapoza makes his move on Stubbert
Bobby Rapoza (#5) takes aim on Eric Stubbert.
Rapoza shoots!
Rapoza snaps a hard shot toward Stubbert.
The outcome ....
Durfee's Bobby Rapoza is denied by Connolly goaltender Eric Stubbert and Bishop Connolly wins the 1st Challenge Cup. The games goes down in the books as a 0-0 tie by Connolly is awarded the Cup via the double overtime shootout 3-2. The game goes down in the books as the GREATEST HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY GAME EVER PLAYED AT DRISCOLL RINK.
Final Score (Shootout)
The scoreboard tells it all.
The Victory Lap
The victorious Connolly Cougars hold up their 1st Challenge Cup Championship.
Durfee post game interview
Durfee's Eric Bradbury (left) and Jason Costa (right) share their disappointing thoughts with Paul Santos of Channel 13 following the game. The Challenge Cup Trophy is named in memory of Eric's dad, Robert Bradbury who was a great guy who worked in the area's youth hockey program. This game was a game that Durfee wanted very badly and left everything out on the ice. They played like champions in defeat.
Jason Costa speaks
Jason Costa expresses his thoughts to Channel 13.
Coach Maurer with Channel 13
Durfee coach Steve Maurer is interviewed by Alex Stylos of Channel 13 following the Challenge Cup. Maurer expressed high praises for his Durfee Hilltoppers who gave everything they had and should be proud of their effort on this night.
