Reapers Answer the Bell: Hudson Valley Outlasts Boston 4–2 in Gritty, Fight-Filled Win

December 13, 2025 — McCann Ice Arena, Poughkeepsie, NY

The Hudson Valley Reapers leaned on timely scoring, special-teams execution, and a willingness to match Boston’s physical edge to earn a hard-fought 4–2 victory over the Boston Gold Kings on Saturday night at McCann Ice Arena.

What unfolded was part hockey game, part heavyweight bout. The teams combined for 50 penalty minutes, multiple fights, and a relentless pace that never let up. In the end, Hudson Valley’s depth scoring and disciplined third-period play proved to be the difference.

Just nine seconds into the game, gloves hit the ice as Salvatore Safonte and Shamus Doherty squared off in a spirited opening-faceoff fight that ignited the crowd and signaled the kind of night it would be.

Once play settled, Hudson Valley struck first. At 8:55, Ethan Bowman opened the scoring, snapping home an even-strength goal off crisp passes from Alex Tsymbalyuk and Matthew Komorowski to give the Reapers a 1–0 lead.

The Reapers doubled the advantage late in the period when Connor Woolley buried a goal at 18:02, finishing a setup from Corey Dunn and Max Henry.

Boston answered quickly, however. Just over a minute later, Brandon Garneau pulled the Gold Kings within one, converting off a feed from Cam Cordio at 19:04.

Hudson Valley extended its lead early in the second period thanks to the power play. At 1:34, Nick Shepheard finished a clean puck movement sequence, blasting home a power-play goal from Trevor Souza and Robert Clerc to make it 3–1.

Boston responded midway through the period with a power-play goal of its own. Ernie Isamatov, who had been in the middle of much of the night’s physicality, scored at 7:21 with assists from Cam Cordio and Brandon Garneau, trimming the deficit back to one.

With the game hanging in the balance, Hudson Valley’s special teams came through once more. At 12:02, Taylor Traenkle delivered the decisive goal, hammering home a power-play tally off feeds from Trevor Souza and Robert Clerc to give the Reapers a two-goal cushion.

From there, Hudson Valley locked things down defensively. Goaltender Michael Rockwell stood tall during late Boston pressure, and the Reapers avoided any late drama despite a flurry of penalties in the final minutes.

Postgame Breakdown

Shots on Goal: Hudson Valley 49, Boston 40
Power Plays: Hudson Valley 2-for-6, Boston 1-for-5
Penalty Minutes: Hudson Valley 24, Boston 26

Goaltender:

• Michael Rockwell — 38 saves on 40 shots (Win)
• Mike Cowell- 45 saves on 49 saves (Loss)

Three Stars of the Game

1st Star- Michael Rockwell (Hudson Valley) — 38 Saves on 40 shots (Win)
2nd Star Brandon Garneau (Boston) — 1 goal, 1 assist
3rd Star- Trevor Souza (Hudson Valley) — 2 assists