Reapers Score 3 on Special Teams, Pull Away from Gold Kings 6–1 on First Responder Appreciation Night

January 24, 2026 — John A. Ryan Skating Arena, Watertown, MA.

The Hudson Valley Reapers delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Saturday night, riding a lethal power play and disciplined defensive effort to a 6–1 victory over the Boston Gold Kings.

Hudson Valley converted three power-play goals, outlasted a physical second period, and received steady goaltending to snap the game open in the third.

The opening period was tight, physical, and defensive-minded as both teams tested each other early without yielding many clean looks.

The breakthrough came at 13:51, when Taylor Traenkle opened the scoring for the Reapers. Trevor Souza got the puck to Robert Clerc who moved the puck quickly into space, and Traenkle buried a clean look from the slot to give Hudson Valley a 1–0 lead.

Momentum swung early in the second as Boston found an equalizer at 11:32. Jon Lounsbury finished a crisp passing sequence from Cam Cordio and Brian Cebula, knotting the game at 1–1 and briefly energizing the home crowd.

That momentum was short-lived. Just over a minute later, Traenkle struck again. Clerc and Nick DiNicola worked the puck low to high, setting Traenkle up for a quick release that beat the goaltender cleanly and restored Hudson Valley’s lead at 2–1.

The period quickly escalated in intensity. Penalties piled up on both sides, including a fight between Clerc and Derek Clark, as the game took on a chippy, playoff-style feel. Hudson Valley took advantage of the chaos.

At 14:04, Nick Shepheard converted on the power play, redirecting a pass from Souza with Brett Jackson providing traffic out front. The goal gave the Reapers a 3–1 cushion and proved to be a turning point.

Just 3:01 into the third, Trevor Souza finished off a power-play opportunity, snapping home a pass from Clerc and DiNicola to extend the lead to 4–1. Boston struggled to regain composure as Hudson Valley continued to apply pressure shift after shift.

Less than two minutes later, Brett Jackson added to the surge, burying an even-strength goal off a setup from Greg Powell and Gino Santaguida to make it 5–1. The Reapers’ depth was on full display, with contributions coming from every line.

Traenkle completed his hat trick at 10:58, once again on the power play. DiNicola and Souza combined to find Traenkle in space, and he finished with authority for his third goal of the night, sealing the outcome at 6–1.

Postgame Breakdown

Shots on Goal

• Boston- 37
• Hudson Valley- 38

Power Plays

• Boston- 0-for-5
• Hudson Valley- 3-for-9

Penalty Minutes

• Boston- 25
• Hudson Valley- 17

Goaltenders

• Hudson Valley: Michael Rockwell– 28 saves on 29 shots (Win)
• Hudson Valley: Jack Messing- 8 saves on 8 shots
• Boston: Mike Cowell– 32 saves on 38 shots (Loss)

Coming up

• 1/31 Boston at Salem at 7:30pm @ The Salem Icenter
• 2/7 Norfolk at Hudson Valley at 7:0pm @ McCann Arena

Three Stars of the Game

1. Trevor Souza (Hudson Valley) — 1 goal ,3 assists
2. Taylor Traenkle (Hudson Valley) — 3 goals
3. Nick DiNicola (Hudson Valley) — 3 assists