After a tough loss to the Long Beach Marines in the first round to the playoffs, the Bethpage High School Varsity hockey team is not looking to the past, but only to the future with the state tournament just around the corner. After coming off a winless season last year, the team had a real impressive season. Although they lost in the playoffs, the team cannot wait for the state tournament, which they will be attending for the second time in three years. The team leaves Friday for Jamestown, New York, where it will square off against the best in the state.

The hockey team got off to a great start this season—their best start ever—going 3-0 and taking first place for the first part of the season. After a few tough losses, the Eagles found themselves sitting in third place for the rest of the season. Of course they wanted first, but third place was fine for this team—coming off the year it had—as it guaranteed a playoff spot and most importantly the state tournament.

As the season ended, the Golden Eagles found themselves facing off against Long Beach—a team they’ve never beaten. Although they fought hard, the Marines took the game 4-3, and the Bethpage Hockey team took the long ride home from Long Beach, disheartened.

The hockey team will get the chance to avenge its loss against Long Beach, however, as they are in the same division for the state tournament. After attending states two years ago, the Golden Eagles are ready for another appearance. The state tournament will take place in Jamestown, and the Golden Eagles’ division will include teams from Long Island along with teams from Niagara Falls.

“I think we’re going to see a great performance by our team,” defenseman Leo Karapetyan explained. “From day one, we said we wanted to go to states, and now we’re going. I can’t wait.”

Altogether, the Golden Eagles hockey squad seemed ready to play their best hockey of the season.

Led by coaches Jeff Schmeir and Chris Verde—as well as captains Steven Sciglibaglio and Anthony Regateiro—Bethpage hockey will fight to win on the weekend of March 5.