A coronation, and a culmination. For the first time in team history, Hilton is a Section V hockey champion.
The Cadets, making their first finals appearance, dethroned defending champion Pittsford with a 5-2 win on Monday.
Hilton slayed some dragons in the process. A trip to the final, let alone a win, once seemed like a pipe dream.
That was especially true after last year’s 19-win team was upended in the section semifinals, raising questions about whether the Cadets would ever break through.
Those thoughts can now be put to bed.
“Since last year, all they’ve done is believed in each other and come out for every game, every practice, every summer workout,” coach Chris Monfiletto said. “They believed and they worked together.”
“Nothing was going to stop us from winning this game,” captain Hunter Huttemann said. “We weren’t gonna let it slip away this year. We wanted that title and we got it.”
Because Section V owns the state tournament’s large school at-large bid, both teams’ seasons continue despite the final score. Hilton does so with heads held high.
Cardiac Cadets
In its last two games, no one would mistake Hilton as fast-starters. That was evident, in the utmost degree, against Pittsford. Only 12 seconds in, the Panthers’ Kelan Ahern took advantage of a defensive miscue for the game’s first goal.
“I don’t think that’s how you draw it up in the blueprint,” Monfiletto said.
Hilton’s confidence didn’t waver. Captain Mason Knight answered minutes later, and the teams then traded goals to enter the third in a 2-2 tie.
While prior experience in finals — Pittsford has plenty, Hilton none — would suggest otherwise, the Cadets controlled play down the stretch and were rewarded with three goals (including an empty-netter) in the third.
Hilton’s go-ahead and insurance goals were eerily similar plays. Defenseman Liam Porter was the shooter from the inside of the offensive blue line, while Huttemann provided the net-front traffic. Porter, who Monfiletto said has one of the best point shots in Section V, was credited with the first goal, while Huttemann deflected the second from what he deems, “my office.”
Such plays were a talking point in preparation. Respecting Pittsford’s ability to pressure in the neutral zone, Hilton wanted its smooth-skating group of defensemen to serve as one-man breakouts and get pucks in deep after crossing the red line.
“That was something we practiced all weekend. I guess it worked,” Monfiletto said. “Our defense has such good skaters. (The fourth goal) all started with Braden Burr getting it deep. We won a battle in the zone and threw it back for the shot.”
Winning one for the legends
Some championship wins carry added weight. Monfiletto noted the community support, how Hilton filled two fan buses for the game, and how he’d reacquainted with attendees that “I hadn’t seen in 15 years.”
Front of mind was also those not in attendance. Monfiletto referenced both of his parents, as well as Bruce Klingler and Tom Dowd. The latter two were members of Hilton’s original coaching staff, who died within six months of one another in August 2024 and January 2025.
The current academic year also started on a somber note, following the death of longtime Hilton coach John Farnham in August. Farnham was a three-time Monroe County coach of the year and, prior to this season, the longest-tenured head coach in team history.
That Hilton won its first championship on the campus at RIT, where Farnham played three seasons, is poetic. Walking around the arena before the game, Monfiletto saw team photos that included his former bench-mate, which was a sign of good things to come.
“There was absolutely something in the air, no doubt in my mind,” Monfiletto said. “(Farnham) was here tonight. All these people were here tonight, sitting together and watching the game. That’s what makes this so much more special. It’s in honor of those individuals who set the tone for our group.”
Quotes of the game
“Our forecheck was key. We knew we had to get it in on their defense and we did that, and we ended up banging a couple home in the third which was really big.” — Hilton forward Mason Knight.
“There’s a lot of game to play, so it doesn’t matter. Just had to stay positive and keep the energy going, and we’d find a way to win this game. We’ve had a couple slow starts, but once we get into it and get the legs moving it’s all up from there.” — Hilton’s Hunter Huttemann on the team’s early deficit.
At the end of the second period, all I told them was, ‘You have given yourself an opportunity to go win this, now go do it. Don’t step back from the challenge, go get it.’ And we did. The third period was probably our best all year.” — Hilton coach Chris Monfiletto.
By the numbers
.934 — Hilton goalie Lennon Suplicki’s save percentage this postseason, following an unofficial 32-save performance in the final. That’s a slight, but not insignificant, increase from the senior’s .926 mark in the regular season.
15 — Years since a team from the west side of Monroe County won the large school title. The last to do it was Greece Athena/Odyssey in 2011.
4 — Goals by Hilton defenseman this postseason. Liam Porter leads the back end with three, while Luke Zelesnikar also has one.
Up next
Both teams advance to the NYSPHSAA Division I quarterfinals. Hilton’s win earned the Cadets (14-8-1) a home date against Section III’s West Genesee. Pittsford (18-3-2) is the at-large bid and travels to face Section IV’s Ithaca. Both games are Saturday.
Hilton and Pittsford are on opposite sides of the Division I bracket, but could face each other in the state final if both teams continue to advance.
Here is how the game unfolded:
Hilton 0, Pittsford 0: Game start
The Class A championship is underway.
Pittsford 2, Hilton 1: 4 minutes left in the first period
Panthers score only seconds into the game, but Cadets’ Mason Knight answers. Then Pittsford’s Simon George scores on a shot that trickles over the goal line.
Hilton 2, Pittsford 2: 9 minutes left in the second period
Jayden Teetsel left alone in front and he ties the game for the Cadets.
Hilton 2, Pittsford 2: End of the second period
Panthers have the shot advantage 24-18 entering the final period.
Hilton 3, Pittsford 2: 15 minutes left in the third period
Cadets take their first lead. Hilton sets up a screen in front and the puck gets through. Liam Porter credited with the goal.
Hilton 4, Pittsford 2: 8 minutes left in the third period
On a similar play to their third goal, Hilton adds some insurance. Hunter Huttemann deflects a point shot from Liam Porter.
Hilton 5, Pittsford 2: Final
Cadets add an empty netter, and clinch their first section title in program history.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Hilton defeats defending champion Pittsford to claim first hockey title
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
