Newark, NJ — A year ago, Princeton Day’s season ended in a razor’s edge defeat at the hands of Immaculate Heart Academy at Mennen Arena. The 12-6-0 Panthers thought that was their chance to make it to the Prudential Center, up 3-1 early in the third, only for IHA to score a trio of lightning-quick goals to take it all away.

Not this time.

After splitting the season series, Princeton Day had the playbook to take down their divisional rival and executed it to a tee.

From the opening puck drop, the Panthers flew around the ice with the speed and power of the New York Sirens, the PWHL team that calls this ice their home, peppering shots from all angles, and killing penalties with grace and efficiency.

The Blue Eagles stood strong early, sticking with their defensive gameplay that head coach, and former German Men’s National Team member Jochen Reimer instilled in them all season long. It wasn’t until a late power play goal by Brynn Dandy in the first period that IHA would show a crack in their foundation. A crack that unfortunately for them cause the levee to burst.

Princeton Day picked up more and more steam as the game went on, with Dandy adding an assist in the second period to go along with an Aerin Bruno goal. Her teammates would take it from there, totaling four more scores in the third to win the game 7-0.

It was an impressive effort, coming off a thrilling 4-3 win over perennial champions Morristown-Beard in the semifinals.

Samantha Dandy added a pair of scores of her own, while Eibhleann Knox chipped in five points to help power their team to their first ever state title.

Given the back-and-forth between these squads in the past two seasons, expect their Librera Division clashes next season to be must-watch hockey