U-32 Knocks Out North Country, In State Semifinal Matchup
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- Created on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 02:48
- Written by Max Kocha
LYNDON - The North Country High School boys hockey team's championship run came to an end in Vermont's High School Division II semifinals after a hard-fought game against U-32 High School.
The game took place in Lyndon, Vermont, at the Fenton Chester Arena, where this game would decide who moves on to the state championship. North Country High School was the favorite coming into this contest, but the U-32 squad was more than capable enough to pull off the victory, as they showed in this semifinal matchup.
The game got started, and U-32 would score first early in the first period, as Camden Leno Scored to give U-32 the 1-0 lead. This is where the drama picked up, as fights would break out, 2 players from each side were given 2 minutes penalties after the altercation ended. This just added fire to the flames and changed the whole setting for the game. 6 penalties were called against U-32 all night, compared to 2 against North Country.
We go into the 2nd quarter, where both teams couldn't connect on many scoring opportunities. As we enter the final period and many players are touching the ice for the last time, you could feel the tension rise in the arena. The fans, the players, and the coaches were all tuned in for the 3rd period.
It started with a 2-0 lead extension for U-32 as Jack Scribner would find the back of the net. North Country needed something fast, and they did, when Senior Matej Dusek answered to cut the lead back to one with 8 minutes left. Despite some late opportunities to even the score, North Country couldn't complete the comeback, sending the U-32 Men's Hockey team to the State Championship game.
After the game, freshman goalie for U-32 Grayson Nease talked about the victory. Grayson Nease, "This win felt really good, but we've got to keep our heads focused for the next game. Thats the one we really want to win."
With the win, U-32 takes a spot in the Division II championship game, as North Country closes out the season posting a record of 16-4-1, after a huge playoff push that got them a place in the semifinals. U-32 will face off against the winner of Number 1 Hardwood and Number 5 Middlebury for a chance to win the State championship. The title game is at the University of Vermont's Gutterson Fieldhouse, where the game will be held on Sunday, March 15th, at 7 pm.
