Paolo Brothers Win Junior A Hockey Championship

Paolo Brothers Win Junior A Hockey Championship

Rhode Island has been known for decades as a hot bed for hockey. This year, the Paolo brothers from Cranston reaffirmed the reputation. 

Alexander and Gianni Paolo brothers led their team to the Atlantic Junior A Championship - one of the premier junior leagues in the country.

The Paolo brothers - both top 10 scorers in the league led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights to the league championship.

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Each of the brothers played key roles throughout the playoffs.

Championship 

In game one of the Championship game against the regular season champions The Northern Cyclones, the Knights were shut out 2 to 0 to fall 0 -1 in the three game championship series.

In game two of the championship round the Knights came back to even the series and the Paolo brothers played critical roles - Alexander had a goal and an assist and Gianni had
2 assists. The Knights won 9-2 and forced a game 3.

In game three, the final and deciding game for the AJHL Championship the Knights trailed by a goal late in the third period. Alexander Paolo had been injured in the 2nd period and returned in the 3rd period.
With 30 seconds togo in the game trailing by a goal and an extra attacker on the ice, Alexander Paolo assisted to Matt Cessna for the game tying goal.

In overtime the Knights scored the winning goal. The two Paolo brothers were recognized for their superior defensive play.

Gianni Paolo finished the playoffs with 8 points and Alexander with 10 points.