The Cranston boys hockey co-op was swept by top-seeded Ponaganset in two games to fall in the Division II Quarterfinals last week. The Chieftains would grab a 6-2 win in Game 1 then a 4-1 victory in Game 2.

The Falcons finished the year with 10 wins and cruised to a 6-1 victory over Lincoln in the play-in game. Although the teams were scoreless through the first period of the first game, Ponaganset would explode for five goals in the second to put away the win. The Chieftains had another big second period in Game 2 which would be the difference.

“We played well against Lincoln, our senior leadership took over in the third period and they really wanted to get to the playoffs. We were hoping to hang in there and maybe play with a lead against Ponaganset, but we just ran out of gas in the second period,” said Cranston coach Matt Brannon. “I actually think we won four of the six periods we played, but they just took it to us in the second period each game.”

It was another step in the right direction for the Cranston program, which is still in the midst of a roster rebuild. The team, though, will be losing four players including Justin Drohen, Harry Woloohojian, Jared Prior and Jaedon Case.

“It’s hard to replace kids like Justin, they don’t come through your program often, he’s one of the best that we’ve had in a long time. Harry is also a stand up kid, their leadership on and off the ice is going to be missed,” said Brannon. “Jared Prior was a grinder, he was the type of kid that you loved to have on your team and would get under the skin of the other team. We’re also losing our goalie in Jaedon who has kept us in games these past two years. It’s tough replacing those kinds of kids.”

Although the Falcons came up short of their ultimate goal set at the start of the season, Brannon is still optimistic about next year as Cranston hopes to take the next step toward contendership.

“We won the play-in game last year so that was a rallying cry this year. We thought it was championship or bust, but we are still very young,” said Brannon. “To go from three wins to 10, the kids learned how to win. Now we have to build on that and learn how to win playoff series.”

Devin DeAngelis and Woloohojian scored Cranston’s goals in the first game while Jacob Case was the team’s lone scorer in the second.

Drohen wrapped up his career strong, being name to the Division II First Team along with Grant Bailey. DeAngelis was named to the second team while Drohen was named Third Team All-State.

Woloohojian made the All-Academic Team when Drohen also won the team’s Thayer Award (most assists) and was its Hobey Baker Award winner.