Bronx natives lead Stepinac over Rams

Archbishop Stepinac hockey coach Pat Scanlon says everyone on his team has a specific role. That’s what happens with a roster of just 12 skaters.

Rocco Miano’s job is to put the puck in the net. And he does it very well, especially when the Bronx resident faces his friends at Fordham Prep. The junior forward scored two goals and set up two others to lift the Crusaders to a 5-2 victory against the rival Rams Friday night at Playland Ice Casino.

“I know a lot of kids on that team and I always talk trash back and forth to them,” Miano said. “On the ice though, there’s no friends out there.”

Steven Yankowski netted a hat trick and had two assists as Stepinac defeated Fordham Prep for a second time in less than a month. On Dec. 12 also at Playland Ice Casino, the Crusaders cruised to a 6-0 victory. Yankowski, a two-way forward from Tuckahoe, had two goals and two assists and Miano added a goal and a pair of assists in the victory.

Michael Lanaro also has a role – to stop the puck. Although just a freshman, he’s all Stepinac has in terms of goaltending and the Bronx native has done well, especially against the Rams.

He made 27 saves Friday, none bigger than a puck off the right shoulder to rob Jonathan

Archbishop Stepinac, hockey