Northeastern Clinton's Hayden Schad (3) with the hard hit along the end boards on the Spartans skater to break up the play. It would be the opening game of the 2026 Section VII Division 2 Boys' Hockey tournament, and it would feature the #4 Saranac Spartans hosting the #5 Northeastern Clinton Cougars from the AC North Arena, with the winner playing the #1 Beekmantown Eagles in the semi-finals two days later. The Spartans would get the first two goals of the game, 15 seconds apart at the 9:20 mark of the first period, when Noah Barton and Robbie Squier would score for the 2-0 lead. The Cougars would answer back at the 11:22 mark of the period and cut the deficit to 1 on the Scott Wrye goal to make it 2-1. The game would stay there until the 12:34 mark of the second period, when Killian Baker would score to make it a 3-1 game and regain their two-goal advantage. The Spartans would strike again 16 seconds later when Noah Barton would light the lamp for the second time on the night, giving them a 4-1 lead, and that's where the second period would end. In the third period, the Spartans would add one more at the 8:46 mark from Adrian Barnes as they secured the 5-1 victory. In the Spartans' winning effort, Max Coryer made 31 saves as they improved to 8-13 on the season and head to the semi-finals against the Beekmantown Eagles. As for the Northeastern Clinton Cougars, they would combine for 23 saves as their season ended at 3-17-1. Gallery.

Saranac's Ryan Campbell (71) and Northeastern Clinton's Hayden Schad (3) battle for the loose puck as they look to take control of the game. Gallery.