The Warwick boys co-op hockey team  fell to undefeated, top-seeded La Salle in two games in the Division I Quarterfinals last week.

The high-flying Rams would roll to a 5-0 win in Game 1 and would edge Warwick 2-0 in Game 2 at Thayer Arena to clinch the win.

“Game 2 was the best game that we played all season. Held it to 1-0 and then they scored on the open net. We’re really proud of how the kids worked. Game 1 we were out played, Game 2 was a different story I thought. Even strength, we stayed with them all night long. And that’s all you work for, improvement,” said Warwick coach Mike Boyajian.

LaSalle would take a 2-0 lead into the third period of Game 1, but would jump out to score three straight goals in the opening six minutes to put the game out of reach.

Game 2 proved to be much closer, as LaSalle led by just one goal down the stretch and would score its second goal on an empty net in the final minute. The Rams’ first goal came with just eight seconds left on the penalty kill.

Despite the loss, Boyajian was happy to see his team be competitive against the powerhouse Rams and to gain some valuable big game experience in its first year back in the Division I ranks.

“That playoff experience against a team like La Salle is so valuable. The regular season is one thing, but the  playoffs is a whole other level so it is good that the kids got that experience,” said Boyajian.

Boyajian was also encouraged by the team’s improvement throughout the year as it competed in nearly every game that it played.

“The kids learned. They learned how to slow teams down. We knew that it would take time, but they figured it out as a season wore on. We are returning our nucleus, we’re pretty deep. Next year they will know what this league is about and what the routine is about,” said Boyajian.

With all of its defensive core, it’s goalie, and all by just two forwards returning, Warwick expects to take a step forward next year and become a force in the division.

“You’ll only get better playing a team like that. When you play a team like La Salle, your level of play goes up. That will carry over into next season, knowing that they played an elite team and hung in there with them. The kids have a ton of confidence now they are already excited to get back at it. It’s a good thing for our program, it’s a good thing for the city,” said Boyajian.

Ryan Barlow lead the team this season with eight goals and eighth assists