Defending Power Play Senior Hockey League Champs, the Boston Gold Kings, will open the finals by hosting the Hudson Valley Reapers on Saturday, April 4 at 4 p.m. at John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown.
The Reapers have taken the PPSHL by storm in their first year in the league, going 14-2 and finishing in first place. The Gold Kings, who won the 2025 championship, finished in second with a record of 8-6-2 (with two overtime losses). During the season series, the Reapers won the first three games by at least two goals, but the Gold Kings skated to victory in the final matchup.
“The championship series is set, and we open against the Hudson Valley Reapers. We’ve faced them multiple times this season — including a statement 6–3 win in our most recent matchup — and despite earlier results, we’ve held them to some of their lowest goal totals all year, proving we can limit one of the league’s most explosive offenses,” the Gold Kings announcement said.
The Gold Kings reached the finals by winning the semifinal series against the Salem Sasquatch, two games to one. The series was a rematch of the 2025 Finals, and the Gold Kings clinched a berth in the Finals with a 6-3 win at the JAR on March 28. The Reapers swept the Holyoke Papermen in the other semifinal series.
The Reapers led the league in scoring, with 118 goals — led by Taylor Traenkle’s 23 — and let in the fewest goals (60). The Gold Kings ranked third in goals, with 80 — including 15 from Cam Cordio. The Gold Kings allowed the second fewest goals (68) thanks to a tandem in net.
“Now it’s about putting it all together. Our balanced scoring and depth, combined with strong goaltending from Evan Morelli and Mike Cowell, gives us the formula,” according to the Gold Kings announcement. “Against a high-powered Hudson Valley team, it comes down to discipline, puck possession, and finishing chances.”
Saturday’s game will be the final one at Ryan Arena for the Gold Kings. Game 2 of the finals will be played Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at McCann Ice Arena, the Reapers’ home rink in Poughkeepsie, New York, and, if necessary, Game 3 will be Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at McCann Ice Arena.
Tickets for Game 1 are on sale now. For information about tickets, click here.