Alvirne athletic director Karen Bonney said after the game that on Friday the school filed paperwork with the NHIAA to co-op with another school, Milford, next year. Under the current co-op rules ,the combined enrollment of the two would place the Bronco-Spartan union into Division I next season.

The Broncos ended this season 4-14, after a loss to Merrimack in their finale.

Alvirne scored first on a power play goal by Desfosses, assisted by Justin Carbonneau, at 9:40 of the first. But with 35 seconds left in the period, the ‘Hawks tied it when Alvirne goalie Shane Pimentel initially stopped a Stimeling slap shot, but the puck trickled in behind him. Licata got the assist.

Bonney said the impetus for the school’s second co-op move this decade was due to projections two years from now. Milford, meanwhile, was seeking a partner, as athletic director Marc Maurais said two months ago he would try to do due to growing interest.