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Tim Horton’s Backyard Classic Nason lifts EA girls over Depew returns for seventh year It’s time to get your ice skates sharpened and start taping your hockey stick. The annual Tim Horton’s Backyard Classic returns next weekend featuring two days of ice hockey on four rinks in the backyard of the Angry Buffalo at The Rose Garden. The tournament is now in its seventh year and organizers are planning for up to 80 teams and more than 400 players to compete in this year’s event. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25, at The Rose Garden, 2753 Wehrle Drive, Lancaster. In the event of inclement weather that would lead to poor ice conditions, the tournament would be postponed until Feb. 14 and 15. Williamsville North High School graduate Nick Penberthy founded the tournament in 2009 as a way to raise money for area organizations. The event started in his backyard before moving to its current location at The Rose Garden. The tournament’s chairman, Chris Taggart, said this year’s event will benefit two organizations Unyts and the Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey Team. Taggart said he is excited to work with both beneficiaries of this year’s proceeds. “We were blown away that [Unyts] has so much
involvement with so many high schools in the area,” Taggart said. “We are glad to be benefiting the organization.” Taggart said that because the tournament will also benefit the Buffalo Sabres Sled Hockey Team, its players and their family members have decided to attend the Backyard Classic. “We are also planning to have at least one sled hockey game played each day of the tournament,” he said. Taggart also said he is thankful for the support of the Rose Garden’s owner, Joe David. “We have lots of room for expansion,” Taggart said. “And we love the backyard feel of having the tournament at The Rose Garden.” The four hockey rinks measure 40 feet by 100 feet and were each crafted by Pace Landscaping and Ice Rinks. Taggart said the company’s owner, Mike Pace, and his crew will be maintaining the rinks until the weekend of the tournament. “The rinks are really in fantastic shape right now,” Taggart said. The tournament includes play for adults and youths. Divisions begin with the micron level, which is 6 years old, extending through 8U, 10U and 12U. Each youth team includes four players plus a goalie.
The three-on-three-player tournament also encompasses several divisions, including 14U, 16U, 18U and adults. Teams in these divisions have three players plus a goalie. Additionally, players use a full-size hockey net and full goalie equipment. The tournament also includes special performances of Doug Allen singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” each day. Additionally, Sabretooth and members of the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association are scheduled to attend the event. Attendees of the tournament will also have opportunities to enter raffle drawings to win Sabres jerseys and other sports memorabilia. The Rose Garden will also feature a heated outdoor patio. Volunteer opportunities, including assistance at the registration booths, score keeping and ice shoveling, are available for youths and adults. Information regarding registration, donations and volunteer opportunities are available on the tournament’s website, www. timhortonsbackyardclassic. com. Further information is also available on the tournament’s Facebook page, which can be found by searching “Tim Hortons Backyard Classic.”
WILLIAM WILCZEWSKI
Tess Borgosz (22) grabs a rebound against EA. first half on one field goal and five 3-pointers. “I wasn’t really expecting it,” the 5-foot-7 captain said. “They tell you to shoot with confidence so I tried to do that tonight, especially because we didn’t have Emma. Coach wanted everybody to step up a Both teams were without key little more than they normally players. would and make up for her One adjusted in a big way. points and rebound.” The other didn’t. Nason certainly did and in That was the case when doing so upped East Aurora to powerhouse East Aurora paid 10-1 and dropped Depew to a visit to the Depew High Lady a five-game losing skid and a Wildcats on Tuesday, Jan. 20. 6-8 record. More importantly, The result was a resounding it showed the Lady Blue Dev53-30 victory for the Lady ils that they can rely on other Blue Devils, which in the aspects of their game. absence of 6-foot freshman “She’s been our leading scorer center Emma Brinker used the past three years,” East Aua lights-out perimeter game to rora coach Gary Schutrum said topple the home team. of Nason. Most of that came from seWithout Brinker, Schutrum nior guard Erin Nason, who said his squad was missing out finished with a game-high 19 on a potential 18 points, 18 points that included 17 in the rebounds, seven blocks, three
steals and three assists, but also forced his girls to step up on the other side of the ball because, “I thought as a team, our defense was awesome; it was smothering,” he said, “and I thought that was the difference in the game. Yeah, we shot lights-out in the beginning, there’s no doubt, but the defense is what did it.” In fact, Depew only had one double-digit quarter when they sank 14 in the fourth, but were held to just seven in the first and second, plus just one bucket in the third frame. “I think not having our big made our guards play harder, and play the kind of defense we’ve been asking them to play all year long,” Shutrum said. “Without a big that swats it away, alters the shot or gets the rebound or whatever, they really truly had to play defense tonight, and that was really good for us to see.” That defense, though, didn’t have to face Depew’s senior starting guards and captains Idalis Santiago and Sarah Federowicz, who were both out with injuries. Santiago had a high ankle sprain and Federowicz a torn ACL. There is a chance Santiago may return to action this season, but Federowicz’s season is over, according to Wildcats head coach Charlie Guay. “It’s tough, but I gotta give them credit,” he said. “They hung in there. The score doesn’t indicate that, but they hung in there and played their hearts out. Depew sophomore Tess Borgosz scored a team-high 12 points.
LHS boys track takes first at Brockport Redskins have State Invitational, girls place third tough opponents left
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Lancaster boys indoor track team took first of 66 teamsJan. 17 at the Brockport State Invitational. The Redskins scored 67 points. The Lancaster boys indoor track team won the third annual Brockport State Invitational last Saturday (Jan. 17) with 67 points, defeating 66 teams from Section V and Section VI. It was the most prestigious win for the boys team in recent memory. Junior Steve Neumaier won the 1000-meter run in a meet- and school-record time of 2:34.15. Neumaier was also a member of the distance medley relay team that set a meet and school record by finishing in 11:03.30 alongside Dave Krull, Jesse
Kucewicz and Brad Bedell. Colin Blair also had a big day with a double win in the shot-put (55 feet, 4 1/4 inches) and the 25-pound weight throw (54 feet, 1 1/2 inch). Throws partner Connor Strusienski placed second in the shot-put with a toss of 48 feet, 10 inches. Steve George placed fourth in the 55-meter dash final in a time of 6.65. The 4x200-meter relay team of Connor Fuller, George, Cal Hoag and Kucewicz placed fourth in a season-best time of 1:35.81.
Rounding out the scoring was Jake Valley’s sixth place finish in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet. Other significant performances were Brad Bedell’s 4:37.79 in the 1600-meter run and Connor Fuller’s 300-meter dash in a very fast time of 37.16. The girls team also had their best showing ever with a third place finish and 44 points in the 66-team competition. Sophomore Olivia Gervan tied her PR in the high jump of 5 feet, 4 inches, which was good for second place. Gervan joined
sprint mates Allie Mazur, Molly Scarpello and Tiffany Cycon in the 4x200-meter relay with a season-best time of 1:47.23, which was also good for second place. Gina Graziani posted a win in her specialty, the 20-pound weight throw, with a winning toss of 41 feet, 5 inches. Mazur was fourth in the 55-meter dash final in a time of 7.48. Rounding out the scoring was senior captain Kelsey Barrett with a fifth place finish in the 1500-meter race walk in a season-best time of 7:44.58. Other noteworthy performances were Cycon’s 300-meter run time of 42.58 as all as sophomore Morgan Foster’s 45 flat in the 300. The Redskins sent a small contingent to Monday’s Team Challenge competition at Fredonia State College. The boys and girls teams placed eighth among 18 teams. The boys team had a first place finish in the shot-put with Blair (52 feet, 8 inches) and Strusienski (50 feet, 1 inch) leading the way. The girls team was led by Katy Jargiello (8:24.4) and Sarah Folster (8:55.3) in the 1500-meter race walk, both personal-best efforts. Lancaster’s indoor track team visits Houghton College next Sunday for a varsity select meet at 10 a.m.
“Wrestling” from page 7
WILLIAM WILCZEWSKI
Lancaster 126-pounder Anthony Tigani (top) defeats Jamestown’s Micahel Quigley on Wednesday, Jan. 21. “I’m not breathing a sigh of relief until right now,” Langworthy said. “Lancaster came out ready to wrestle, and they wrestled tough. They have a great team and great coaches, so anytime you can come out of here with a win, you’ve got to be pretty happy.” Langworthy was also happy to remain undefeated, but also knew it wouldn’t be easy to keep that streak alive with teams like West Seneca West and Clarence coming up on his schedule in the following week. “It’s huge,” he said, “but the second half of our season is just loaded with good teams; it’s just very competitive, so you just have to scrap for every win in our division.” Lancaster still had West and
Clarence in its future sights, too. Wins there could do wonders to help them forget about the loss to Jamestown. Right after the match, though, that was tough to do for Lorenz. “Some of our kids wrestled really well; some didn’t have their best night … but that’s why you wrestle,” he said. “To stay with them that close is pretty good. It means we’re starting to battle now … but I want to win. “The kids may be happy that they kept it close, but I hope not,” he added. “I kind of hope they’re mad tomorrow. We’ll see and we’ll talk about it. Regardless and I don’t want to sound like (NFL coach Bill) Belichick but we’ve just got to change our focus now and get onto the next one.”
LANCASTER SUN LEAGUE STANDINGS AS OF GAMES PLAYED BEFORE JAN. 22 BOYS BASKETBALL
ECIC I Jamestown....................... 5-0 Will North ....................... 5-0 Frontier ........................... 3-3 Lancaster ................ 2-3 Clarence .......................... 1-4 W. Sen. West .................... 1-4 Orchard Park .................. 1-4 ECIC III Cheektowaga ................... 5-1 Amherst........................... 5-0 Depew ........................ 3-2 East Aurora ..................... 2-3 Pioneer ............................ 2-3 Maryvale ......................... 1-4 Springville ....................... 0-5
MSGR. MARTIN Canisius .......................... 4-0 Park ................................. 2-0
St. Mary’s................ 4-1 Timon .............................. 3-2 St. Joe’s ............................ 3-2 Nichols ............................ 2-2 Walsh ............................... 2-3 Nia. Catholic ................... 1-3 O’Hara............................. 1-4 St. Francis ....................... 1-5
GIRLS BASKETBALL ECIC I Will North ....................... 7-0 Jamestown....................... 3-1 Clarence .......................... 3-2 Orchard Park .................. 3-3 Lancaster ................ 2-3 Frontier ........................... 1-4 W. Sen. West .................... 0-6
MSGR. MARTIN Sacred Heart ................... 6-0 O’Hara............................. 4-0 Mount Mercy................... 6-1 Nardin ............................. 5-3 Christian Central ............ 3-3 Nichols ............................ 2-2
ECIC III East Aurora ..................... 6-0 Amherst........................... 5-0 Springville ....................... 5-2 Cheektowaga ................... 3-3 Pioneer ............................ 1-4 Depew ........................ 1-5 Maryvale ......................... 0-7
BOYS FED HOCKEY Division I St. Joe’s ...................... 9-1-0-0 Nia.-Wheat
.......... 5-2-0-1
Orchard Park ............ 4-2-1-0
Lancaster .......... 4-6-0-0
St. Mary’s................ 1-5
Canisius .................... 3-2-1-0
Mount St. Mary ............... 1-6
Frontier ..................... 3-3-1-0
Nia. Catholic ................... 1-6
Will North ................. 2-4-0-0
Park ................................. 0-3
Timon ........................ 1-5-2-0
Buffalo Seminary ............ 0-4
Clarence .................... 1-5-1-1
Division III St. Francis ................. 8-0-1-1 Nia. Falls ................... 8-1-0-0 N. Tonawanda ........... 6-3-0-0 Lew-Port.................... 5-3-1-0 St. Mary’s.......... 4-6-0-0 Sweet Home .............. 3-7-0-2 Amherst..................... 2-8-0-1 Lockport.................... 1-9-0-0
GIRLS FED HOCKEY Kenmore ................... 6-2-3-0 OP/Frontier ............... 7-3-1-0 Msgr. Martin ............. 7-2-0-0 Lancaster/Iroq .. 6-5-1-0 Williamsville ............. 5-3-1-1 Amh/Sweet Home ..... 2-8-0-0 WS/Hamb. ................. 0-7-0-2
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Rod, Gun & Game: Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo set for this weekend By Forrest Fisher
OUTDOOR COLUMNIST
The Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo is set for this weekend, Jan. 23-25, at the Niagara Falls Conference and Event Center, in downtown Niagara Falls. At this “cabin-fever” time of year, winter-bound sportsmen are looking to learn more about the outdoors and improve their outdoor skills. The Niagara Outdoor Expo this year will help with those needs, providing more than the usual outdoor show, since the show will focus on outdoor education. More than 60 expert speakers will present over 100 seminars during the three day event. With the laudable goal to educate locals and visitors about the Greater Niagara Western New York outdoor paradise we live in, helping folks just into the outdoors to learn more the abundant our outdoor adventures just waiting to be discovered. Most of us already know that the Greater Niagara Western New York area is an outdoorsman’s paradise, featuring some of the best freshwater sport fishing in the world. We have hiking, kayaking, snowmobiling, cycling, camping, shooting, photography and so many more world class outdoor activities! The Expo will offer more 150 manufacturer and vendor booths across 116,000 square feet of space at the Conference Center, while continuous free seminars will be offered in the 10 private, sound and picture screen conference rooms at the site. Numerous nationally and internationally renowned keynote speakers will be on hand each day. On Friday night, Jan. 23, one of America’s greatest outdoor personalities, Charlie Alsheimer, will offer two free seminars: one on Creative Nature Photography and the second on Ultimate Deer Hunting. Alsheimer is a legend in
the outdoor world and his insight into the world of whitetail deer is extremely knowledgeable and thought provoking. If you are a deer hunter and you’ve never heard Charlie speak, you owe it to yourself to sit in on his seminars. If you own a camera and want to take better pictures outside, there isn’t anyone better in the outdoors with a lens. In addition, expert angler, Matt Straw, will be around all three days giving seminars on fishing expertise. Straw is an expert angler himself and his articles are found in nearly every angling periodical around the country, including In-Fisherman, Great Lakes Angler, Salmon/Trout/Steelheader and others. If you are ready for ice fishing, this show will offer an opportunity to get in tune with hard water tackle with advice and new tips too. Whether you are a beginner learning more on how to get started, or an expert learning to expand your ice fishing knowledge, you will be able to talk with Scott Brauer on ice fishing gear and Mike Smith from the Clam Corporation, the ice fishing shelter guy. Both will be on hand to answer ice fishing questions. Tim Thomas from the New York State Pro-Am Ice Tournament’s and Winter Classic will be offering information on those new fishing competitions. Will Elliott will offer seminars on ice fishing WNY and Lake Erie perch fishing. This is the largest educational three-day show of its kind on the Great Lakes. Entry fee for the show is $8, kids 10 and under are free. For more on this show, see www.niagarafishingexpo.com to check the complete list of speakers and seminar times. Look for my better half and I to be on hand to meet with you and talk about the many facets of our great WNY outdoors, we’ll be in the booth with the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen. See you there!
WNY whitetail bucks are even more handsome in January, but it will not be long until the male deer drop their massive antlers and start to grow new antlers for 2015. Ice Fishing Report WNY ice coverings on our inland lakes have grown considerably in the last few days, but anglers should still keep in mind that ice thicknesses can vary greatly on the same body of water due to underwater spring locations and other conditions. So be safe before you are sorry. Drilling holes or tapping with a spud bar to check ice thickness is recommended on your way out, or when moving around. Safety ice picks, boot cleats, throw rope and a floatation device are always recommended safety supplies. Use good judgment and fish with a friend when possible. Those new to ice fishing can check the NYSDEC ice fishing basics web at: http://www.dec. ny.gov/outdoor/7733.html. The Buffalo Small Boat Harbor has good ice of about
8 to 10 inches, with anglers catching yellow perch, sunfish, smelt and a few crappie, mostly using small jigs with grubs. Anglers using tip-ups with shiners have hooked an occasional northern pike and rainbow trout. At Chautauqua Lake, there is about 8 inches of ice in the south end and 4-6 inches of ice in the north end, with perch, crappie and walleye catches reported by anglers this past weekend. Ice fishing is popular on Cattaraugus County lakes too, with ice fishing activity on Harwood and Allen Lakes offering fair ice fishing success for smaller yellow perch and a variety of sunfish. However, there is also the opportunity to catch large breeder trout that were stocked in the fall by the Randolph Fish Hatchery. Safe Act Statistics Since the controversial Safe
Act law was passed in January 2013, and was in effect by March, 2013, there have been approximately 4,000 arrests through mid-December under various SAFE Act provisions, these data from state records obtained by the Gannett News Albany Bureau, according to a report circulated by the New York State Conservation Council. The largest number of arrests have been in New York City (3,230), there have been 53 arrests in Erie County. Most of the arrests are reportedly for criminal possession of a firearm, which is a felony under the new Safe Act Law. The inside word is that Safe Act II is not too far behind. NYSDEC Summer Camp The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Summer Environmental Education Camp registration
opened on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Parents may register their children through DEC’s online registration system and pay by credit card, e-check or with a sponsor code. Parents and sponsors can currently access the registration site to create their profiles on line. It is important that all contact information is updated since email will be the primary method of contacting parents and sponsors. The link to the registration site is http://www. dec.ny.gov/education/61769. html. Look for the green “Register for summer camp button.” In addition to inviting parents to register their children to participate in DEC summer environmental education camp program, several local WNY sporting clubs sponsor one or more children for a week at camp. These include the West Falls Conservation Society, East Aurora Fish and Game, Southtowns Walleye Association and other groups. Information about becoming a sponsor is available at www. dec.ny.gov/education/1866. html The 2015 summer camp season will not include a price increase, as camps will remain at the $350 weekly fee, but this year, the summer camp week has been changed from 6 nights to 5 nights. The fee includes program supplies for outdoor lessons and adventures, 15 meals, a camper t-shirt and accommodations for 5 nights. Outdoors Calendar Jan . 23-25: Niagara Falls Outdoor Sportsman’s Show and Educational Academy, info: www.niagarafishingexpo.com Jan. 25: 3D Winter Archery, 2015 league, walk-on’s welcome, Evans Rod & Gun, Cain Rd., 8 a.m.-2 p.m., info: 866-5072 Send outdoors info to Forrest Fisher Column 10 days in advance, email: nugdor@ yahoo.com.
Bisons luncheon provides respite from winter doldrums By Mike Haim COLUMNIST
While there’s been an increased amount of daylight every day since December 21, it’s still hard sometimes to overcome the doldrums of winter. One remedy to that malaise: keep counting down the number of days until baseball benchmarks like the start of spring training or opening day. Last Thursday, the Buffalo Bisons emphatically did that at their annual Hot Stove Luncheon at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. This year, attendees received an organizational
update from Toronto Blue Jays assistant general manager Andrew Tinnish and were treated to “fireside chats” with Steve Tolleson and Chad Jenkins, two players who saw 2014 action in both Buffalo and Toronto. Just over a month before spring training begins, there is scant certainty as to the makeup of the Blue Jays roster, especially when it comes to pitching. Starters Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey are all but guaranteed their spots, and Marcus Stroman figures to be a starter as well. After that, expect an open competition. Two pitchers, Aaron Sanchez and Daniel Norris, who came through Buffalo for quick stints en route to their big-league
debuts in 2014, could end up starting the season with the Bisons. The same goes for newcomers like speedy outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and first baseman Daric Barton. Second baseman Devon Travis, acquired from the Detroit organization in a trade for the enigmatic Anthony Gose, figures to be in Buffalo after spending all of 2014 in Double-A. Tinnish addressed the challenges of dealing with players who believe they belong on the major league roster, only to have decision-makers like manager John Gibbons or general manager Alex Anthopoulos determine that a player is better suited to be in Buffalo.
“Especially for a young, upand-coming player, it can be tricky,” Tinnish admitted in a pre-luncheon media session. “Obviously the ultimate goal for a lot of these players is to have a long major league career. We try to put the players in the best situation to be successful. Whether we feel they’re ready for Toronto or they end up starting here, only time will tell.” Tinnish smiled when he said he is constantly reminded about the importance of providing the Bisons with players who can produce not only a winning season, but a playoff competitor. The 2014 Bisons posted a 77-66 record, the franchise’s most wins since an 82-62 division-winning season in
2005 as a Cleveland affiliate. Alas, last year’s Herd failed to qualify for the postseason, falling 1 ½ games behind Pawtucket for the I.L.’s lone wild-card berth. “(Our goal for Buffalo is) not finishing above .500 or finishing with ‘x’ amount of wins,” Tinnish said. “The ownership group here and the staff work night and day to try to win games and get to the playoffs. That’s the ultimate goal.” Tinnish admitted being pleasantly surprised with 2014’s organizational successes like Stroman, Norris, and outfielder Dalton Pompey. “From a development perspective, it was a great year,” he explained. “At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t so sure that those guys would
touch this level, let alone the big leagues. The fact they were able to make those strides is encouraging and gives us a lot of optimism about what these players can ultimately be going forward.” The Blue Jays also are proud that the Bisons’ entire coaching staff manager Gary Allenson, hitting coach Richie Hebner, and pitching coach Randy St. Claire will return. “It’s important to have continuity,” Tinnish said. “They got along well with the group and the Bisons felt the same way. There’s (usually) a lot of turnover in minor league coaching staffs, and we feel good about having the whole staff return.” www.twitter.com/mikehaim
Hasek’s No. 39 officially retired by Sabres By Dave Ricci
SPORTS REPORTER
When Dominik Hasek arrived in Buffalo in 1992, the last thing on his mind was getting his jersey retired. Back then, the young goalie from the Czech Republic was an unproven commodity just trying to win a job. “My goal was to become the starting goalie for the Buffalo Sabres,” Hasek said. He did that and more.
On Jan. 13, Hasek saw his No. 39 raised to the rafters of the First Niagara Center as he became the seventh players in franchise history to have his number retired. Hasek joined the Blue and Gold elite with Danny Gare, Pat LaFontaine, Tim Horton, Rick Martin, Gilbert Perrault and Rene Robert. “For me, it’s a great feeling to be back in Buffalo where I spent the best time of my hockey career,” Hasek said. “It’s an accomplishment for what I was able to do for this
organization and for this community, for this city and for the people of Buffalo. “I’m very appreciative and I am honored to be one of seven players whose jerseys have been retired.” One of the most decorated athletes ever in the National Hockey League, Hasek owns six regular season Sabre records and five postseason records. A six-time Vezina Trophy winner, Hasek captured back-to-back Hart Memorial Trophies and Lester B. Pearson
Awards in 1997 and 1998. “He’s a legend. The first Czech player in the Hockey Hall of Fame,” said Sabre goalie and Czech Republic native Michal Neuvirth. While Hasek’s unorthodox style would delight and amaze fans, Sabres GM John Muckler would often chastise the young keeper’s reckless style. It took an injury to starter Grant Fuhr to truly open the door for Hasek. Small wonder why, in those days especially, Hasek never expected this kind of
honor. “This is something that you don’t think about at all when you play hockey,” Hasek said. “After you finish your career and you sort of go back. Thinking about what you’ve done, what you’ve done for hockey. The people from Buffalo were calling me and I knew the last few years it’s coming, this day. So it’s not like it took me by surprise.” Hasek’s style certainly had a way of taking everyone by surprise and he made the
impossible save look routine time and time again. “When you spend 10 years on same team you kind of get used to it,” said former Sabre defenseman Alex Zhitnik. “But when you play against him, you understand how great he was.” The ceremony was held prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, the team Hasek won Stanley Cups with in 2002 and 2008 It featured Danny Gare and Rene Robert on the ice with Hasek.