NY Hockey Online Magazine

NY HOCKEY MARCH 2016

VOLUME 5 ISSUE 6

Photo Pages Featuring Alex Bay/Thou Is Beekmantown Binghamton Canton Cheektowaga NJPE Rochester Youth Rome

E-MAGAZINE

M A N R U O T !

S E ’ M IT I T

T EN

Register Early for Summer Camps and Save 10% Adult and all-ages summer camps are now open for registration on the new-and-improved bobjanosz.com. For a limited time save 10% on camp registration by entering the coupon code “camps10� at checkout.

2016 Summer Goalie Camps: Amherst Adult Goalie Camp June 3-4 Buffalo: Northtown Center Syracuse Pre-Season Goalie Camp July 25 - 28 Syracuse: Cicero Twin Ice Arena Buffalo Pre-Season Goalie Camp August 8 - 11 Buffalo: Holiday Twin Rinks

Webster Pre-Season Goalie Camp August 22 - 25 Rochester: Webster Ice Arena Amhert Elite AAA Goalie Camp July 13 - 16 Buffalo: Northtown Center Amherst Pre-Season Goalie Camp August 1 - 4 Buffalo: Northtown Center Amherst Beginner Goalie Half-Day Camp August 15 - 18 Buffalo: Northtown Center

Cancellation Policy: You must notify Bob by 10 am the day of the clinic if you have a conflict. You will then be able to reschedule. If you do not contact Bob you will not be able to reschedule Follow Janosz School of Goaltending on Twitter, friend on Facebook, Forward to a Friend We will send informaton to those who join our online or physical mailing list.

Janosz School of Goaltending, PO Box 185, Spring Brook, NY 14140

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

In This Issue: Alex Bay/Th Is Girls....................40 Beekmantown Girls..................43 Binghamton Senators..............30 Bisons Buczkowski....................10 Buffalo Stars................................56 Canton Girls.................................44 Cara Klopp....................................68 Central.....................................20-30 Cheektowaga..............................59 East...........................................31-28 Gridley Coaching.......................17 Gurski.............................................47 Howell HHOF...............................13 Janosz Goaltending..................15 Jimmy Warren.............................35 NJPE................................................60 Jr Sabres Wrap............................12 North........................................39-45 NWHL............................................... 6 NYS Girls Varsity........................... 8 Raptors Rap.................................34 Rochester Youth.........................66 TJ Sarcona....................................32 West..........................................46-68 Who Is Manny.............................28 WNY Boys Hockey.....................48

Dear Readers,

Well, we’ve been really busy these past few weeks with holiday tournaments, playoffs and the beginning of post-season action.

We traveled to Albany for the 2016 NYS Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Championship, spent a lot of time in HarborCenter with the NWHL, college and some youth hockey, stopped over to Dwyer Arena to catch some NU action and as we go to publish are covering the WNY Boys Section VI Super Sunday and Super Monday games.

The Super Sunday and Super Monday photos and story will be featured in the April issue of the magazine, as well as any other Boys State Tournament news you can send us. Also in April we will have photos and highlights from the GLGHL Gallagher Tournament, Snowbelt JAM and the North American Ice Hockey Championships.

We’ll try to catch a lot of you who will be traveling to the Buffalo area for the NYSAHA State Tournament.

There’s lots of photos in this issue and we hope you share the coverage we are giving these players with their parents and friends. Janet apologizes for the quality of some, lighting in a couple arenas, plus the condition of the glass and placement of netting, made photography challenging. But she wants to get the players in print.

We are welcoming some new advertisers to this issue including Amherst Youth Hockey and Buffalo Stars Hockey. Hopefully a few more advertisers will jump on board so we can keep NY Hockey OnLine--online!!

See you at the rink!

Randy Schultz Publisher NY Hockey OnLine Magazine

NY Hockey On-Line (E-Magazine) 3663 Irish Road Wilson, New York 14172 716-751-6524 nyhockeyonline@ nyhockeyonline.com

Columnists Warren Kozireski, Wkozires@brockport.edu Janet Schultz Randy Schultz Rob Sedia Chuck Gridley

Publisher &Managing Editor Randy Schultz Randy@nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine is an equal opportunity employer.

Contents 2014-15 NY Hockey Online All rights reserved

Designer/Photographer Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

NY Hockey OnLine is published monthly at no charge and can be accessed via the publication’s website www.nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Legendary Hockey Coach Jack Riley Passes Away at 95 WEST POINT, N.Y. – U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and former Army head hockey coach Jack Riley passed away on Wednesday afternoon on Cape Cod, surrounded by his family and friends. He was 95 years old.

“Our family is saddened by the passing of our father,” said head coach Brian Riley. “He lived a great life and although he is known as a hockey coach to many people, he was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. My brothers, sister and I were especially grateful to have been able to call him dad and have had a wonderful and caring father for all these years.”

Army’s all-time winningest coach, Jack Riley authored a 542-343-20 record during his remarkable 36year career at the Black Knights’ hockey helm. He retired in 1986 as the second-winningest college hockey head coach in NCAA history and currently ranks 18th on the list. Riley was a member of the Army Sports Hall of Fame inaugural class in 2004.

Riley was named NCAA “Coach of the Year” in 1957 and 1960, guided Army to 29 winning seasons and led the Black Knights to a school-record 28 victories during the 1983-84 campaign. His Army teams reached postseason play nine times in all during a career that spanned four decades along the banks of the Hudson.

“The three most important things to our father was family, serving his country as a Navy pilot and coaching at West Point,” Riley said. “Interacting with and coaching the cadets over the years is what made West Point his dream job.”

Riley served as head coach of the United States Olympic team in 1960 and directed the squad to its first gold medal. A two-time winner of the Lester Patrick Award (1986, 2002), presented for outstanding service to U.S. hockey, Riley was elected to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979. He was also inducted into International Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998.

Around New York State / Page 5

NJPH Combine Announced

T

he National Junior Prospects Hockey League is proud to announce our Niagara Falls International Ice Hockey Player Combine for elite level athletes aged 16-20.

The NHL Style Combine will be held at Niagara University Dwyer Arena and LA Fitness between March 31st and April 3rd. This NHL style 3 day event is geared towards the elite 16-20 year old hockey athlete who has the drive and desire to reach a higher level of hockey. This event will involve a series of on ice and off-ice physical and skill testing along with 4 competitive hockey games.

All Games will take place at the Niagara University Dwyer Arena on April 1-3. Off-ice testing will take place at the LA Fitness in Niagara Falls and on ice testing will take place at Hockey Outlet in Wheatfield.

Both sets of testing will take place on April 2nd.

“This Combine will offer players the opportunity for a competitive weekend of excellent hockey. Players will also be exposed to seminars that will educate the player and his parents on the future opportunities in hockey at both the Junior and Collegiate level” stated NCPHL Founder and Commissioner Bob Black.

The seminars will take place on March 31 and April 1 at the Sheraton Niagara Falls, which will also serve as the Host Hotel for this event.

Registration is limited and will close on March 15th. Players can register on line at: http://ncphl. com/combine.html For information contact Commissioner Black at: 724-272-3206

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York State / Page 6

Around the NWHL

Playoffs Begin March 4

T

he Inaugural Season of the National Women’s Hockey League is coming to a close. Final regular season games were played February 28.

The playoffs find Buffalo seeded #3 against #2 Connecticut and the New York Riveters #4 against #1 Boston. They will be vying for the First Isobel Trophy.

The playoffs begin March 4 in Stamford, Ct. and Beverly, Ma. The Whale will face the Beauts on March 4 at 7:10 p.m. and March 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Stamford, Ct. If a third game is needed in the best of three, March 6 will be a 6 p.m. start.

At the Raymond Bourque Arena in Massachusetts the Boston Pride will take on the Riveters at 7 p.m. on March 4 and at a time to be determined on March 5.

The third game would be March 6 at 7 p.m.

The finals will be held at the Prudential Center Practice Facility in Newark, NJ on March 11-13.

Games are 7:30 on Friday and Saturday and if needed a1 :30 game on Sunday.

In 4th place, The New York Riveters are the longshot to win the first ever Isobel Cup, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. The fate of the Riveters depends largely on the performances of their biggest and smallest players.

Not only can 6’0”Ashley “Stretch” Johnston count on seeing about 30 minutes a game this post season, but she’ll also be on the ice for the game’s biggest moments. The Riveters have struggled offensively all season, only scoring 38 goals in 17 games, so they can count on spending lots of time in their own zone.

If they’re going to find success in the playoffs, Johnston’s size and skill in the defensive zone will have to be on point.

On the other side of the size-spectrum, you’ll find the mighty 5’4” Nana Fujimoto. The crossbar will not be the only thing on Fujimoto’s shoulders this post season, as the goaltender needs to be New York’s best player. Her 0.908 save percentage and 3.36 goals against average are both 3rd in the NWHL, but this season

has seen flashes of brilliance between the pipes from the Japanese net minder. Consistency is the key for Fujimoto, because if those flashes turn into streaks, the New York Riveters could be a tough out this post season.

The Buffalo Beauts will occupy 3rd place in the standings going into the playoffs. If the Beauts want this season to have a happy ending, it’s their play on special teams that can make it happen.

Buffalo has a high-risk/high-reward penalty kill.

By the numbers, they have the worst shorthanded numbers in the NWHL, at a kill rate of 0.768. At first glance this seems terrible, but the upside to their penalty kill is their league-leading 6(!) shorthanded goals, 2 of those goals scored by team leader Kelley Steadman. Buffalo has been shorthanded 69 times, scored on 16 times, and scored 6 times… Which is actually pretty good.

All together, the Beauts have scored 21 goals (43% of their total goals) on special teams, the most in the league. As the team with the most power play opportunities during the regular season, Buffalo’s special teams can make this season extra special.

The 2nd seeded Connecticut Whale may not be the favorites to win the Isobel Cup, but their speed, balanced offence and ability to keep the puck out of the net make them a dangerous contender.

In first place Boston seems to be the favorite to win the Isobel Cup. Sporting 8 US National Team members, the Pride’s roster is built for a championship.

Following the Isobel Cup the NWHL will present their awards on Sunday, March 20 in conjunction with

www.nyhockeyonline.com the 2016 Frozen Four Women’s Hockey Championships in New Hampshire.

They will be presenting the NWHL Foundation Award, Leading Scorer, MVP, Perseverance Award, Best Defenseman, Best Goaltender. Awards will be announced on social media hashtag #NWHLAwards.

Free Agency begins May 1 and continues through July 31 with the NWHL Junior Draft on Saturday, June 18.

NWHL Announces First League Trade The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) announced a trade between the New York Riveters and the Connecticut Whale marks the first trade in franchise history.

The New York Riveters have acquired goaltender Chelsea Laden; the Connecticut Whale have acquired goaltender Shenae Lundberg.

While no-trade clauses do exist in the league, neither Laden nor Lundberg has one in her contract.

Chelsea Laden has appeared in one game for the Connecticut Whale on October 18, registering a 2.00 goals against average and .947 save percentage. Shenae Lundberg has logged 28:56 in a relief effort on October 18 and registered a .875 goals against average.

Around New York State / Page 7

NY Teams Vie For Position New York is home to two of the four

NWHL teams with the Riveters located in the NYC area and the Beauts in Buffalo. It makes for a great showdown for this publication as we cover both teams.

They met up February 20 for a hard fought game ending with the Beauts winning 5-1.

The Beauts scored three third period goals to lock up the third seed in the Isobel Cup Playoffs. Megan Bozek led the way with three points, including a goal and two assists.

The game resulted in Buffalo’s third seed and NY’s fourth in postseason play.

Beauts Debut Mascot

The Buffalo Beauts are the first of the four teams to introduce a mascot to their fans.

Krusher made her appearance at the February 21 game by dropping the ceremonial puck and then meeting the Beauts fans.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York State / Page 8

Congratulations: Thousand Islands/Alexandria Bay Girls Varsity Hockey Team

by Randy Schultz

T

he Thousand Islands-Alexandria Bay Lady Islanders trailed twice in their New York State championship game with the Kenmore-Grand Island Devildogs. But they would not be denied.

The Lady Islander edged the Devildogs, 3-2 to win the 2016 NYS Girls High School Ice Hockey Championship hosted at the Albany Academies Ice Rink.

The Devildogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period when Taylor Story scored at the 11:22 mark. Lina Mirabella assisted on the lone goal of the period.

The Lady Islanders struck early in the second period on a goal by Emily Rose at the :36 mark. Keeley Rose assisted. But less than three minutes later the Devildogs took the lead again on a goal by LeAnn Wright. Abigail Blair and Mirabella picked up the assists.

At the 9:07 mark of the second stanza Alex Bay tied the game again on an unassisted goal by Miranda Kolb.

The score remained tied going into the third period.

At the 3:50 mark of the third Kelsey Bannister bounced a puck off a player in front of the Devilsdogs net and behind goaltender Cara Klopp for the go-ahead tally. The lead held up for the remainder of the contest.

Player of the game for Kenmore-Grand Island was Klopp (#30), who stopped 37 of the 40 shots she faced in the game. Player of the game for Alex Bay was Kolb (#5).

Four teams squared off on Friday night at the Albany Academy Ice Arena on the campus of the Albany Academies. In the first game the Lady Islanders defeated the Beekmantown Eagles, 4-1.

The Lady Islanders jumped on the Eagles in the first period, scoring three times. Their first goal was scored

by Emilie Walti, with assists going to Taylor Hudon and Emily Rose.

Alex Bay scored again with a two-player advantage when Emily Rose tallied, with Keeley Rose and Kelsey

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York State / Page 9 Bannister assisting. Less than 30 seconds later the Lady Islanders went ahead, 3-0 with Bannister scoring and Miranda Kolb assisting.

The Eagles scored their only goal of the game early in the second stanza when Kelsey Baker put the puck past Alex Bay goalie, Kayla McCabe. Madison Flemming assisted.

The Lady Islanders put the game away mid-way through the final period when Emily Rose scored her second goal of the contest. Flemming assisted.

In the late game, the Devils Dogs downed the Canton Golden Bears, 4-3. KenmoreGrand Island jumped out to a 1-0 lead with the periods only goal scored by Lina Mirabella. Olivia Smith got the assist.

It was all the Devils Dogs in the second stanza, scoring three times.

Two of the tallies were by Smith, who scored her teams second and fourth goals. Abigail Blair had the other goal with Victoria Botticello assisting.

Down 4-0 going into the third period, Canton rallied, scoring three unanswered goals. Blake Orosz put the Golden Bears on the board to make the score, 4-1 with Elizabeth Collins assisting. Mary Kait Mace put in back-to-back goals to tighten the game at 4-3.

The Devil Dogs held off the Golden Bears in the final four minutes to win the game.

(Additional photos are in sections where schools are located)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

A

Around New York State / Page 10

chael. “With my grandfather havround Buffalo, mention the ing played pro baseball in the ‘40s name Mike Buczkowski I grew up around the game. and people automatically “I spent a lot of time talking connect him with the Buffalo Bi- baseball with him. And I played it sons Professional minor league baseball team. This year marks Buczkowski’s 30th season with the Triple-A International League club and his 23rd as the team’s general manager.

Add to that the fact that Buczkowski’s grandfather, Huck Geary, played major league base- by Randy Schultz ball with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Randy@nyhockeyonline.com Buczkowski himself played baseball in high school.

But within that Buczkowski quite a bit as well.”

DNA flows some hockey. A love Interestingly, it was for the game that still burns inside Buczkowski’s parents of the Bisons Vice President/GM. who encouraged a young “My hockey goes back to my Mike to play hockey.

Mite days when I began playing “I would play hockey with the Southtowns YMCA,” re- in the winter months and called the native of Buffalo. “It baseball during the sumcontinued through my high school mer,” said Buczkowski. days at Bishop Timon.”

“But it got to the point The 1982 graduate of Bishop where I was a better Timon High School played three hockey player than I was a baseball years of varsity hockey and dur- player. ing that time was named to the “Brian Cavanaugh (who All-Catholic squad. From there it coached the men’s hockey team at was on to Canisius College where Canisius College for 23 seasons) the former forward continued his had been recruiting me to come hockey career. to Canisius. I played four years of “I really wasn’t known for hockey for the Griffins.” my speed,” laughed Buczkowski. Buczkowski talked about the “I was a good penalty killer for a difference of going from high winger. school hockey to college hockey.

“I was more of a grinder. And I “The biggest difference I found always loved playing hockey.” was that college hockey was more The 1986 graduate of Canisius physical than what I had been used College also played baseball. to in high school,” stated Bucz “Baseball was my first love,” kowski. “Especially the defensecontinued Buczkowski, who has men. two children, Jennifer and Mi- “They were much bigger play-

ers on defense than what I had been used to in high school.”

While the Griffins call HarborCenter in downtown Buffalo as home today, it wasn’t that way when Buczkowski played for them.

“My first year there we played at Holiday Twin Rinks,” said Buczkowski. “My final three seasons were played at the Nichols Rink on the campus of Nichols School (a private prepschool in Buffalo).

“The rink at Nichols was a much smaller rink so you had to expect the physical play from opponents. You couldn’t skate away from anybody on that rink.

“It was quite challenging, to say the least.”

By the time Buczkowski reached his junior year in college the hockey team’s coaching staff named him captain of the team, a position he would hold for two seasons.

“The thing I’m most proud of during my four years in college is that I never missed a practice,” commented Buczkowski. “My last three years as a player in college

Bison’s Buczkowski and Hockey

www.nyhockeyonline.com

we used to practice at night.

“And on a couple of those nights we could skate from 10 to 11:30 at night. On two other nights we would skate from 11 until 12:30 in the morning. It was the only time we could get ice.

“It was especially tough if you had 8:30 classes the next morning, which I did.”

Buczkowski never got to the level of playing pro hockey.

“When you grow up in an area like I did in Buffalo with the Sabres, you dream of playing in the NHL,” remarked Buczkowski. “My parents were season ticket holders

Around New York State / Page 11 and I got to most of their games.

“My hero was Gilbert Perreault. But I knew that I wasn’t good enough to play pro hockey.”

Of course the Bisons GM is very pleased that his college alma mater has a new home.

“HarborCenter is beautiful,” commented Buczkowski. “I’m very proud of the Canisius hockey program today.

“They play in a great facility, play Division I hockey and have a nationally-known program. I’m just glad to think that I helped play a small part in the programs growth over the years.”

While in college Buczkowski got to work with the Sabres organization, helping out with their broadcasts on radio and TV. In the end it was actually because of his internship with the Sabres that led to his first job with the Bisons.

“I had worked in the Sabres PR Department and the Bisons had a job opening in their PR department and I was recommended for the job,” said Buczkowski. “I went

to work there in June 1987 and I’ve been with the Bisons ever since.

But the Bisons GM has great memories of hockey, none of which he would ever trade.

“I tell kids today to have fun at practice,” concluded Buczkowski.

“Have fun with your teammates.

“When I left the game I missed being around my teammates. It not just about the games or the stats and goals.

“Take a break from the game as well. Don’t be a 12-month a year player. It can wear you down.

“Be a good teammate and enjoy the game.”

(Photos courtesy Buffalo Bisons. Left Buczkowski as a Canisius hockey player and below, in his current role with the Buffalo Bisons.)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

T

Around New York State / Page 12

he Buffalo Jr. Sabres close out the 2015-2016 OJHL regular season with a final record of 33-17-1-3 and 70 points.

During the regular season, the Jr. Sabres went 16-8-1-2 at their home rink of HARBORCENTER in downtown Buffalo.

The Jr. Sabres also went 17-9-0-1 on the road and overall, finished the regular season with a plus-67 goal differential.

Captain Zach Evancho led the Jr. Sabres with 80 points in 52 games over the course of the regular season.

Evancho’s 31 goals and 49 assists are both careerbests and led the team in those respective categories as well.

Evancho registered at least a point in 38 games this season and had 23 multi-point games this season, including a sixpoint night in the 11-4 win over Mississauga on November 25.

Evancho is set to join Army West Point in his future.

Forward Tim Nicksic finishes the regular season with 60 points in 53 games, including 21 goals and 39 assists.

Nicksic nearly triples his point total from last season (21) in one less game, more than tripling his 12 assists into 39 this season. He also notched a careerhigh 21 goals, including six on the special teams.

His season is highlighted by a nine-game point streak from January 10 through February 6 that saw Nicksic register seven goals and 14 assists.

Both Evancho and Nicksic each had four gamewinning goals this season. Only Josh Biasillo (5) had more.

Christopher Berger, a Brown University commit, also registered career-highs in goals (19), assists (33) and points (52) this season as he finished the regular season third on the team in scoring.

Berger’s seven power-play tallies were second on the team only to Evancho (10), and he also added three game-winners and two shorthanded goals.

Tucker Weppner finishes the regular season with a record of 201-5-11. He played over 2,125 minutes of ice time and ended the season with a .900 save percentage.

Weppner’s 2.71 GAA lands him in the top 10 among OJHL goaltenders this season with just under a week to play for the rest of the league.

Brian Kowalski ended the regular season with a 3.50 GAA and .884 save percentage, going 13-5-0-1.

The Jr. Sabres’ season was highlighted by a 10game winning streak that lasted from November 23 through December 30.

Buffalo closed out the regular season on a twogame winning streak, with victories over Georgetown and Mississauga.

Another monumental moment for the Jr. Sabres was back in the early portion of the season when Buffalo hosted the OJHL Showcase at HARBORCENTER. Playoff information should be available in the coming days as the OJHL finishes out its regular season schedule.

Jr. Sab res Season Wrap

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York State / Page 13

Lockport Inducts Inaugural Howell Hockey Hall of Fame Honorees

The first Annual Howell Motors Ford Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held in February. Fifteen people made up the Inaugural Class in four categories. Inducted were Players: Jim Musto, Terry P. Dixon, Richard G. Connette, Rick Eberhart, Jeff Thompson, Tom Snedeker; Coaches: Robert L. Stratton, Bill Watson, Vic Cooke; Contributors: Donald G. Kaufman, Dr. Albert G. Connette, Peter K. Wendel and Founders: Dr. W. James Westhafer, Dr. Ralph W. Lewis, John Gerald York Jr. Full story in February issue of NY Hockey OnLine.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around New York State / Page 14

Photos by Janet Schultz NYHOL Magazine

www.nyhockeyonline.com

J A N O S Z G O A L T E N D I N G

Janosz Goaltending / Page 15

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR GOALIES

I

By: Bob Janosz

t’s that time of the year when coaches have the task of picking their goaltenders for the upcoming season. What should a coach look for when evaluating a goalie? There are several things to look for and several things that the goalie can do to get noticed. While many of these items may be tough to pick out in a three-day tryout, the most important ones should stand out.

Fundamentals/Edgework. The goalie should have good fundamentals. Good stance, efficient edgework, proper save selections, technically sound, and good positioning. Be careful of the goalie that has to make several “unbelievable” saves. This usually means that the goalie is often out of position. Although athleticism is a trait you want, it is tough to play consistently with just reflexes and athleticism. At the same time you don’t want a goalie that is too “robotic”. There needs to be a balance of fundamentals and athleticism.

Quickness/Athleticism/Puck Tracking. Quick and athletic goalies have a better chance to stop the puck. They have the ability to get square to the puck faster to arrive “on time” or even “early”. Athleticism also comes in handy when things don’t go as planned. An athletic goalie can still find a way to make the save. I’ll include “puck tracking” in this category as a very necessary trait. The goalie needs quick reflexes to react to the puck to make saves. I’ve seen several goalies that have excellent fundamentals and edgework but they track and react to the puck poorly.

Attitude. This covers a number of things including coachability, work ethic, and being a good teammate. If the goalie thinks they know everything and are not open to any suggestions they will have a difficult time improving and advancing. Even goalies in the N.H.L. learn on a daily basis and are always trying to improve their game. Work ethic is huge; goalies that do not work hard will only make it so far with their natural

www.nyhockeyonline.com

J A N O S Z G O A L T E N D I N G

Janosz Goaltending / Page 16

abilities. Work ethic is also contagious and the other players will work and play harder if they see that their goalie works hard and competes every day. As for getting along with teammates; the goalie doesn’t necessarily have to be a vocal leader, but they need to gain their teammates respect and trust. This adds to team unity and will help locker-room chemistry.

Size. With the current trend most coaches think bigger is better. This may or may not be true. Although a bigger goalie will fill more net than a smaller goalie, this does not mean that they’re always better. You also have to look at each individual’s strengths and weaknesses as well as the most important aspect; who stops more pucks.

Mental Toughness. The goalie has the most pressure on the team; if they’re not mentally tough they cannot carry the weight of the team. The goalie has to be “thick skinned” so they can accept responsibility for every goal that goes in; even when they know it wasn’t their fault. There is nothing worse than a goalie blaming teammates for goals allowed.

Big Game Ability. This could have been classified in mental toughness but I feel this is so important that it needs its own category. You want someone who “rises to the occasion” and not someone who “folds under pressure”. Big time goalies make key saves at key times in the game.

As you can see there are several factors to consider when choosing goalies for a team. I think an important part of the tryout process is to include a variety of game situation drills as well as live scrimmage to see more aspects of the goaltenders physical and mental make-up.

For more information on Janosz Goaltending go to www.bobjanosz.com or call (716) 308-9224.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

L

ake Placid is a magical place, especially for hockey fans of a certain age. It was the scene of USA Hockey’s most dramatic victory. Of course I’m talking about the US - Russia game in the 1980 Olympics. I still remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news. I was going to college at the University of South Carolina. It was a Friday night, and I was cooking pasta in my kitchen. The game was not carried live down there, but I was planning to watch it later with some friends from up north. The phone rang, I picked it up, and all I could hear was my father yelling “We won! We won! We won!

Over the years, I have attended many meetings and events in Lake Placid for USA Hockey and the Coaching Program. I have had the good fortune to have had the opportunity to see many of the venues up close and to meet many of the people who were involved in that famous game. Even so, I still get goose bumps every time I see a tape of the game or hear the final seconds counted down, or hear Al Michaels utter those now infamous words...”Do you believe in Miracles?”

A few weeks ago, I brought my sled hockey team up to Lake Placid to compete in the Empire State Games.

Coaching With Gridley / Page 17

Coaching With Gridley

by Chuck Gridley

The tournament itself was not to be the focus of the trip.

Most of my players had never been to Lake Placid before.

Keep in mind that these players did not grow up playing hockey. Most of them just started playing within the last few years. The USA – Russia game was not as big a part of their lives as it had been in mine. Still, I was hoping that this trip might inspire them.

We arrived on a Friday for the tournament. We played a great game against a team from Vermont. It took 2 overtimes and a shootout, but we won the game. That win got us a Silver Medal in the first ever Empire State Games Sled Hockey Tournament.

www.nyhockeyonline.com The next morning the players explored Lake Placid. A few of them went to see some of the events at the local venues (luge, ski jumping, speed skating, etc.). We met at the 1980 Rink at 1:00 pm for a tour. In all of my years coming to Lake Placid, I have never taken the tour of the facility. It was great! The gentleman who did the tour was in his 80’s. He knew the history of the 1980 Games because he worked on the Games from the planning stages, and was in the building the night of the game with Russia. Even though over 35 years have passed, you could still hear the excitement in his voice as he spoke about the electricity in the arena that night. My players were riveted as he told his story in the very place where it happened.

After the tour we went out to the “Hockey Box”, a small outdoor rink right next to the outdoor speed skating oval.

We had reserved it to play a little sled hockey…outdoors.

So there we were, playing in the shadow of the 1980 rink.

We just picked sides and played for an hour. It was pure hockey...just the ice, fresh air, and a game. It was a blast!

After we finished we went back to the lodge where we were staying for a nice pasta dinner, and to watch “Miracle”. Surprisingly, some of my players had not watched it before. I think it brought the story full circle for many of them. It was a fitting end to a perfect hockey day. Once again, Lake Placid had worked her magic.

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

Around New York State / Page 18

NYSAHA BOB ALLEN SCHOLARSHIP The applications for the 2016 Bob Allen Scholarship are available and due by April 1.

In June of 2000 the New York State Amateur Hockey Association named their scholarships after its long time President and Director Emeritus, Bob Allen.

Each year at the Annual Meeting of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association four scholarships are awarded to High School or Prep School Seniors going on to college. The scholarships are awarded based on the individuals participation at school, with their community, and involvement in youth sports. The Scholarships are for $1000 each and given directly to the winners upon verification of enrollment at college.

Eligibility: 1. Senior in a New York High School, or a New York State resident attending a Prep school 2. New York State Amateur Hockey Association member (past or present) 3. Plan to attend a four-year, two-year, or vocational school full-time (12 credit hours or more).

Please get this application to those students who are eligible. Deadline is 04/01/2016. Any questions please your Section President or by going to the NYSAHA website at: http://www.nysaha.com/ page/show/885667-scholarship-program

NYSAHA Tournaments will be held March 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20 at Amherst’s Northtown Center and Buffalo’s HarborCenter

CENTRAL NEW YORK

Syracuse Nationals Girls Meet the NY Riveters

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Rome Youth Hockey Association

Central Hockey / Page 21

held their Face Off Against Colon Cancer Benefit on January 29. They raised $3,117 at the event. Photos courtesy RYHA.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Central Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROOME CCC One win over their final seven NJCAA games eliminated any hope of the Hornets being among the four teams for the national tournament they hosted Feb. 27-28. They finished 9-10 overall and allowed 99 goals while scoring 66.

Sophomores Austin Bradish (West Chazy), Austin Campbell (Binghamton), Josh Maus (Binghamton) and Cameron Dunn (Binghamton) along with freshman Geno DeAngelo (Binghamton) all finished with 13 or more points.

COLGATE Managing only one win in February with one weekend remaining in the regular season, the Raiders were ready to hit the road in the first round of the ECAC playoffs. They allowed an alarming five goals per game in the stretch.

January addition Adam Dauda netted his first collegiate goal Feb. 5 at Princeton. Rookie Rory McGuire scored his first Jan. 29 against St. Lawrence.

Colgate junior defenseman Jake Kulevich has shown an uncanny ability for scoring important goals during his career. Of his eight career goals, four have been game-winners

Central Hockey / Page 22 including two of three this season.

Colgate senior forward Tyson Spink has been selected as one of 20 candidates for the 2015-16 Senior CLASS Award, organization officials announced on Friday. A native of Williamstown, Ont. Spink has been an active member of both the Colgate and Hamilton communities. He and his teammates have worked closely with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization that pairs collegiate teams with children facing life-threatening or chronic illness.

CORNELL The Big Red were guaranteed a home playoff spot and were still hanging in the national rankings, but were a mere game above .500 in conference play heading to the final weekend.

For the second time within a month and the third time this season, Cornell junior Mitch Gillam was named the men’s ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week Feb. 9.

Gillam stopped 71 of the 73 shots he faced last weekend, including a 32-save shutout Saturday at Princeton.

Forward Christian Hilbrich was named one of 20 candidates for the 2016 Senior CLASS Award. As of the beginning of this season, Hilbrich carried a 3.46 GPA and has been listed to the dean’s list three times in Cornell’s Dyson School of Business, where he is an Applied Economics and Management major with a Finance concentration. He has won the team’s Wendell & Francella Earle Award, which is presented to the team’s top student in each class, in each of his first three seasons at Cornell and a three-time selection to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team. He is a member of Cornell’s prestigious Sphinx Head Senior Honor Society, which recognizes members of the junior and senior class who have distinguished themselves in leadership and service to the university. He was part of

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Central Hockey / Page 23

the 125th Tapping Class in April 2015. Some of the community service projects Hilbrich has been involved includes a service trip in May 2014 with El Portal de BelĂŠn Foundation to Don Juan, Dominican Republic. The group was involved in the construction of a chapel in the community of Bosque Abajo, and it provided clothing and construction materials to a community in need. He has also volunteered with the Big Red Paw program, which focuses on serving as a mentor through visits to nearby Newfield Elementary School.

HAMILTON

CORTLAND

HOBART

The Red Dragons finished tenth and missed the SUNYAC postseason for the eighth consecutive season. There are issues on both sides of the ice moving forward as they managed a league-low 36 goals over 16 SUNYAC games while allowing a secondfrom-worst 68.

Five seniors completed their eligibility in Sam Pinsler, who scored a career-high seven goals this season, and Michael Mascaro (Merrick) plus four defensemen in Ryan Wagner (Buffalo), Mike Davie (Brooklyn), Adam Diorio (Staten Island) and Kyle Herring.

At 19-4-2, the Statesmen were ranked sixth in the nation among Division III teams and won their fourth overall and second consecutive ECAC West title. They earned home ice through the playoffs and entered the postseason with only two road losses since the Thanksgiving break.

Brad Robbins continued his torrid second half and led the squad with a careerbest 16 goals and 29 points. The question was whether the coaching staff would continue to rotate between Lino Chimienti and Frank Oplinger in goal as they did over the final month of the season.

ELMIRA

MOHAWK VALLEY CC

At 4-9-2, the Soaring Eagles finished last in the ECAC West with a first round playoff game at third see Utica. The win total was their fewest in conference since the 2003-04 campaign with only a ten-game slate compared to 15 this season. Managing only one road conference victory also hurt.

Carter Shinkaruk and Brian Depp both reached the 100 career games played mark in February.

With only one NJCAA win, the Hawks did not make the national tournament. They finished 7-13 overall and were outscored 45-78.

Individual player scoring information is not provided by the school.

Two wins and two ties over their final eight NESCAC games sent the Continentals to fourth place, but a quarterfinal home playoff game against Middlebury. Their eight conference victories was the best in five seasons.

Sophomore Neil Conway had a great second half tripling his freshman goal total with 12 goals and adding 16 assists. Classmate Brandon Willett was almost equally impressive with 12 assists and eight goals.

MORRISVILLE The Mustangs tied the school mark for fewest conference wins in a season finishing 1-14-1 and outscored 37-69.

www.nyhockeyonline.com “I think we are in a good spot—we are a very young team,” head coach Kevin Krogol said. “The kind of position we are in the league; our first half didn’t help us for sure, but we started off the second half strong with two great weekends.

“We’re building, we’re working towards it and getting these guys adjusted—it’s a bright future. We have some solid goaltenders who keep us in it and we have to start burying some pucks. We have some games with breakout offensive performances and some games where we are snake bit.

Senior defenseman Marc-Andre Chaput completed his college career with five goals and 25 assists in 86 games played while classmate Jakob Rasmussen played only 45 minutes this past season, but registered five wins over his time.

OSWEGO The Lakers needed a final game win over Fredonia to secure fourth place in the SUNYAC standings and earn a first round home game against Brockport. That gave them a 3-4 conference record in the second half— a result Oswego fans haven’t seen in quite a while.

Part of the issue was a huge drop-off in offense as they fell from scoring 125 goals one year ago to 74 this season. And they weren’t getting as much offensive help from the blueliners—24 in 2014-15 to 15 goals scored this season.

Shawn Hulshof’s netted his first-career hat trick Jan. 23 against Brockport.

UTICA The Pioneers locked up the No. 3 seed and hosting rights for quarterfinal action in the ECAC West Conference Tournament. They wrapped up the regular season with a 12-9-4 overall record and a 6-6-3 mark in the ECAC West.

Michael Fredrick made 59 total shots in earning ECAC West Goaltender of the Week honors Feb. 6.

Fredrick is one of the top rookie goaltenders in the country and ranks third nationally among freshman net minders with a goals against average of 2.09 this season.

Central Hockey / Page 24 Syracuse native Shawn Lynch was named ECAC West Rookie of the Week after he netted his first collegiate goal with 17.3 seconds left on the overtime clock to help lift Utica to a 2-1 victory over visiting Manhattanville Feb. 6.

SNOWBELT AWARDS

T

he following Snowbelt Squirt teams achieved the Sportsmanship Award by earning all Fair Play Points (5 or less penalty minutes per game in all 16 league games): Fulton, Geneva Blue, Geneva White, Ithaca, Lysander 1, Midstate 2, Oswego, Skaneateles Blue, Skaneateles Red, Whitestown Blue, and Whitestown Red. Congratulations to all these teams on a clean season!

The following teams won their Snowbelt Division Championship for the 2015-16 regular season:

• Squirt Red: Rome • Squirt White: Geneva • Squirt Blue: Salmon River • PeeWee Red: Cortland • PeeWee White: Fulton • PeeWee Blue: Thousand Islands • Bantam Red: Binghamton • Bantam White: Lysander 2 • Bantam Blue: Valley • Midget: Lysander Congratulations to all teams on a successful regular season!

Vote First Arena

T

he Elmira Jackals will hold their Annual Banquet on March 21.

They are also asking everyone to vote for First Arena for the Kraft Hockeyville grant.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Central New York Women’s College Hockey Report

Central Hockey / Page 25

Syracuse

The Orange have drawn a bey as

By Janet Schultz the CHA opens its Janet@nyhockeyonline.com postseason play.

The beat Robert Morris 6-1 in the UTICA final game of the season.

The Pioneers are hosting #6 seed Honors in February went to NiCortland in the ECAC West Quar- cole Renault as CHA Player of the terfinals (at press time). Utica (17- Week and Syracuse Female Scholar 7-1) needs one win to tie the single Athlete of the Week; Allie Munseason program history record roe, CHA Rookie of the Week and for most wins in a season. Their Stephanie Grossi, CHA Player of national ranking is ninth in the the Week.

D3Hockey.com national ranking and the Pioneers are making their Syracuse team impact 14th appearance in ECAC West postseason play in 15 years of the Through Team IMPACT, 11-year program’s history. old Molly McIntyre was recently Junior Keira Goin (Dobbs Fer- drafted to the Syracuse women’s ry) is ranked #8 in the nation with a ice hockey team, earning a spot as .947 save % and #11 in GAA at 1.41 the newest member of the Orange. and with her 6 shutouts, is #7 na- Click on the link above to watch tionally.

Molly’s draft day with Syracuse.

Six members of the Pioneers Molly was diagnosed with mihave been named to the ECAC tochondrial dyfunction, which is West All-Conference Team includ- a disease that results from failures ing Lauren Patterson, Gabrielle of the mitochondria. According to Schnepp, Morgan Reed, Janessa the United Mitochondrial Disease Haasbeek, Kayla Dion and Goin.

Foundation (UMDF), Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and

support growth. With this disorder, Molly is unable to participate in most athletic activities because she does not have the energy to do so.

By teaming up with Team IMPACT, Molly was recently drafted to the Syracuse women’s ice hockey team, becoming an honorary member of the team. When schedule permits, Molly will join the Orange for every home game. In her first weekend with the Orange, Syracuse swept Lindenwood in a two-game series by the final scores of 6-1 and 2-0 in College Hockey America play.

“This is awesome. I never thought that it would go this far,” Molly said. “The best part about being here is everybody. Everybody just being so nice to me.”

Along with Molly, parents Kelly and Rob and siblings Griffin and Ella will be a part of the Orange family moving forward.

Colgate

With seconds left #10 Colgate defeated Dartmouth 1-0 on Senior Day, breaking the program’s D1 win record. Colgate gained home ice advantage in postseason play and will be hosting Harvard in the best of three series.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Elmira

The Soaring Eagles have garnered several honors this past month including Katie Granto, Elmira’s Athlete of the Week for February 8; Kelcey Crawford, ECAC West Goaltender of the Week, Feb. 8; Maddie Evangelous, EC’s Athlete of the Week and ECAC West Player of the Week, Feb. 15.

Elmira is #2 in the first NCAA Regional Ranking, #2 in D3hockey.com rankings and #3 in US College Hockey Online’s ranking.

The Soaring Eagles have a bye in the first round of ECAC West playoffs as the second seed.

Oswego

The Lakers Athletic Department has been recognized nationally for their community service. At the National Association of DIII Athletic Administration and Jostens Awards Ceremony they received an honorable mention in the “An Array of Projects” category.

The Lakers end their season 12-9-4 overall and 6-93 in the ECACW. As #5 seed they will face the Buffalo State Bengals in Buffalo in the first round.

Cortland

Deanna Meunier received Cortland Athlete of the Week honors on February 9 and was named ECAC West Goaltender of the Week on February 25.

With a 2-1 overtime win against Williams Smith the Red Dragons have the final berth in postseason play and will face Utica.

Central Hockey / Page 26

Cornell

The Big Red face #5 Clarkson in a best of three quarterfinal match-up in ECAC hockey. This is the ninth consecutive season Cornell has played in the quarters and the third straight year they have faced the Golden Knights of Clarkson.

Paula Voorheis was named ECAC Goaltender of the Week for Feb. 23.

Cornell closed out its regular season with a 13-12-4 overall record and 9-9-4 in the ECAC.

Hamilton

Hamilton has the #6 seed in the NESCAC and will play #3 Connecticut College in the first round of the playoffs.

William Smith

William Smith ended its second season vastly improved over the Inaugural year. With a 4-2 loss to Cortland and a 8-15-2 overall record, they recorded a 5-win improvement over last season.

Both goals scored in the loss to Cortland were scored by St. James NY native Grace Durham (Northwood School).

Morrisville

The Mustangs closed out their inaugural season 9-13-2 overall and 9-3-2 in the CHC. They will host the first round of the playoffs and play #3 seed Johnson and Wales.

Stephanie Strymecki was named CHC Co-Rookie of the Week for February 22.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

T

Central Hockey / Page 27

Roy Austin Memorial Mite Festival

he festival is named in honor of Roy Austin III, nicknamed, “ Peanut” to all who knew him. Roy was a hard working individual with a huge heart, devoted friends, and a loving family. He worked part-time for the City of Rome, assigned to the Parks Department and his job included upkeep of Kennedy Arena.

He was well known for keeping our bleachers, locker rooms, and warm up room spotless and loved cheering on the players and coaches of the Rome Youth Hockey Association, particularly those playing at the Mite level. Roy’s time with us was short, as he unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 36 years old.

His heart stopped beating, but his memory and spirit is kept alive through the Roy H. Austin III Memorial Fund, which was established in 1997 by the Austin Family and Committee.

The Rome Youth Hockey Association is grateful and honored that the Austin family continues to play a valuable role in the youth of the community. The Austin family was instrumental in the “Think Rink Renovation Project”, donating $20,000 exclusively for the naming rights of the beautiful warming room that Roy so genuinely cared for and maintained.

Last year they had a record number of 18 teams participating in this spectacular event. This year’s event was held February 5 - 7.

Oswego won in the Red Division with the Rome Grizzlies taking second. Elmira won the White Division.

T

COMETS RAISE $60,446 ON CLINTON COMETS HERITAGE NIGHT

hrough the extreme generosity of Utica Comet fans, the team is proud to announce that Clinton Comets Heritage Night raised $60,446 on Saturday night at The AUD. Proceeds raised for the Save of the Day Foundation will be dedicated towards locally growing the sport of youth hockey.

“Clinton Comet Heritage Night was a massive success from all angles, and we’re thrilled and thankful for all of the support and generosity

the night entailed,” said Comets President Robert Esche. “The night would not have been possible without our pivotal Clinton Comet ambassadors, and we are extremely excited to grow the Comets legacy while further developing our area’s youth hockey program.”

The money was raised through the 50/50 raffle, mystery boxes, and an auction of the Comets game-worn, 1963-64 Clinton Cometsthemed jerseys following the game. A total of 700 mystery boxes were sold

that raised $14,000, the 50/50 pot hit a seasonhigh of $12,886, and 28 jerseys were auctioned off post-game. The highest-selling jersey, Alex Friesen, sold for $2,150, while Brandon Prust’s came in second at an even $2,000.

The Rob Esche “Save of the Day” Foundation, Inc. is committed to promoting the needs of youth throughout the Mohawk Valley and offer contributions to other 501c3 organizations that have been authorized by the board of directors to

support. The Foundation is devoted to raising funds annually through special events, a partnership with the Utica Comets organization and direct fundraising activities to benefit the Mohawk Valley community.

For the latest Comets news visit www.uticacomets.com or follow the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ uticacomets), Twitter (@ Utica Comets) and Instagram (@UticaComets).

www.nyhockeyonline.com

W

Central Hockey / Page 28 so.” added Beavis.

But who is Manny Rowe really ?

“I want to share an email I received this evening after our three game weekend in Roc City.” Beavis said.

Below is the email that Coach Beavis received.

WHO Is Manny Rowe?

ho is Raym o n d “Manny” Rowe... He is the Stampede’s Heart Hello Coach and Soul. Leader, Beavisfriend, teammate and all around good My name guy. is Julie Haile.

Manny came to Our son Sam the Stampede this plays for the season as a 20 year Roc City Royold player that had als (#80 - D). all the tools, a great (Syracuse Stampede Story) First I want work ethic and the to say that drive to succeed.

Rowe from Phoenix AZ was a watching the teams play the last 2 natural leader from the start of weekends have been fun. Games have the season according to Stampede been up, down and everywhere in beCoach Mike Beavis. “Manny took tween. ownership of his role and em- Secondly, I just wanted to let you braced it daily this year, he has know what a class act I think your been a true leader and hopefully Captain, Raymond Rowe is. Watching his hard work will pay off.” Stated him with his teammates, especially as they take the ice (love all the unique Beavis.

Rowe had some interest from and individual handshakes) it is obviD-lll schools this season but is very ous that he is a well liked and respectmuch hoping to land a spot with ed leader. What impressed me the most The University of Arizona Wild- was how good he was to our son Sam. cats ACHA D-l in the upcoming Sam is only 17 years old and made the jump to Juniors this year. It has been a weeks.

“For Manny it’s close to home season of adjustments and eye opening and his mom will be able to come to experiences. Ray and Sam made a conhis games and I know that is huge nection last weekend on the ice, which for him. When I asked him about led to Sam following him on some sort the possible opportunity there you of social media during the week. This could see it in his eyes that this is weekend rolled around and Ray took where he would go if chosen to do the time to acknowledge Sam and I no-

ticed at the end of each game he made a point of shaking hands and saying a few words to him. As you know those types of interactions between a senior player and a rookie are few and far between and mean the world to the rookie.

Captains sometimes get taken for granted because they are always expected to be the leader or be the bigger person, but what Ray did for Sam this weekend was not that. It was easily seen from the stands and especially this hockey mom that Ray has something special to his character. I do not know what the future holds for him, but the world of hockey can never have enough people like him as a part of it.

His character will do him well in all aspects of his life. Our best wishes to him.

Best of luck to you and your team with the tail end of the season and try outs.

Julie

www.nyhockeyonline.com “As a coach in junior hockey for almost 30 years, I try to get players to realize that relationships, sportsmanship and the bond of hockey players is very special.

I preach discipline and composure on a daily basis. My players see me interact with other teams players and know that I try and help them as well as my own when possible.” “Manny Rowe is a player that shares these values, I see that each and every day. Manny has a work ethic that I have not seen in a long time and is a natural leader that will for certain become something special in his lifetime.

(Possibly a very successful coach in the years to come.) “ Stated Coach Beavis The world of Hockey need more players like Raymond Rowe and hopefully the impact he has made on his teammates as well other teams players that he has met throughout his years will carry his character forward and share it with others along their way.

“That is who Raymond “Manny” Rowe is and it has been my pleasure to have him as my Captain this season.”

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

Central Hockey / Page 29

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Binghamton Senators at the NJPE President’s Day Tournament!

Central Hockey

/ Page 30

East Hockey

www.nyhockeyonline.com

By Randy Schultz

I

t is early in the second period of a hockey game between Niagara University and RIT at the Dwyer Arena on the campus of NU. The Purple Eagles trail the Tigers, 3-1.

Center T. J. Sarcona skates down the center of the ice. To his right, just a couple of strides ahead of him is teammate Vinny Muto skating with the puck.

Muto fires the puck around the boards to another teammate, Johnny Curran, standing behind the RIT net. Curran take a split second to cradle the puck with his stick before firing a perfect pass to Sarcona, who is bearing down on the Tigers goal area.

The puck barely touches Sarcona’s stick, who, in one motion fires the puck past a surprised RIT goalie, Nick Amato. It is just the spark the Purple Eagles needed, as they went on to tie RIT, 4-4.

For Sarcona, it is just another night’s work in his hockey journey.

It is a hockey journey that has taken the junior centerman from his roots in Long Island to New Jersey, Texas and now to Western New York.

It is a road that the West Islip, NY native wouldn’t necessarily recommend to others. But it is one

East Hockey

/ Page 32

that he is pleased with.

I began playing hockey when I was four years-old,” recalled Sarcona. “I played organized hockey for the Long Island Royals for a good portion of my youth.

“Then I moved over to New York Apple Core for about two years.

Then I moved up to the New York Metropolitan League with the New Jersey Rockets.”

Sarcona’s Road to Niagara!

His time with the Rockets was interesting, to say the least. Or at least the commute was (to Bridgewater, NJ).

“I commuted there four times a week by train,” stated Sarcona. “I would go from my home or school and catch a cab to the train station, catch the train, go to practice or a game, and then return by train back, get a cab and go home.

“I wouldn’t get home until 11 at night.”

During his time with the Rockets he was drafted by the Chicago Steel (of the United States Hockey League, USHL). His rights were then traded to Tri-City, where he spent about a month.

When that didn’t work out, he went to Amarillo, TX and the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

“I played three years there,” added Sarcona. “Three great years, including winning a National Championship my last year.

“I was on my own and grew up quite a bit. It was a great experience.

“From there it was on to Niagara University. It was close to home

www.nyhockeyonline.com

so my parents could come and see me play.

“They have a great reputation, education-wise (Sarcona is a marketing major).”

Quite a path that even Rand McNally would be proud of. So what was the bottom line for Sarcona in travelling this particular hockey path?

“In the beginning, like most kids, I dreamed of playing in the NHL someday,” replied the Niagara

East Hockey

/ Page 33

center. “But as I moved along my goal was to play Division I hockey.

“I want to get an education too, which is important.”

Sarcona also pointed out a couple of people who have been quite influential throughout his hockey career.

“When I was with the Long Island Royals, Lenny Sarro was my coach,” remembered Sarcona. “He is the guy who actually told me to stay at center because he felt that is where I belonged.

“My dad (Tom) has also been very influential. He also played hockey at the Division II level at St. John’s University. He was a captain on the team.

“He’s always been the shoulder I could lean on and could go to for advice.”

Surprisingly Sarcona has never really played any other sport besides hockey.

“I tried baseball, but really got bored,” said the Purple Eagles centerman. “I was an outfielder and fell asleep in the outfield a couple of times when I was a kid.

“Played soccer a couple of times when I was younger. But I didn’t like that either.

“So I’ve basically stayed with hockey throughout most of my life.”

The young center would also like to stay in the game post-Niagara, either as a player or get into coaching.

What advise would Sarcona give to kids wanting to play hockey?

“It is a fun ride,” concluded Sarcona. “No matter what happens always keep your passion for the game and know why you play.

“If you keep your heart in it, you will always be happy.”

www.nyhockeyonline.com

East Hockey / Page 34 another penalty shot scored by Niki Q giving the New York Raptors a even game 2-2 against the Southern Connecticut Storm in the second period.

In the third period the New York Raptors had a goal by David Majsak and the New York Raptors were up 3 to 2 against Southern Connecticut Storm. Another goal by Max Feldman give the New York Raptors a 4 to 2 lead against the Southern Connecticut Storm . Columnist Michael Meyers scored a goal giving the New York Raptors a 5 to 2 lead against the Southern Connecticut Storm.

“I scored my first goal in 00.1 second for New York Raptors and gave them a 5 to 2 win against the Southern Connecticut Storm,” said Meyers.

The Final game scored is New York Raptors 5 and the Southern Connecticut Storm 3 at the Wonderland of ice in Bridgeport Connecticut .

Raptor’s Rap

by Michael Meyers New York Raptors Hockey Team

New York Raptors Second Away Game of the Season

T

he New York Raptors is an American Special Hockey Team for children with special needs who want skate on the ice.

The New York Raptors had their second away game of the season on February 14 against the Southern Connecticut Storm at the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport Connecticut . The New York Raptors had a good game against Southern Connecticut. The New York Raptors were losing by two goals in the first period and the New York Raptors had a good come back in one goal behind against the Southern Connecticut Storm in the second period. New York Raptors had a penalty shot scored by Niki T giving the New York Raptors their first goal and it was 2-1 for the Connecticut team. Then the New York Raptors were awarded

The Long Island Blues Winter Classic Tournament January 30 2016

T

he Long Island Blues is also an American Special Hockey team for special needs who want skate on the ice .

The New York Raptors got an invite for the Long Island Blues Winter Classic on January 30 2016 . New York Raptors had two games against the New Jersey Daredevils and The Long Island Blues at the Long Island Blues Winter Classic. The New York Raptors played the first game at Long Island Blues winter classic tournament against the New Jersey Daredevils and the second game against the Long Island Blues.

NEW YORK RAPTORS lost the first game against the New Jersey Daredevils 9; New York Raptors 5 and won the second game against the Long Island Blues 10; New York Raptors 15.

Reported to Michael Meyers from Teammate Kimberly Laverne Jones .

www.nyhockeyonline.com

East Hockey / Page 35 Head Coach Mike Stanaway has watched Warrick grow as a player and individual “Jimmy is an example of exactly what it takes to move to the NCAA from this level of junior hockey,” stated Aviators Head Coach Mike Stanaway. “He is a young man with a tremendous amount of character.

When you combine that his talent and skillset, it is inevitable that he will be a successful player at the collegiate level.”

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

AVIATORS CAPTAIN COMMITS TO AURORA

T

he NY Aviators team Captain Jimmy Warrick has commited to the Aurora University Spartans for next fall.

Warrick came to New York in the Fall of 2014 when he helped lead the NY Aviators to the 201415 Empire Division Championship and 2015 USA Hockey Tier III Junior Hockey Finals!

Since coming to Brooklyn Warrick has exemplified strong leadership qualities both on and off the ice. He became involved in the Aviator Hockey Club Youth Program and helped the coaching staff whenever he had free time.

“He has been a role model for our Organization and has never hesitated to volunteer his time”, said Aviators Owner Jim Loughran. “He has set the bar for future players and will be sorely missed....we wish him nothing but success throughout his College career’ Loughran added.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

East Hockey / Page 36

East Women’s College Report Union

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com

Goaltender Melissa Black made 1,000 career/single season saves this season. The 1,000th coming in a 3-1 loss to Dartmouth. She is the first freshman to accomplish this record since a goaltender from Lindenwood did it in 2012-13.

A loss to Princeton in regular season play closed out the 2015-16 season for Union with a 0-28-6 record.

RPI

Katie Rooney received ECAC Player of the Month for January and Lovisa Selander was ECAC

Goaltender of the Week for February 16, her third recognition this season. #8 RPI faces #1 Quinnipiac in postseason play, opening the ECAC playoffs at High Point Solutions Arena.

Manhattanville

A lone goal scored by Buffalo’s Jordan Roetzer (NJPE) ended the regular season at Manhattanville.

The 4-1 loss put the #6 seed Manhattanville into the New England Hockey Conference playoffs.

They ended with a 9-16-7 overall record and 7-10-0 in the NEHC.

Breakaway 2016 A Success

With over 500 people attending and over $200,000 raised to support the program, Breakaway 2016 was a success, according to Bill Greenberg of the WSF Sled Rangers.

Thirty-five of the Rangers 43 skaters were present as they skated in the middle of the NYC skyscrapers.

Special Guest Mark Messier skated for 45 minutes in a sled with the youth. They were giving him instructions on how to hold his stick, how to transition it to it thepuck and how to skate fast and stop.

“It was an incredible scene to watch 10-year-olds with disabilities taking the time with a six-time Stanley Cup, Hall-of-Famer, teaching him, “said Greenberg.

(Photos by Matt Petosa)

www.nyhockeyonline.com ARMY Thanks to a solid final five weeks, the Black Knights were in the mix to host a first round Atlantic Conference playoff series for the first time since the 2010-11 season. They were peaking at the right time in trying to win their first postseason series since 200708.

The Black Knights completed their first road weekend sweep since Oct. 2006 at Niagara Jan. 2930.

Junior goaltender Parker Gahagen (Buffalo, pictured below) was named the Travel Team USA Atlantic Hockey Goalie of the Week Feb. 16 after a 1-1 weekend at Robert Morris.

He stopped a total of 82 shots while allowing just three goals in two games against the league’s top scoring offense. Gahagen lowered his GAA to 2.29 and raised his save percentage to 0.930, ranking him top-five in the conference.

Army’s longest unbeaten streak since 2007-08 was snapped

East Hockey / Page 37 at six games by Robert Morris in m i d - F e b r u a r y.

They have also played a school record 12 overtime contests this season.

Army retired the jerseys of Dave Merhar ’69, George Clark ’75 and Dave Rost ’77 in a pregame ceremony Feb. 6.

East Men’s College Ice Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski Wkozires@brockport.edu

HUDSON VALLEY CC The 10-8-1 Vikings were one of four teams selected to play in the national tournament seeded third.

They were to face #2 Dakota with the winner advancing to play the victor of #1 Erie CC vs. #4 Williston.

The team was relying greatly on freshman Sean Spohr, who had 19 of the team’s 57 goals. Brandon Doherty (Hopewell Junction) was feeding many of those scoring play passes.

The team entered the postseason on a six game unbeaten streak.

M A N H AT TA N VILLE Despite winning only two games in February the Valiants still managed to hold onto second place in the ECAC West conference and were to host the winner of the Neumann @ Utica first round series in the semifinals.

Sophomore for-

ward Stephen Gaul continued his torrid pace as the only player on the roster with double-digit goals with 14.

Senior defenseman Matt Coleman (Brentwood) reached the 100 games played mark on Feb. 12 versus Hobart.

The team was near the top in goals per game against conference opponents, but dead last in goals per game allowed—not usually a great recipe for playoff success.

R.P.I. Two games from the end of the regular season and the Engineers were still in the mix to earn a first round playoff bye. At the very least, they will have home ice for a first round series if needed in early March.

With their 2-1 win over Harvard on Feb. 12, the Engineers set school record for one-goal victories in a season with 10.

Junior Riley Bourbonnais (Greece) leads the Engineers in a num-

www.nyhockeyonline.com ber offensive categories, including goals (13), points (21), goals per game (0.48), points per game (0.78), power play goals (4), power play points (7), game winning goals (3), shots on goal per game (2.52) and shooting percent- age (.191).

The Engineers did not take a penalty against 11thranked Yale Jan 30—the first time this has occurred since Oct. 24, 2009.

Both men’s and women’s hockey programs at RPI have added Aaron Quantock of Rensselaer to their staffs as the Operations Coordinator handling video coordination, including breaking down games, preparation and pre-scouting for upcoming opponents; team travel coordination; and community relations.

He will also serve as special events coordinator, including organizing alumni and community events.

Former forward Mike Zalewski signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks. After registering one assist in two games with Vancouver during the 2013-14 season, he has spent the last two seasons with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.

UNION Union entered the final weekend of the regular season three points behind Clarkson for the final home ECAC Hockey playoff spot.

The Dutchmen set a program record with their eighth tie of the season. Their 12 overtime games are the most in Division I. Mike Vecchione was named ECAC Player of the Week Feb. 16 after he produced two goals and an assist in Union’s 4-1 win at Dartmouth and assisted on the team’s lone goal at then No. 9/9 Harvard, extending his point streak to four games.

Freshman forward Brendan Taylor was named the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Week Feb. 2 as he netted his first career game-winning goal the Dutchmen’s 2-1 victory at then No. 11/12 Yale.

For the second consecutive year, senior defenseman Sebastien Gingras has been selected as a candidate for the BNY Mellon Hockey Humanitarian Award. One of 18 candidates nominated for the award, Gingras holds a 3.89 grade point average and is working on his senior thesis in collaboration with physicians from the Ellis Hospital Bariatric Group, examining underlying genetic factors that drive obesity. Last year, he was the recipient of the team’s Charles N. Morris

East Hockey / Page 38 Award, which is presented annually to a player who participates in extracurricular activities while demonstrating academic interest and achievement.

He also received the Harold and Ellen Nagorsky Memorial Prize, which is awarded to a junior premedical student who contributes the most to the Union College community through extracurricular activities.

Union College men’s ice hockey senior forward Theo Di Pauli von Treuheim (Downers Grove, Ill.) has been selected as a candidate for the 2015-16 men’s hockey Senior CLASS Award. The team’s Thomas Van Arden Award for the highest grade point average in each of his previous three seasons and two-time ECAC Hockey All-Academic honoree, he received the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, Tau Beta Pi’s Engineering Scholarship, the four-year Michael R. Novack Scholarship, the NSF-REU Fellowship Grant and is also a candidate for the Rhodes Scholarship. He is the cofounder of the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder at Albany Medical. He visited and established a friendship with terminally ill children prior to home games and invited them to meet the team after the games. As a role model for Hockey in Harlem, he inspires young, underprivileged innercity youth hockey players to pursue an education and sport-focused lifestyle.

OTHER AREA NOTES: • Mercyhurst forward Derek Barach (Glenmont) was named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week the last week in January after scoring two points in each game in a weekend versus AIC. He was also named Rookie of the Month in January after scoring 11 points on four goals and seven assists.

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

North Hockey

www.nyhockeyonline.com

North Hockey / Page 40

From the Championship Game Alexandria Bay/Thousand Islands vs Kenmore/Grand Island Alex Bay 3; Kenmore 2

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Northern New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

CANTON The Roos won three fewer games than last season, but that would be misleading by itself. Strength of schedule played into that as they played a full slate against the entire SUNYAC conference, which was seven more than last season.

They also started to get their own end in order late in the campaign allowing more than three goals in a game only three times after Jan. 19.

Seniors forwards George Curry and Joe Casale (Niagara Falls), defenseman Taylor Pickering and goaltender Luis Puig completed their college careers.

CLARKSON With one weekend remaining in the regular season, the Knights were in the driver’s seat to clinch home ice in the first round of the ECAC playoffs. They earlier had an eight-game unbeaten streak, but were in a three-game skid heading into the final pair.

Clarkson has gone 9-5-1 in 2016 and put together its streak against some of the best teams in the country, posting a 5-1-1 mark against Top 20-ranked teams since January 3.

The Knights own one of the best home records in the nation with an 11-2-2 mark at Cheel this season, outscoring the opponents 51-24 in Potsdam with two t o play.

North Hockey / Page 41 After scoring just once through 49 games in his first two seasons, forward Perry D’Arrisso is becoming a productive offensive force. He had five goals and eight points in 26 games of this season.

Junior defenseman Bryan Sinz withdrew from the University in January and transfered to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

PLATTSBURGH The Cardinals stumbled on home ice the final weekend of the regular season with ties against Brockport and Geneseo, but still take a nine game unbeaten streak into the postseason clinched the regular season SUNYAC title and home ice for the conference playoffs.

Gates-Chili product Pat Egan led the team in scoring as a freshman and stood fifth nationally in points per game by rookies.

Senior forwards Connor Gorman and Luke Baleshta each passed the century mark in career games played in February.

Freshman Cole Stoddard scored half of his 12 goals with the man-advantage.

POTSDAM The Bears ended the first half of the season nationally ranked, but fell hard just one win and one tie over their final seven contests. They still hung on for the sixth and final playoff berth and were traveling to Geneseo for the first round.

Goals scoring was largely the problem as they managed more than two goals in a game just once in the stretch and were held to one or zero goals four times.

Dylan Vander Esch, Billy Pascalli (Deer Park) and Jake Rivera all surpassed the 20-points scored mark

www.nyhockeyonline.com Brendan McMenimen was named the SUNYAC Goalie of the Week for the second time this season Feb. 8 after guiding the Bears to a 1-0-1 SUNYAC weekend with a 1.92 goals-against-average and a .933 save percentage.

ST. LAWRENCE The Saints caught fire in February with a 3-1-2 run with two games remaining in the regular season and were hanging on for a first round playoff bye.

North Hockey / Page 42 Defenseman Gavin Bayreuther was one of the few defensemen nationally to lead their team in scoring with 25 points.

Jacob Pritchard was named ECAC Rookie of the Week Feb. 9 after he led all conference rookies in scoring for the second straight week recording three goals in two road games.

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

Gregg drops the puck for Geneseo Assistant Captain Nate Brown and Potsdam Assistant Captain Brad Campagne on Autism Awareness Day. (Potsdam Photograph)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

North Hockey / Page 43

Beekmantown Takes on Alexandria Bay/Thousand Islands in Game 1 of NYS Girls Varsity Championship Action.

Alexandria Bay/Thousand Islands 4 Beekmantown 1

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Game 2 NYS Girls High School Championships Kenmore/Grand Island 4 Canton 3

North Hockey / Page 44

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Northern New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@ nyhockeyonline.com

Potsdam

Abby Tardell, AnnaRose Bertin, and Jenna Patterson were named to the ECAC Honor Roll for February 18. Tardell is from Potsdam and played for the North Country Ice Storm.

At 9-14-2 overall and 4-13-1 in the conference, Potsdam Abbey Tardell, Potsdam/North lost their final game Country Ice Storm (Potsdam Photo) 10-0 to #1 Plattsburgh.

Clarkson

With a 15-game unbeaten streak going the #2 Golden Knights look to the postseason play has they host #7 Cornell in the Quarterfinals of ECAC play.

Loren Gabel took ECAC Rookie of the Week on February 19.

North Hockey / Page 45 Clarkson closed out its regular season play with a 26-3-5 overall record and 14-3-5 in the ECAC.

Plattsburgh

Melissa Sheeran (Schaghticohe/Millbrook School) took ECAC West Player of the Week honors for February 1.

She had 6 points in a pair of wins over #2 Elmira and has 23 goals/20 assists on the season. Her 2.15 pt. per game average makes her a leader in DIII hockey. She was also named to the D3hockey.com Team of the Week February 2.

Courtney Moriarty received her first ECAC honor as Rookie of the Week on February 8 and then received it a second time on February 22.

As #1 seed, Clarkson has home ice advantage in throughout the playoffs. They ended their regular season 23-1-0 overall and 16-1-0 in the conference.

St. Lawrence

Saints Amanda Boulier joined the 100 Point Club with an assists against St. Lawrence on Senior Day. St. Lawrence is seeded sixth in the ECAC postseason play and will play Princeton in the first round.

The Saints close out the regular season 15-13-6 overall and 9-8-5 in the conference.

Canton

Canton is 7-6-1 in the Colonial Hockey Conference and is seeded fourth. They face #5 Becker in the first round of the playoffs.

Jessica Pele was named Roo of the Week with 3 goals/1 assist in a weekend vs Johnson Wales.

Rhea Coad (Wheatfield/Ontario Hockey Academy) was also named Roo of the Week for that same weekend stand against Johnson and Wales. Coad had 3 goals and an assist.

West Hockey

www.nyhockeyonline.com

By Warren Kozireski

C

ory Gurski is in the final stretch of his four year college hockey playing career at forward for the Buffalo State Bengals and he is going out in style.

Not known for scoring a lot of points, but instead playing a solid checking role and using his speed on the penalty killing unit, Gurski all of a sudden has found his scoring touch.

He entered this season with four goals over the first three seasons and 61 games with the Bengals. This year he had five in 20 games with most coming in the second half in helping the Bengals rise to one point out of second place with one weekend remaining in the regular season.

“It’s been nice that it’s finally been coming around—I’ve waited a couple of years for this, but I couldn’t do it without my teammates,” Gurski said. “My line is rolling and all of us are going, so I can’t really complain. “(The penalty kill) is one thing I’ve been able to bring to the team; it’s always been my forte. The penalty kill is phenomenal right now at the top of the SUNY’s (stats) and we’re going to keep rolling.”

“It was funny because (former Hilton head coach) John Farnham and I had Cory and Corey Sherman on the penalty kill as eighth-graders because they were shifty and how quick they were and how smart they were with the puck,” former Hilton assistant and now head coach Chris Monfiletto said.

“There are very few guys who played for this program who had the skill level of Cory Gurski and the biggest thing is that he can do things at top speed that not many guys can do—and he has a laser beam for a shot. More importantly he’s a tough kid that works hard and he’s earned everything he’s gotten.”

Gurski played four seasons for Hilton, which included scoring the double-overtime game winning goal in a playoff game against Penfield and earning First Team All-League West Division honors. He decided to spend his senior season with the Rochester Jr. Americans splitting time between

West Hockey / Page 47 their Eastern Junior League team and the Empire League squad where he scored 20 goals with 18 assists in 31 games. The next season was in a Buffalo Jr. Sabres uniform and he netted 15 goals with nine assists over 39 games.

“Jerimiah Crowe was the assistant coach for the Jr. Sabres when I was there and he went to Buffalo State so I was able to join him here.”

Gurski’s Bengals had won seven of their last eight games with their only blemish a 1-0 loss to then-#2 in the nation Plattsburgh. The recent streak had them a solid third in the SUNYAC conference just one point behind second place Geneseo with two games remaining in the regular

HILTON’S GURSKI WRAPPING UP HOCKEY CAREER AT BUFFALO STATE

season.

“His biggest asset is his speed,” Buffalo State interim head coach Steve Murphy said. “When he uses his speed he is really, really good and he’s picking it up (offensively) at the right time.

“He’s playing well right now.

Our top guys are always going to be our top guys and if we can get a guy who plays on our so-called third line on fire, I kind of like our chances moving forward.”

(Photos courtesy Buffalo State)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 48

WNY Boys High School Hockey

Iroquois team at Press Conference for Super Sunday (Randy Schultz Photo)

Iroquois Hockey--JV

I

n what turned out to be their final game of the season the Junior Varsity Chiefs played their most courageous game. The final score might indicate a loss but in the hearts and minds of everyone who watched the game the seven players who took the ice on Valentines Day 2016 were winners. This is not rhetoric or exaggeration. Each player who took the ice played as well as they have all season. On defense Mike Mueller, Alexis Missel, and stand in Zach Murphy played long minutes frustrating opponents on each rush. Offensively, Luke Pukalo, Josh Harris, Dylan Schiffhauer, Ryan Kingston outplayed the opposing City Honors/Ohara team for a majority of the game. Backstopping the team was goalie Tyler Pache, who in his third career start, proved he could handle the pressure of playoffs. Without Pache stellar play the game would have been a blowout. In the end chances were had and posts were hit, any of which would have changed the outcome had they crossed the goaline. These players left every ounce of energy they could muster on the ice. Shifts were several minutes long yet the pressure did not cease. It is often Cliche say that everyone is a winner nowadays but not in this

case. The opposing coach even had kind words for these Chiefs as he barely escaped defeat. These Chiefs experience a valuable lesson on Valentines day 2016: It truly isn’t whether you win or lose but how you play the game. These seven played great.

Varsity Chiefs Advance to Super Sunday

A

fter enjoying a first round bye the Iroquois Chiefs swept the Dunkirk/Fredonia Steelers in a thrilling second round best of three games series 2-0.

The first playoff game was played on the road at the SUNY Fredonia College ice arena in Fredonia, New York on February 18, 2016. The Chiefs started the scoring on the power play after freshman defenseman Cole Miller (Iroquois) drew a penalty when he was tripped from behind.

Senior forward Gage Mueller (Alden) won the offensive draw to sophomore Spencer Hrynczak (Alden), who sent

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 49

the puck back to the game at the 16:46 point where junior mark in the second Alex Held (Iroquois) period. The Chiefs ripped a slap shot by stormed back with the Steelers goal tentwo consecutive talder for the first goal lies from senior Gage of the game. The Mueller (Alden), asSteelers struck back sisted by Jamie Bonn with their own powand Garrett Miller er play goal to tie (Iroquois). The Steelthe game. The secers would pull within ond period had the on with 6:00 minutes Chiefs strike again left in the second pewith Gage Mueller riod.

Then Chiefs ripping a shot off a sophomore Spencer Spencer Hrynczak Hrynczak (Alden) pass by the Steelers found the back of goalie for the Chiefs the net, assisted by second goal.

The Owen Creighton (IroChiefs scored their quois), with 4:05 left third goal with Alex in the second to give Held’s 2nd of the Super Sunday Team Captains Depew/Anthony Russell; Orchard Park/Ryan Riter; the Chiefs a comnight when he put a manding 4-2 lead.

Iroquois/Alex Held; Olean/Noah Carlson; St. Joes/Luke Pierce; Starpoint/Patrick rebound in the short The third period saw Miklinski (Photo by Randy Schultz) side of the net off a the Chiefs pull away Gage Mueller shot. from the visiting The Steelers struck back with 1:51 left in the second to pull Steelers with two more goals from Hrynczak. The first one within one off a scrum in front of Chiefs goal tender Ty- was short handed and un-assisted on a breakaway and the ler Fredette (Iroquois). The third period was intense. The second with an assist from junior Joe Russo (Timon). The Steelers came charging out with an impressive offense Chiefs got into penalty trouble taking a total of 5 penalties. charge. Forwards Jamie Bonn (Iroquois), Sam Rider (Iro- Fredonia was unable to convert on any of their power play quois), and Jake Vitello (Iroquois) killed off several pen- situations. Even late in the third period when they pulled alties. Alex Held netted a hat trick with an un assisted their goalie for a 6 on 3 advantage. The defensive core for short handed goal late in the game. Forwards Joe Russo the Chiefs was extremely strong. Penalty kill leaders in(Timon) and Ryan Coulombe (Iroquois) physically pun- cluded Cameron Giancarlo (Iroquois), Garrett and Cole ished the Fredonia defenseman on the point every chance Miller (Iroquois), and Owen Creighton (Iroquois) backed they could. The Chiefs defense was up to the challenge by goalie Tyler Fredette held the Steelers scoreless in the and kept the Steelers from scoring. Juniors Garrett Miller third period to clinch a spot in the Super Sunday Champi(Iroquois), Cameron Giancarlo (Iroquois), Owen Creighton onship Game.

(Iroquois), Adam Czech (Alden), sophomore Tim McCormick (Iroquois), freshman Cole Miller (Iroquois) were solid in front of Chiefs goalie Tyler Fredette whom stood tall to Iroquois Game Notes continued on Page 67 secure the win.

The second playoff game was at Leisure Rinks on February 21, 2016. The stands were loaded with fans from both teams. The first period was a tightly played game. The Chiefs scored the only tally of the period when forward Alex Held (Iroquois) ripped a shot past the Fredonia goalie with 5:31 left in the first period. Assisting for the Chiefs was Jamie Bonn (Iroquois). Fredonia came back to tie the

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 50

WNYGVIH: KENMORE Five-Peats For Section VI Win Monsignor Martin Repeats WNYGVIH League Win

S

Kenmore/Grand Island take their Fifth Section VI WNYGVIH Title

ix years ago the Western New York Varsity Ice Hockey League took to the ice. While the end result each year is one that you might think is predictable; it never has been.

Each and every post season game was crucial to the teams involved. This year was no different.

In order to play in the New York State Girls High School Ice Hockey Championship, WNY must have a post-season playoff to declare the Section VI champion.

Monsignor Martin cannot be part of this because they are not a public school.

This year #6 seed Lancaster Iroquois was defeated 4-1 by #3 seed Amherst/Sweethome/Clarence; #4 seed Kenmore/Grand Island upset #5 seed West Seneca/Hamburg in the first round.

Kenmore/Grand Island then faced #1 seed Williamsville, beating them 4-1 and #2 Orchard Park/ Frontier faced off against Amherst Katz with FOP coming out on top 4-2.

Frontier/Orchard Park then took on Kenmore/

Grand Island in a game that had Kenmore dropping in the first puck just a minute into the game and then a second on the power play to end the first period 2-0.

Kenmore/Grand Island scored one in the second and in the opening minutes of the third period, Frontier/Orchard Park put in 2 making it an exciting third period. Kenmore scored at 12:10 giving them the 4-2 win.

Kenmore/Grand Island took their fifth Section VI title and their fifth trip to the New York State Championship. There they faced Alexandria Bay/Thousand Islands, losing 3-2.

In Kenmore’s (without Grand Island) first three trips to the States they lost in the semi-final round.

Year 4 they made it to the Championship game and lost to Massena here in Buffalo at HarborCenter.

Monsignor Martin has won the Federation Championship four times with this year’s win. Williamsville won in 2011 and Kenmore/Grand Island won in 2014.

To make it to the Federation Championship game

www.nyhockeyonline.com

the seeding stayed the same.

The Quarterfinals found #1 Williamsville shutting out #7 Lancaster/Iroquois 4-0; Orchard Park/Frontier over #6 West Seneca/Hamburg 8-1; and Amherst/ Sweethome/Clarence 5-4 over Kenmore/Grand Island. #1 Monsignor Martin beat #4 Amherst/ Sweethome/Clarence 3-1 and after three overtimes Williamsville beat Frontier/Orchard Park 4-3.

Here is a game report from the Championship.

Monsignor Martin won it’s fourth Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Championship in six seasons, defeating Williamsville in the championship game, 2-0. It was also the second consecutive WNYGVIHF Championship for Monsignor Martin.

The game, which was held at the Northtown Center at Amherst, had been delayed for nearly two weeks because of school closings on the original date due to inclement weather.

Monsignor Martin was lead by the solid goaltending of Brianna Gawronski, a junior who attends Mt. Mercy Academy.

Following a scoreless first period Monsignor Martin struck first with an unassisted goal by Fiona Danahy at 6:05 of the second period. This came

West Hockey / Page 51

moments following two consecutive minor penalty kills by Monsignor Martin, which saw the team down two players for a little over a minute.

A little over eight minutes later Monsignor Martin struck again with a power play goal by Kayla Blas at 14:35. Catherine Radwan assisted on the insurance goal.

It was a scoreless third period which saw Monsignor Martin kill off a penalty late in the game. With

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 52 just a little more than two minutes remaining in regulation time, Williamsville head coach, Rick Hopkins, pulled goalie Jenna Lukomski for the extra attacker.

Monsignor Martin, who finished first overall in the WNYGVIH regular season standings, is coached by Linda Groff-Mroz.

Groff-Mroz Coach of the Year

Linda Groff-Mroz has been named the first WNYGVIH Coach of the Year.

Coach Linda began her coaching career assisting Monsignor Martin former coach Christopher Malicki.

She has been head coach for the past two years.

In addition to her coaching at the high school level, she serves as General Manager to the Buffalo Beauts of the National Wom-

en’s Hockey League.

Her hockey career in WNY includes playing DI hockey with the former Niagara University Womens Ice Hockey Team.

Miller Receives Rusin Award

Kenmore Assistant Coach Matt Miller is the fourth recipient of the Dr. Rusin Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the WNYGVIH League. Miller served as the statistician this season along with his coaching responsibilities.

Federation Honors Announced

Federation honors were announced for the 2015-16 season.

Named to First Team were: Briana Garonski, goalie, Monsignor Martin; Maeve Christ, defense, Monsignor Martin; Grace Simmons, defense, Kenmore/Grand Island; Kaitlyn Drew-Mead, forward, Monsignor Martin; Julia Mings, forward, Amherst/Sweethome/Clarence and Olivia Smith, forward, Kenmore/Grand Island.

Named to Second Team: Victoria Cottrell, goalie, Frontier/Orchard Park; Brianna Colucci, defense, Lancaster/Iroquois; Samatha Gaffney, defense, Williamsville; Leah Dzerwinski, forward, Williamsville; Emily King, forward, Kenmore/Grand Island and Catharine Radwan, forward, Monsignor Martin.

2016-2017 TRYOUTS

Mon March 7 5:30-6:40 pm 5:30-6:40 pm 6:50-8:00 pm 6:50-8:00 pm 7:30-8:40 pm

Feature Rink 2 Feature Rink 2 Rink 1

Squirt Major AAA PeeWee Major AAA Squirt Minor AAA Girls 12U PeeWee Minor AAA

Tue. March 8 5:30-6:30 pm 5:30-6:30 pm 5:30-6:30 pm 6:40-8:00 pm 6:40-7:40 pm 6:40-7:40 pm 7:50-9:00 pm 8:10-9:20 pm

Feature Rink 2 Olympic Rink 2 Olympic Feature Feature Rink 2

PeeWee Major AAA Squirt Major AAA Squirt Minor AAA Squirt Major AA Squirt Minor AA PeeWee Minor AAA PeeWee Major AA PeeWee Minor AA

Feature Rink 2 Rink 2 Feature Rink 1

Squirt Major AA-2nd team PeeWee Major AA Squirt Major AA PeeWee Minor AA Squirt Minor AA

Bill Higgins Scott Mosher Peter Kneis TBA Bill Schwartz Scott Mosher Bill Higgins Peter Kneis Rich Crozier Anthony Pantanzo Bill Schwartz Tim Digiulio Rich Fineberg

Wed. March 9 5:30-6:40 pm 5:30-6:30 pm 6:50-7:50 pm 6:50-7:50 pm 7:30-8:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.AMHERSTYOUTHHOCKEY.ORG

Ian Kyle Tim DiGiulio Rich Crozier Rich Fineberg Anthony Pantano

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Around WNY... ...The

First Annual Women’s WNY Invitational Hockey Tournament will be held March 4-6 at Holiday and Leisure Rinks in Buffalo. This is a Women’s “B” and

West Hockey / Page 54 “C” tournament. There is also a Women’s “C” league being formed in Buffalo. For information contact Chrissy Wolcott at 716-685-3660. ...The West Section will hold their meeting April 9 beginning at Noon at the Amherst Northtown Center. ...The 15th Jeffrey Scott Memorial Tournament will be held March 10-

13. It is hosted by the Cheektowaga Warriors Hockey Association..

Twelve teams will participate.

Buffal Regals Girls Helped with Chuck-A-Puck at Beauts Game!

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY E-Magazine

NJPE at NU vs RIT Game preparing to help with Chuck-A-Puck!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 55

Buffalo Stars Tryouts 2016-17

Squirt Major (2006) Coach Tony Matczynski 612-710-1698 Peewee Minor (2005) Coach Bob Maxick 716-553-4011 Peewee Major (2004) Coach Joe Burton 716-432-3999

Monday, March 7th at Holiday 07:30pm Squirt Major AA 08:30pm Peewee Minor AA Tuesday, March 8th at Holiday 07:30pm Peewee Minor AA 08:30pm Peewee Major AA Wednesday, March 9th at Holiday 06:15pm Squirt Major AA 07:15pm Peewee Major AA For general information contact Pete Preteroti at 685-1122 or visit us on line at: www.buffalostars.com All Participants must present a release from their current organization in order to participate in the tryout. Release required even from House League.

Tryout fee is $15 per session.

Contact us at: SportsNiag@aol.com Visit our website for Budgets; Coach Bio; Season Plan; etc...

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 56

Buffalo Stars Hockey Pee Wee Minors Win In Cleveland

T

he victory celebration was in full swing as the Buffalo Stars Minor Peewee team won the Tier 2 Championship at the Rock and Roll Cup Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio. The tournament was played in various arenas in the suburbs of Cleveland from February 12-14.

Resiliency was the key for the young team, as they seized an opportunity to battle back and secure a 4-3 shootout victory in the championship game.

The victory capped off an outstanding finish to a season that saw the team take to heart lessons that had been preached and taught all season by head coach Joe Burton, headlined by a never-say-die attitude and an emphasis on continual team growth.

The Stars surrendered the first two goals of the game and were being outplayed until late in the first period when momentum began to swing their way after one particularly outstanding shift. Buffalo kept the puck in the offensive zone for the better part of two minutes and wore down the opposition to the point that you could feel a goal for the Stars was going to come quickly.

Sure enough, the Stars were able to get on the board shortly thereafter and the next two periods show-

cased some intense back-and-forth action with the Stars getting a late goal to tie the game at 3 and send the contest into overtime.

The overtime period was a fierce battle, but neither team was able to break the stalemate, sending the contest into a shootout.

The Stars scored three times in the shootout and only gave up one goal, securing the victory and earning the team their first championship of the season.

This tournament was a testament to the growth and progress that the team has made this season and that had been particularly evident in the last month. In these past weeks, the team had been showing real evidence of everything coming together, and there was a sense going into the tournament that their play could lead to big things if the upward trend continued. In

the end, the team delivered and showed, once again, that Buffalo Stars hockey is played with grit, determination, and pride. This time, they have the hardware to prove it.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 57

Buffalo Stars Hockey Skills and Conditioning Clinic Buffalo Hornets Hockey LLC will conduct a 3 Session Skills and Conditioning Clinic for those high level hockey athletes in the 2001-1997 birth year.

The sessions will be run by current University at Buffalo ACHA D3 Head Coach James Doersam.

The sessions are March 16, 23, and 30 at Holiday Twin Rinks from 5:15-7:15pm. The first hour will be dedicated to skill development and the second hour will be a game.

This program will be limited to 6 goaltenders, 12 defense and 24 forwards.

Cost will be $50 for the 3 sessions or $25 per session walk on. Walk on participants are not guaranteed participation if we fill in advance.

Register via email and include your name, phone number, current team, year of birth and position.

Register at: BfloHornetsLLC@aol.com

Minor Bantam; Bantam; Midget U15; Midget U16; Midget U18; Girls U19

ALL TRYOUTS AT HOLIDAY RINKS **UNLESS NOTED

Tuesday, April 5th

Wednesday, April 6th

4:15pm…Midget U18 (AA) Full Season AAA 4:15pm…Midget U15 AA 5:15pm…Minor Bantam AA 5:15pm…Bantam AA 6:15pm…Midget U16 (AA) Full Season AAA 7:15pm…Girls U19 9:00pm**…Midget U18 Split Season AA (**at HYDE Park)

4:00pm…Midget U18 (AA) Full Season AAA 4:00pm…Midget U18 Split Season AA 5:00pm…Midget U15 AA 6:00pm…Minor Bantam AA 6:00pm…Bantam AA 7:00pm…Girls U19 8:00pm…Midget U16 Split Season AA 9:00pm…Midget U16 (AA) Full Season AAA

For general information contact Pete Preteroti at 685-1122 or SportsNiag@aol.com All Participants must present a release from their current organization in order to participate in the tryout. Release required. Tryout fee is $15 per session. www.buffalostars.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 58

Buffalo Stars Hockey

Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player of Buffalo Stars Youth Spotlight Player of the Week the Week February 14 February 7

Connor Robinson Bantam Major Team When Connor steps on the ice you know that your in good hands. He stands in front of the net and stops just about everything and everyone that goes towards his goalie. His teammates can play their position better because they know that he can handle anything the other team throws at him. Its all business for Connor. And that’s how he likes it. Awesome D !!!! Big C!!!

Connor is 13 years old and the defenseman is 5’6” and weighs 175 lbs. He is an eighth grader and likes mathematics. Connor lives in Lackawanna and considers his father as his role model.

He likes all music, enjoys pizza and his favorite TV show is the NHL Network. He also plays Lacrosse.

Connor is know as “Big C.”

Bryce Yorke Bantam Major Built like a linebacker, Bryce uses his size and strength to constantly fight for the puck. Whether its in the corners or behind the net he’s always looking to set up his teammates in front of the net. He has a lot of heart and he never quits until he hears the whistle. It takes a special person to grind it out like that. Not many people are up to that challenge. But Bryce is!

Bryce is 14 years old and is 5’10” tall at 175 lbs.

He is a right wing. The ninth grader lives in Lancaster and his favorite subnect is global history. He loves Hamburger Mac n Cheese and enjoys Rap music and the TV show Family Guy. His Grandfather is his role model because he served in the Marines and protected our country.

Bryce also plays baseball and football.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 59

Cheektowaga Warriors Squirts Win the Patroits Day Tournament at Hyde Park Arena.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 60

NJPE Action at Their President’s Day Tournament

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Western New York Women’s College Hockey Report

by Janet Schultz Janet@nyhockeyonline.com JDSchultz3663@gmail.com

Buffalo

The Buffalo State Bengals are headed to the playoffs with one of the best records in their history.

Ending the regular season 18-7-0 overall and 126-0 in the ECAC they are hosting the Quarterfinals as the number four seed against #5 seed Oswego.

The Bengals split a pair of games against #10 Utica as they closed out the regular season.

Buffalo’s Erin Gehen is sixth in All-Time Scoring in Buffalo’s history with 48 points on 24 goals/24 assists in 50 games.

Vivi Vaattovaara was named to the D3hockey. com National Team of the Week February 3.

Buffalo State had three players recognized by the ECAC Women’s West on its All-Conference teams, including Justine Silva (Baldwin Park, CA/Arroyo) who was named second team and the Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and Erin Gehen(West Seneca, NY/W. Seneca West) who drew honorable mention honors. Third-year head coach Candice Moxley was also named ECAC West Coach of the Year.

Silva, a sophomore forensic chemistry major, shares the top defensive honors with Plattsburgh goalie Camille Leonard. Silva has set a school record with 16 wins and is on pace to do the same with a 1.57 goals against average and a .945 save percentage. She has also matched a school record with four shutouts and has appeared in 23 games. Silva earned honorable mention last season.

Gehen, a sophomore business major, earned honorable mention status after leading the Bengals in scoring with 17 goals and 27 points in 24 games played. She also leads the nation in shorthanded goals with five and has added a team-high five power-play

West Hockey / Page 61

goals. In just two seasons as a Bengal, Gehen already ranks sixth in school history with 48 points (24 goals and 24 assists) in 50 games.

Moxley, in her third season as head coach of the Bengals, has led a complete transformation of the program. Buffalo State has shattered a school record for wins in a season with an overall mark of 18-7-0 and finished fourth in ECAC West play at 12-6-0. The previous record for win was 11 set in 2000-01. Moxley inherited a program that had won just 13 games in two seasons, and has now led the Bengals to threeconsecutive playoff appearances

RIT

Maddi Grisko (Buffalo) and Brinna Dochniak scored their first collegiate goals in a 3-2 win over Lindenwood.

Jenna deJonge was named CHA Rookie of the Week for February 7 and 22.

Carley Payeri’s game-winning goal lead RIT to a 3-2 victory over Robert Morris and set them up to face #3 Penn State in the first round of the 2016 CHA playoffs.

RIT closed out the regular season 8-25-1 overall and 4-15-1 in the CHA.

University of Buffalo

Another team from WNY with a great year, the University of Buffalo Lady Ice Bulls.

The Bulls had beaten West Chester University 5-3 and 6-3 on February 13 and 14 to put them into the Championship against the same team.

In a story taken from the ACHA site, this is a recap of the Championship Game.

Buffalo University at tried its best to erase a twogoal deficit, but West Chester University would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.

A goal by Lindsay Howard put West Chester University up 4-2 in the third period, but Buffalo University at pulled to within one on Mamie Talty’s tally 2:04 into the third period.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 62 Mitchell, and Courtney Miller, who contributed one each.

Presley Fiorilli made 30 saves for West Chester University on 34 shots. West Chester University incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors. Kaitlyn Simmons rejected 23 shots on goal for Buffalo University at. Buffalo University at incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.

UB was seeded #2 after posting a 15-12-3 record.

Leading the scoreboard for the Bulls were Mamie Talty with 18 goals/28 assists; Alexis Peters, 13 goals/16 assists; Courtney Miller, 18 goals/9 assists and Maddy Norton, 19 goals/4 assists.

Kaitlyn Simmons kept the opponents at bay with a 12 win, 3 loss record after posting a 3.20 GAA and .892 Save Percentage.

Kaitlyn Simmons

Your Source For NYS Hockey News!

NY HOCKEY

West Chester University got the win behind a great game by Howard, who had two goals and one assist.

Howard scored the first of his two goals at 16:30 into the second period to make the score 3-2 West Chester University. Mallory Norris picked up the assist.

Howard’s next tally made the score 4-2 West Chester University with 18:25 left in the third period. Kirsten Baron assisted on the tally.

West Chester University additionally got points from Baron, who also racked up one goal and one assist. W2 West Chester University also had goals scored by Catherine Gagnon and Maria Gibson, who each put in one. More assists for West Chester University came via Colleen Elvin and Emelia Bebee, who each chipped in one.

West Chester University was unable to stop Buffalo University at from sending pucks towards the net, and Buffalo University at eventually piled up 34 shots on goal.

Buffalo University at also got points from Madeline Norton, who also registered one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Buffalo University at included Courtney Thornton and Alexis Peters, who scored one goal each. In addition, Buffalo University at received assists from Lynn Copeland, Caitlin

E-Magazine

Mamie Talty

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Western New York Men’s College Hockey Report

by Warren Kozireski

Wkozires@brockport.edu

BROCKPORT The Golden Eagles took three points during the final weekend of the regular season and leap-frog into fifth place in the final SUNYAC standings. They fell to fourth-seed Oswego in the conference semi-finals.

Senior Chad Cummings was named SUNYAC Defenseman of the Year and forward Tim Kielich (East Aurora) was named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year.

Cummings scored five goals with 16 points and also registered 11 blocked shots this season. Kielich recorded 19 points in 16 conference games. Cummings was also named to the All-SUNYAC second team.

Senior Chase Nieuwendyk, named First Team All-SUNYAC, exceeded 100 career points Feb. 19 at Plattsburgh. Senior defenseman Chris Luker (New Hartford) was named Third Team on defense.

Zac Sikich scored his first career hat trick Jan. 29 against Canton.

The team said goodbye to seniors Cummings, Luker, Jonathan Demme, Jeremy DeFazio, Jesse Facchini, James Ryan, Jared Lockhurst and Nieuwendyk

BUFFALO STATE The Bengals enter the postseason after setting a new school record for wins in a season with 11. They swept the final weekend of the regular season to pass Geneseo and move into second place in SUNYAC and earn

West Hockey / Page 63 a first round bye—a first in the program’s history.

They entered the postseason on a six game winning streak having allowed more than two goals in a game just once since January 16 and hosted thirdseed Geneseo in the conference semi-finals.

Sophomore goaltender Mike DeLaVergne (Pawling) was named First Team All-SUNYAC with senior forward Ryan Salkeld a Second Team choice and junior Taylor Pryce a Third Team selection.

CANISIUS The Golden Griffins needed one point in the final regular season weekend to secure home ice in the first round of the Atlantic Conference playoffs.

Junior Shane Conacher netted a goal Feb. 20 against Sacred Heart to become the 10th player in the program’s Division I history with 100 career points.

He is only the second junior to accomplish the mark— the other his brother Cory.

Dylan McLaughlin (Lancaster) was named the NCAA Third Star of the Week as well as earning Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week honors Feb. 16.

McLaughlin led the Griffs’ attack with six points in the weekend sweep of Bentley. He registered a pair of assists in a first game victory before matching the program’s Division I record with four assists in the following win.

Jimmy Mazza (Kings Park) and Alex Jaeckle both netted their first collegiate tallies Feb. 12 against Bentley.

Senior forward Ralph Cuddemi was named one of 20 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award. Off the ice, Cuddemi maintains a 3.45 grade point average as a communications major with a minor in marketing.

The Griffs’ captain is a two-time selection to the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team and is a four-time member of the Dean’s List. He has also been active within the Buffalo community, volunteering with Hasek’s Heroes, the Food Bank of Western New York

www.nyhockeyonline.com and Habitat for Humanity.

ERIE CC The defending champion Kats earned the top-seed for the national championships at Broome CC the final weekend in February. Their first round opponent is fourth-seed Williston State. #2 Dakota and #3 Hudson Valley are the other semi-finalists.

Eric CC finished 21-4-0 overall and a perfect 11-0 against conference competition behind the nation’s top NJCAA scorer in Aaron Wanat (Cheektowaga) (62 points in 25 games) and the top goaltender in William Korczynski (West Seneca) (2.32 GAA and .920 save percentage).

FREDONIA Four conference wins weren’t enough for the Blue Devils to qualify for the SUNYAC postseason finishing six points out in seventh place. But, with two ties, their ten points are a significant improvement from the three points earned in 2014-15.

They lose only four seniors, but key components in starting goaltender Jeff Flagler, captain and defenseman Ryan Wilkinson and forwards Taylor Bourne and Mitch Kaufman.

GENESEO The Knights tied with Buffalo State for second place and the first round playoff bye it brings on the final day of the regular season, but were slotted third on tiebreaker criteria. That meant a first round home game, where they ended sixth seed Potsdam’s season 4-1.

Forward Stephen Collins (Pittsford) was named SUNYAC Player of the Year after his 20-20-40 campaign (fourth nationally). Trevor Hills (Honeoye Falls) and defenseman Pat Condon were also a First Team selections while goaltender Devin McDonald was named to the Third Team. He made a career-high 44 saves in the first round playoff win over Potsdam.

Head coach Chris Schultz (Aquinas) was named

West Hockey / Page 64 SUNYAC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career.

NAZARETH Just two wins in February sunk the Golden Flyers to fifth place in ECAC West and a first round playoff game at fourth seed Neumann, which they lost 2-1.

Senior defenseman Scott Dawson was named as a First-Team all-star in the ECAC West Conference with senior forward Scott Andler and senior goaltender Ed Zdolshek honorable mention selections and freshman defenseman J.R. Wojciechowski named to the AllRookie Team.

The four-year program said goodbye their first recruiting class in 14 seniors: Sean de Herder, Matt Conway (Bayville), Mike Miller, Scott Andler, Packy Jones (Skaneateles), Tom Mediak (Lancaster), Dawson, Marco Spisso (Highland Falls), Rocky Gruttadauria (Spencerport), Uthman Samaai, James Redman, Jordan Demo (Cazenovia) and Zdolshek.

NIAGARA The light went on late for the Purple Eagles as they earned points in a season-high five straight games in February, but entered the final weekend in a battle with AIC to stay out of last place in the Atlantic Hockey Conference. They owned the tiebreaker, but were headed to the road for the first round series.

With 25 saves in the Feb. 5 game at AIC, Jackson Teichroeb became just the fourth goaltender in Niagara history and the tenth active goaltender in the NCAA to reach 2,000 career saves. He joins Jeff Van Nynatten (2,956), Juliano Pagliero (2,699) and Greg Gardner (2,639) in the 2,000-save club, and he becomes the first Niagara goaltender to eclipse that milestone before his senior season.

Their weekend sweep at AIC Feb. 5-6 marked their first road whitewash since Jan. 2013 against the same team. They did win two straight at Air Force in the 2014 playoffs, but dropped game one.

(Continued on top of next Page)

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Former Purple Eagle Scott Arnold is returning after his three-year professional career as Director of Hockey Operations.

January addition Johnny Curran scored his first goal as a Purple Eagle at Holy Cross Feb. 6.

R.I.T. The Tigers entered their final two regular season games in a three-way tie for third place in Atlantic Hockey, but guaranteed a first round playoff bye, which they hope will allow their top two goaltenders to get healthy.

Junior Mike Rotolo (Greece) and freshman Chris Short both sat out several weekends near the end of the season with injuries while Nick Amato, called up from the school’s club team, was seeing more playing time than the

Pictured are the WNY Federation Super Monday Captains Kenmore East/Cllen Smyth; Williamsville East/Mike Steffan; Niagara Wheatfield/Matt Canada; Williamsville North/Zach Kurbiel; St. Joes/ August Cudek; Canisius/Matt Santora .

Super Monday coverage will appear in the April issue of NYHOL Magazine, as well as our website: www. nyhockeyonline.com (Randy Schultz Photo)

West Hockey / Page 65 coaching staff would normally prefer.

NOTES

Senior defenseman Alexander Kuqali was named one of 20 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award.

In the classroom, Kuqali maintains an excellent 3.89 grade point average as an accounting major, won RIT’s Green B. Williams Award for Academic Excellence in 2015 and was a CoSIDA/ Capital One Academic All-District At-Large First Team selection. Kuqali, who also serves on RIT’s StudentAthlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), is a 2016 Saunders College of Business commencement speaker nominee. In the community, Kuqali has delivered teddy bears to children at the Rochester Regional Health Pediatric Department and participated in sled hockey with a local Rochester area group and USA Hockey.

• McQuaid head coach and former RIT Tiger Al Vyverberg earned his 400th career win Feb. 13 over Irondequoit.

• Former Penfield resident Terry Shafer set a new school goaltending record with his fifth career shutout for Robert Morris over RIT. • Former Fairport player Cole Bardreau was named American Hockey League Rookie of the Month in January. He produced six goals with six assists and was +11 in 11 games.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 62

Rochester Americans at NJPE President’s Day Tournament

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 67

(Iroquois Continued from Page 49)

Sam Rider from Spencer Hyrnczak.

Iroquois backstop.

Iroquois Game Notes

2/6/16 Iroquois 4 St. Joes White 4

Coming off a tough loss the night before against Lewport, Iroquois looked to focus on the positives takeaways and move forward. Playing against the always competitive St. Joes team the junior Chiefs did just that. St. Joes is a perennial power in whatever hockey league they compete in with 100’s of players trying out for one of their five school hockey teams.

Iroquois hockey program numbers, while not tenth of that of their opponent, refused to beat on this day. The 4-4 seesaw battle which saw three lead changes, Iroquois JV held a one goal lead late into the third period. Freshman defensemen Cole Miller lead the way playing big minutes down the stretch with many smart clearing attempts and heads up rushes out the Iroquois end.

Offensively, Josh Harris and Dylan Schiffhauer were formidable throughout the game with their aggressive style of play frustrating the Marauders. Providing some quality forward depth was Zack Murphy. In goal, Andrew Zelak of Alden, was precise and calm under pressure. St. Joe’s mounted waves of offensive rushes many of which were handled with ease by the

2/8/16 Iroquois 2 Kenmore West 2

In the final game of the season Iroquois took played the always accomplished Kenmore West squad. Coming off the outstanding tie two nights before the junior Iroquois looked to end their season on a high note and they did not disappoint. Playing a bend but don’t break style Iroquois JV never quit and battled back from two different one goal deficits. In what was their final JV game the sophomore leaders stepped up and delivered.

The top line of Spencer Hyrnczak, Sam Rider and Josh Harris all contributed in big ways as they have all year long.

On the blueline, Mike McGrath, Mike Mueller, Dylan Giancarlo and Cole Miller helped stymie the relentless Kenmore attack. Scoring the goals for Iroquois were Luke Pukalo and Sam Rider.

Finally, in goal Andrew Zelak, saved his best for last. His command of the goal area was apparent from the opening faceoff and continued throughout the evening. Zelak was the star of the game tonight making 34 saves many of which were difficult. With the final game complete the JV Chiefs finished the regular season with a 4-9-3 record.

2/5/16 Iroquois 1 Lewport 4

Coming into the final three games of the season Iroquois was looking to build momentum going into the playoffs. The 2/5/16 tilt against Lewport at Lockport’s Cornerstone Arena was the first test in the what was a busy weekend. While the outcome of the game was a 4-1 loss the score doesn’t tell the whole story. Getting his third start of the season was rookie netminder Tyler Pache. Pache thwarted many good rushing attacks by Lewport throughout the game in particular a terrific glove save late in the third period. Throughout the game Iroquois dominated the play with significant zone time and puck pressure which resulted in Iroquois outshooting Lewport 31-17. Occasionally, opposing teams have a hot goalie and that certainly was the case this game.

The chances to score existed but unfortunately were stifled. Coming off a scary injury with some great plays was defensewoman Alexis Missel. She was certainly missed along the back line. Offensively, while not on the scoresheet Bryce Yorke, Colton Czajka and Alden sophomore Eric Mattoon all play strong two way games. Scoring the lone goal was sophomore Captain

(Iroquois stories supplied by Iroquois Hockey)

NY HOCKEY ONLINE MAGAZINE accepts all stories, game results, tournament news and photographs from hockey organizations throughout New York State.

This is a dedicated NYS Ice Hockey magazine, with website updated daily.

www.nyhockeyonline.com

www.nyhockeyonline.com

West Hockey / Page 68

K

enmore/Grand Island Girls hockey coach, Jeff Or “She wantlowski, knew coming into this hockey season his ed it.” team had a big hole to fill in goal. All-World, or at Klopp adleast All-High School, Goalie Lauren Pray had graduated. mits that her Pray was the solid brick wall in goal for the Devildogs. journey to beBut now she was gone and there was really nobody on the coming starthorizon to replace her. ing goalie on Enter Cara Lynn Klopp. the Kenmore/ “I knew this situation was coming when Lauren gradu- Grand Island ated,” recalled Orlowski. “So I was trying to prepare. girl’s hockey “I really didn’t have a backup for Lauren for her last two years of play. But I also coached the girl’s field hockey team and we had a girl in goal there by the name of Cara Klopp, who was a real good goalie.

“I asked Cara if she would come out for the hockey team. She told me she had never played ice hockey before.” team wasn’t an easy one.

But Orlowski convinced “At the beginning of the Klopp to try and she did. year, it was a little rough,” “I remember that first day becommented Klopp, a senior. cause she (Klopp) was like Swiss “To get to the State’s there cheese in goal, letting in a lot of was a lot of pressure. goals,” continued Orlowski. “But I

“We are a great team. We

by Randy Schultz found out that she was a worker and deserved to be in the championRandy@nyhockeyonline.com didn’t give up. ship.

Photos by Janet Schultz “I have to give a lot of credit to

“I’m glad coach asked me my assistant coaches who spent the last a couple of years ago when he did. two years taking a lot of shots at her in pracI had never played goal in ice hockey betice. They really helped develop her as a hockey fore. goalie.

“But I told him I would try it. I’m glad I did.”

“Plus she played behind Lauren for two years. That Is there a difference between playing goal in field hockdidn’t hurt either. ey versus playing goal in ice hockey?

“And this year she helped us go all the way to the girls “It’s a lot different,” answered Klopp. “Especially conState Championship game. I really can’t say enough about sidering you’re on skates and on ice. her.

“I had skated before. But never played goal. “ After being a backup goalie and watching the Devildogs go to the New York State Girls Hockey Championships for two straight years, did Klopp ever image being in goal in the championship game?

“You really don’t think about it,” answered Klopp.

“But we had a hard working team this year.

“We struggled in the beginning, but we made it here (Albany, site of the Championships). I was proud to be a part of it.”

Klopp Filled the Net--Totally!

www.nyhockeyonline.com

Webster Cyclones at the 2016 Great Lakes Girls Hockey Tournament at Riverworks, Buffalo 2-28-16

West Hockey / Page 69