Earlier tonight, Orchard Park faced off against Williamsville North for a highly anticipated Section 6 Championship game. Both teams were supported by highly populated student sections, and the stakes were high as the seniors from both sides knew that this could be their last hockey game ever. The Spartans started off hot and never looked back en route to a 5-1 win and another section championship.
An unassisted goal by Mason Meggo just 41 seconds into the first was exactly what North needed. The Spartans found the back of the net for the second time in the first period thanks to Jacob Okulewicz. With the momentum slowly increasing on the Williamsville North side, the scoring spree didn’t stop there. Shortly after, a goal from Mac Ward with just under 5 minutes left in the first gave Will North a commanding 3-0 lead. Will North took the lead and full control of the game into the first intermission.
Orchard Park adjusted its defensive strategies to start the second, and Will North was unable to find the back of the net during the second period. Both sides had good scoring opportunities, yet both sides were unsuccessful, keeping the score at 3-0 after two periods.
For the third period, the Quakers knew the situation they were in. They understood that they had to not only score, but score fast, and that’s what they did. Orchard Park junior Owen Hughes scored five minutes into the third, with assists from captains Bryson Miller and Aiden Jones. The ounce of momentum the Quakers had just had was quickly shut down. For the second time, Jacob Okulewicz scored to give Will North a 4-1 lead and crush any hope the Quakers had left.
But the Spartans weren’t done yet. With 3:25 left in the third, Matt Scott found the back of the net for the icing on the cake to finish for Will North. The Spartans went on to win the Section VI Championship, 5-1, and will play Ithaca for the first round of state playoffs. The game is set for March 7 at 1 p.m. at LECOM Haborcenter.