He’s a senior, but this season is Maxwell McArthur’s first season on the Fed team at St. Joe’s. And tonight, in his first game, he made it one to remember with a hat trick en route to a 5-2 Marauders win. But St. Joe’s got off to a slow start in the season opener against Lancaster, as the Legends scored …
St. Joe’s fueled by hard work and passion
Some would see last season as a failure for the simple fact that St. Joe’s lost to Canisius in the Catholic Schools Section VI championship game after being ranked higher all season. The Marauders felt that they were the better team; Canisius, on the other hand, went on to win states. St. Joe’s coach Rich Crozier was still struggling with …
Grand Island rebuilding with young skill
Here’s some context to Grand Island’s 5-1 loss to Williamsville East in the small school semifinals last season: it was the first time in the history of the varsity program that the Vikings had ever reached a semifinal, and Williamsville East went on to finish as the state runner-up. “I thought the season last year went pretty well,” said junior …
Orchard Park aims to overwhelm with speed
You might not expect it with a name like “Quakers,” but Orchard Park is one of the most aggressive teams around. Speed is something the team works hard at, and it was evident on Friday morning as the Quakers scrimmaged Kenmore East and Kenmore West and surprised the two teams with their speed. “It’s an aggressive style from the standpoint …
Young but unafraid: West Seneca East looking to surprise
They’re undeniably young and inexperienced, and without last year’s leadership from the 14 seniors who graduated, the West Seneca East Trojans will have to learn fast this season. Even the remaining players will have a dramatically increased role from last year, but they’ll do their best to follow in the steps of last year’s senior leaders, such as Brian Wasilewski. …
North Tonawanda eager to go further this season
North Tonawanda’s 2014-15 season ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 4-3 double overtime loss to Hamburg in the small school quarterfinals. The long offseason is finally coming to an end, and the Lumberjacks are eager to get back on the ice and show what they can do this season. “This year we’re gonna come back harder and stronger,” said defenseman …
Fan vote: preseason All-Fed team
I’ve put together a preseason All-Fed team decided by YOU! You sent me your nominations for top six forwards, top four defensemen, and top three goalies in the Fed, and I’ve put together a First Team and Second Team each consisting of three forwards, two defensemen, and two goalies. First Team Forwards: Mike Steffan (11 votes), AJ Marinelli …
A family approach: Canisius focused on team goal
Last season, the Canisius Crusaders were a family. And it was that attitude that led the team all the way to a state championship win. It started when Sam Belsito took over as head coach of the Crusaders, and it wasn’t a smooth beginning. “I was the third coach in the last four years for those guys,” Belsito explained. “So …
West Seneca West confident that chemistry and tempo will take team far
Despite a high-scoring offense that featured Adam Tobias and Zak Klinko, West Seneca West finished just 6-8-2 last season. The Indians won their first playoff game but lost in the quarterfinals to Kenmore East. “We expected more,” Klinko said. “We had a kind of rough start to the season and kind of came through as a team later on, and …
Work hard and end with a win: Niagara Wheatfield’s recipe for success
Last season was nothing to be ashamed of for Niagara Wheatfield, as they won the Section VI final and lost to McQuaid, the eventual state champion, in the regional playoff game. But of course, the Falcons wanted more. “It didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” said forward Alex Bauer, who is in his fourth year with the varsity …