It’s no secret that Niagara Wheatfield had an inconsistent start to the 2015-16 season. For a team that finished last season as the Section VI champion, the Falcons were unaccustomed to this season’s difficulties and struggled to find answers. Slowly, the players bought into the systems set in place by the coaches and learned to play as a team. There …
Kenmore East wins OT battle over Frontier
Despite a record that includes just two wins and a tie to go along with 10 losses, Frontier had played possibly its best game of the season against Hamburg on Saturday. Kenmore East coach Kyle Pray was aware of that and knew to expect a battle from the Falcons on Sunday afternoon. “They’re a good hardworking team, and they tied …
A rivalry among friends: Hamburg and Frontier tie on Senior Day
Some of the Hamburg and Frontier players have played together since they began their hockey careers at age 4. Many are still teammates on travel teams, and before Saturday’s game, seniors from both teams were honored. But then it was time for each player to put friendships aside and instead use what he knew about his friends and travel teammates …
Speed vs. speed: Orchard Park bests Niagara Wheatfield
Orchard Park, a team that boasts of its own speed, was well aware of its opponent’s speed on Friday night as Niagara Wheatfield came to play at Leisure Rinks in a Division 1 match up. The Quakers’ game plan was to be ready for the Falcons’ speed, use their own speed, and do whatever they could to stop No. 16, …
Niagara Wheatfield builds confidence with win streak
Following the systems and focusing on their own game more than on what their opponent was doing led to a Niagara Wheatfield Falcons win on Thursday after a 10-day break. They’d been left with a sour taste in their mouths after losses to Hamburg and St. Joe’s just before the break. During those 10 days, Niagara Wheatfield coach Rick Wrazin …
Senior goalie gets first league start in win over Frontier; St. Joe’s looks ahead to Canisius contest
ZATKOS It was senior Tim Zatkos’ attitude and maturity that earned him a spot on the St. Joe’s Fed roster this season, and Zatkos carried that same attitude and maturity into his first league start on Saturday against Frontier. With sophomore Danny Mikolajczak established as the starting goaltender, St. Joe’s coach Rich Crozier needed someone who could not just back …
A systematic win: Niagara Wheatfield defeats Timon
Follow the systems. Cycle the puck. Listen to the coach. Niagara Wheatfield implemented these simple practices in Thursday’s game against Timon, and the result was a 4-3 win for the Falcons. Two of those Timon goals came when the Falcons strayed away from following the defensive systems that had worked for them all game long, but they came back strong. …
Goodspeed’s hat trick leads Timon sweep of Frontier
When Timon and Frontier faced off on Sunday night at HarborCenter, the game featured 18 total penalties and a 3-2 Timon win. If either team finished Sunday’s game feeling like it had unfinished business, it didn’t have to wait long for a rematch. On Monday afternoon, Frontier hosted Timon at the Hamburg Nike Air Base Arena, and just a little …
‘David against Goliath’: Hamburg fights for win over Niagara Wheatfield
Hamburg came into the season as the underdog of underdogs. The realignment of the divisions matched the small school against large schools this season. On Sunday night, Hamburg didn’t have a league win yet when the schedule pitted the Bulldogs against Niagara Wheatfield, last year’s large school Section VI champion. The Bulldogs could have looked at Sunday’s game as another …
Lancaster begins streak with 9-1 win over Frontier
Lancaster had been waiting for its offense to wake up and the wins to come. Through the first five league games of the season, the Legends had just one win. On Saturday, they squeaked out a 1-0 win over Clarence. And on Sunday, Lancaster’s offense really came to life against Frontier: the Legends began a winning streak with a 9-1 …