North Tonawanda was ready to show what it was capable of Monday night at HarborCenter. The Lumberjacks were up against Division 3’s St. Francis, and they knew they’d have to be at their best to turn around a 2-4 start in league play. “Going into a Division 3 opponent, we always expect a good level of play — much better, …
‘Played the best’: Orchard Park shuts out Canisius
Every game is a challenge for Orchard Park, but the first place Quakers aren’t intimidated; in fact, they embrace that challenge. From goaltender Tom Held, who’s at his best when the games are toughest; to defensemen Ryan Riter and Eric Lyon, who rarely leave the ice; to the forwards who fight for every goal they score, Orchard Park hasn’t just …
‘We just got the dub’: Lew-Port takes Cataract Hockey Classic championship
A win over North Tonawanda Thursday night (Dec. 29) sent Lewiston-Porter to Friday night’s championship game against host Niagara Falls in the Cataract Hockey Classic. The crowds were ready, the rivalry was there, and the Lancers were hungry for a championship win. Michael Stack started off the scoring 10:09 into the first period, and his cousin Mat Carden scored two …
Sousanidis, Schmidt come through for St. Francis in win
Nick Sousanidis was due for a start in net, and Ian Schmidt was due for a big game. Both Sousanidis, the senior goalie, and Schmidt, the junior forward, followed through on Saturday afternoon as the Red Raiders defeated Williamsville South, 5-3. Sousanidis made 26 saves on 29 shots in his first Fed start, and Schmidt scored two goals and assisted …
‘Neu’ stick, quick start key for Williamsville East in win over Hamburg
The key for newcomer Spencer Neu was a broken stick. The Williamsville East junior broke the stick he’d been using for years and was forced to use his backup for the Flames’ games Thursday night against Timon and Saturday afternoon against Hamburg. Neu scored in both games for his first two Fed goals, and he credited the new stick. “I …
‘Part of who I am’: Gademske’s love for lacrosse leads to college commitment
Matt Gademske was at his cousin’s house one day when he discovered a couple lacrosse sticks in a bin full of sports equipment in the garage. The 8-year-old had no prior experience with the sport, but he took the sticks with him and never looked back. “I just picked them up one day and I went out front,” Gademske explained. …
‘It’s my life’: German exchange student achieves goal of playing hockey in America
In Germany, soccer is mandatory. But with a hockey rink next to his house and a few German NHL players from his hometown of Memmingen, which is near Munich and the Alps, Dominikus Milz has devoted his time and energy to hockey since he was 6 years old. “I never played soccer for a club, but in Germany it’s kind …
Strong finish gives Sweet Home win over NT
Sweet Home hasn’t started its season the way many expected, and Thursday night’s game didn’t start out as strong as the Panthers would have liked, either. Fortunately for the Panthers, they played stronger at the end of Thursday’s game. Junior defenseman Pat Derisley had three points and freshman Ryan Corrigan scored his first Fed goal as Sweet Home defeated North …
‘Just needed to get the two points’: WSW defeats rival Will South
For some of West Seneca West’s roster, there was some extra motivation to beat Williamsville South on Thursday night. Others hadn’t experienced last season’s emotional playoff loss to the Billies, and as WSW coach Kevin Rozo reminded his team, “We’re a different team this year; they’re a different team this year. We just needed to get the two points.” Kyle …
A big point: Hamburg ties Clarence with late comeback
A tie is a tricky thing. Each team thinks about what it could have done differently, what more it could have given on the ice. But Hamburg coach John McFall and his Bulldogs were in high spirits after a 2-2 tie with Clarence Monday night. They were proud of a third period comeback that gave them the tie and a …