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March 11, 2025

By Warren Kozireski —

As with most trades in the National Hockey League that involve draft picks, it can take years to judge which team got the better of a particular transaction. So, Buffalo fans will need to be patient to see the return on their dealing of Jack Eichel to Vegas because the first-round draft choice they received as part of the package was Noah Ostlund, who is just starting his professional career this season in Rochester.

And he got off to a slower start than anyone wanted with just one goal over his first six games. Then came surgery on a hand injury that cost him 21 games and six more scoreless games upon his return to the lineup Dec. 20.

But since then, Ostlund has shown why Buffalo thought so highly of him that they made him the 16^th overall pick in the first round in 2022. He has scored points in seven of the next 11 games including his first three-point effort Jan. 25 at Hartford and a two-point game on the first of February.

“Feeling better the last couple of weeks,” Ostlund said. “(Missing 21 games) was tough both mentally and physically too, but now I hoping to take advantage. I gained five or six pounds I think, so that was good for me.

“Our power play has been putting up some points (and) that’s been helping me as an offensive player that plays a lot there and the puck has been bouncing my way. Sometimes it bounces in and sometimes it doesn’t.

“I tend to be a two-way player so I like to both special teams; it’s fun to be out there to kill plays for the other team as well.”

“I’ve been telling you guys he’s the real deal.” Rochester head coach Michael Leone said. “He is everything you want as a coach. Every situation you can’t say enough good things about him. How hard he works behind the scenes downstairs (weight room), he’s a quiet worker.

“Noah gives you physicality in a different way, taking hits to make plays. He’s responsible, plays the game the right way, he’s always above the puck, he makes players around him better…and he’s a great puck distributor in transition. And I just appreciate as a coach his play away from the puck.

“He’s going to play hockey for a long time and he’s going to get even better.”

Ostlund, who turns 21 years old in March, spent most of his development years with Djurgarden in Sweden until last season when he was loaned to Laxgo. He sent a message with his play at the 2024 U-20 World Junior championships when he registered ten points in seven games against his peer group as assistant captain of Team Sweden.

He has been tagged as primarily a passer pre and post-draft with his vision of what’s happening on the ice a primary asset.

“I’ve always had very good IQ out there. I’ve been playing a lot of hockey growing up like small-ice games and watched a lot of hockey too and I just try to play to my instinct and not think too much out there, play mt game and use that as my strength.”

Most game days at the end of warmups, Ostlund finds a fan that he will flip a puck to, his way of giving back.

“If I see some kid who really wants a puck, I try to give them one; it’s not as hard for us and it means a lot to the kid. Back home (the fans) aren’t as close to the ice, but here it’s easier.”

Maturity and awareness beyond his years of experience both on and off the ice.

Photo by Rochester Americans)

Williamsville East Makes Final Four

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March 9, 2025

By Warren Kozireski —

To win the Division II New York high school hockey regional and advance to the Final Four next weekend at Buffalo’s Harborcenter.

The two teams traded goals on the first two shifts of the game as Victor senior Simon Kowal, fresh of a hat trick in the Section V championship victory, scored with a backhander on the first shift 29 seconds into the contest.

Williamsville East, coming off their first Sectional title in a decade, tied the game 1-1 on the next shift as senior Nathan Sucher pounced on a loose puck and scored with assists from classmates Braden Sims and Jake Pullen at 1:52. Victor also killed off a five-minute boarding major penalty in the period.

“I don’t think my line has allowed a goal all playoffs so to get one scored on us 30 seconds into the game was a little unfortunate…but we settled in nicely I think…and we played our game eventually and I think it was nerves in a big game like this,” senior forward Gavin Ward said.

The Flames netted the only goal of the second period as Ward banged in the rebound from a Brody McDonell shot at 8:21.

And they gave themselves a two-goal lead just 1:20 into the third as junior Domenic Stachura found McDonell in the slot.

But Victor pulled to within a goal at 3:28 of the third as Kowal netted his second of the game with assists from Caleb Clark and John Abbott.

With the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker in the final two minutes of regulation, Ward was able to find the empty net from his own end at 15:19 to ice the game.

“Those kids played their butts off today,” Williamsville East head coach Mike Torillo said. “The first shift was the worst shift of the night, they got an earful and after that they played good hockey and didn’t up another goal until the third.

“We weathered a couple storms there is no doubt, but out guys answered the call. We played good defense today and Jake (senior goaltender Sexton) made the saves when he had to.”

The Flames will play the winner of Franklin Academy of Section X and two-time defending Division II state champion Skaneateles at 9am Saturday.

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

West Genesee Advances

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March 9, 2025

By Warren Kozireski —

Section III four-time defending champion West Genesee overcame three one-goal deficits by scoring four of the last five goals of the game to defeat Section VI titlist Orchard Park 6-4 in the regional round of the New York high school hockey playoffs.

Orchard Park opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period as senior forward Jack Ciano converted a feed from classmate Justin Relosky at 14:34.

West Genesee tied the game on the power play in the second period as freshman Matthew Schneid banged home a lose puck at the side of the cage at 2:33 after Jacob Pensabene’s shot from the point hit the crossbar.

The Quakers retook the lead at 8:53 of the second when Ciano shot the puck over the left shoulder of the goaltender. But the Wildcats rebounded again on the power play as sophomore Nick Meluni redirected a shot from Carson Berg at 12:53 to tie the game 2-2.

35 second later, Orchard Park jumped back in front on a Brady Ciano goal but, 59 second later, the Wildcats responded as senior Christian Ball scored on his backhand converting a two-on-one break to tie the game 3-3.

West Genesee took their first lead of the game on the first shift of the third period as senior Jonah Vormwald scored with an assist from Ball. They made it 5-3 at 2:47 when Ball converted a two-on-one break one-timing a pass from Vormwald.

“We’re a defense-first team and it led to some transition goals late in the game,” Vormwald said. “We knew they were going to come out hard; they’re a fast team good in transition.”

Orchard Park senior Tyler Buchheit scored at 8:42 to close to within one, but West Genesee’s Meluni raced down the left wing and got the puck just under the crossbar at 13:48.

Orchard Park pulled their goaltender and went on the3 power play for the final 1:58 of the game but could not convert.

“We were just hoping to be in the game in the third period and fortunately we were,” West Genesee 31-year head coach Frank Colabufo said. “We’re happy to be coming back next weekend.

“There’s a lot of grit in that locker room, there’s a lot of character kids in there and I knew they weren’t going to quit, but I wasn’t sure that we were going to be able to break through. However they did it, they did it and we’re gong to be coming back in a week.”

West Genesee now advances to the Final Four for the 11^th time in program history back at Buffalo’s Harborcenter next weekend trying to win their fifth New York State championship.

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

Hobart Three-Peat?

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March 7, 2025

By Warren Kozireski —

The Hobart Statesmen are trying to become just the fourth program in Division III history to win three consecutive national championships after they won the first two in school history in 2023 and 2024.

Picked in the preseason poll as #1 in the nation, all they have done since is remain atop that USCHO poll all season with just one loss and one tie.

The loss came after running out to a 17-0-0 record to Albertus Magnus in overtime on Jan. 31. The tie was in the final game of the regular season 0-0 at Babson.

“They know what they’re trying to prove; the goal is to constantly get better,” head coach Mark Taylor said after their first-round playoff victory over Albertus Magnus. “We have a strong tradition here of alums that are behind us and for us and guys take a lot of pride in trying to raise the banner a notch higher. That’s how we do it.

“We also trust the process and really respect the game of hockey. The name of the game is you have to bring it every single night no matter who you’re playing and whatever the score is.”

Hobart unsurprisingly dominated the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) winning their fourth consecutive regular season title and almost swept the postseason awards with Player of the Year Tanner Daniels, Goaltender of the Year Damon Beaver and now four-time Coach of the Year Mark Taylor as well as taking up four of the six slots on the All-Conference First Team.

Daniels led the league in points with 13 goals and 15 assists in league play. His 13 goals ranked first in the league while his 15 assists ranked tied for third in NEHC action. Only four of his 13 tallies were powerplay goals. Daniels also led the league with an impressive +26 plus/minus rating.

Beaver finished with a 9-1-0 record and led the league in save percentage (.948). Overall, the junior netminder led all Division III goaltenders with a .955 save percentage and finished second nationally in goals against average (1.08). Beaver finished the regular season with a 12-1-0 record and six shutouts, helping lead the Statesmen to the best scoring defense in the nation. He is tied for fourth in NCAA history with 19 career shutouts.

Besides Daniels and Beaver, senior forward Luke Aquaro and graduate student defenseman Austin Mourar were First Team selections, senior defenseman Cooper Swift was put on the Second Team while senior forward Shane Shell and sophomore defenseman Bauer Morrissey (Skaneateles) and Conor Lally were Third Team picks.

Add that the playoff victory March 1 marked the Statemen’s 50 consecutive victory at The Cooler in Geneva.

“I love the fans here. We don’t have 8,000 people here, but we have people here when it’s pretty cold and people here when it was freezing in here when it had no sides on it. They take care of us and we want to care of them. 50 means a lot because they were here in the fourth overtime when the students were on break. The 50 is for them.”

Hobart defeated Adrian in overtime to win the 2023 national championship and shut out Trinity in 2024. No matter what happens this coming weekend in the NEHC semi-finals and finals, they will receive a bid to the NCAA tournament trying to join Wisconsin-Stevens Pont (1989, 1990, 1991) and Middlebury twice (1995-99, 5 years and 2004, 2004, 2006) to win three consecutive titles.

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

Pollard’s Propel Panthers To Section V Title

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March 5, 2025

By Warren Kozireski —

Twins Adam and David Bullard each scored twice to lead third-seed Pittsford to a 4-1 victory over fourth-seed Portside to win their third Section V hockey championship over the past five years.

After a scoreless first period, Adam Pollard scored on a rebound from his own shot at 6:32 to put the Panthers ahead 1-0.

“It was great to be able to be the one that put in front; we’ve just been working really hard and it paid off,” Adam Pollard said.

The coaching staff paired the brothers on the same line about midway through the season. “We have a lot of chemistry together and are able to put up a lot of offensive pressure (and) a lot of points; it became a great line.”

After a disallowed goal due to a high stick one minute later, Portside tied the game as senior Justin Pastorella redirected a shot from classmate Landen Christ at 11:03.

But Pittsford broke the game open in the third period as David Pollard scored 3:14 in with an assist from his brother followed by a Ryan Schmalstitch rebound goal at 11:10 and an empty-net tally by senior defenseman Drew Ricketts with one minute remaining to seal the victory.

“He (Adam) just passed it to me and I was going in wide and saw an opportunity for a shot and it went in,” David Pollard said about his goal. “Any shot is a good shot in a championship game and anything can happen so I just want to put pucks on net and see what happens.”

“We had our ups and downs, they’re adjusting to me and I’m adjusting to them,” first year head coach Rory Foster said about the season. “I’m just happy for them that we have the opportunity to keep playing as a team and as a unit and it’s really just exciting to see them succeed.”

Pittsford advances to the state tournament and will play Section IV representative Ithaca Saturday at 4pm at Broome Community College.

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

Victor Win’s Division II, Section V Hockey Championship

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March 5, 2025

By Warren Kozireski —

Senior Simon Kowal scored a second period hat trick to help Victor open up a 6-2 lead on their way to a 6-3 victory marking their first since 2022 and first since dropping back to Class B since 2016.

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead as senior Nathan Romeis banged in the rebound of a Kowal shot from the left circle at 7:10. Then it was senior Caleb Clark also scoring a rebound goal off of senior defenseman Ian Kloiber’s point shot at 12:09.

In a wild second period, Batavia United cut the lead to one at 4:05 as senior Jameson Motyka’s shot from the blueline bounced off the end boards and off the goaltender and in.

On the next shift Kowal scored his first of the game on a give-and-go with Clark, but Batavia again clawed back on their next shift as Liam Berger got behind the defense and backhanded the puck in at 5:14 to again cut the lead to 3-2.

But Kowal scored two goals less than two minutes apart before the period was over making it 6-2 Blue Devils. Batavia’s Motyka scored the only goal of the third period.

“It feels unbelievable; it’s a dream of mine playing here at Polisseni,” Kowal said. “I had the opportunity to do that freshman and sophomore year…and to score a hat trick just lights me up even thinking about it.

“Definitely had some butterflies before the game and I knew this wasn’t going to be my last time putting on this jersey.”

“I’m so proud of these kids; these 12 seniors have been on an absolute journey, trusted the process the entire season,” Victor head coach Mike Ferreri said. “They played a complete game tonight.”

Victor entered the postseason on a five-game losing streak but are getting hot at the right time. They qualify for the state tournament and will play Section VI champion Williamsville East Saturday at 3pm at Harborcenter in Buffalo.

(Photo by Koz, NY Hockey OnLine)

Orchard Park Clinches Fourth Consecutive Section VI Title

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March 2, 2025

Photos and Story by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

Lancaster opened the scoring in the 25th Super Sunday Section VI DII Championship Friday night. Tony Grimm scored, assisted by Max Hochulski with seven minutes left in the first period. Orchard Park answered that goal with four more to close out the first period 4-1.

Scoring for OP were Gavin Reashor, assisted by Sean Robertson and Alexander Saeli; Cameron McCarthy, assisted by Barret Anstett on the powerplay; Brennan O’Hara, unassisted and with 1:53 left Reashor, assisted by Saeli and Robertson dropped in the last puck of the first period.

Justin Relosky, assisted by McCarthy opened the scoring in the second period with 6:50 left. Just 12 seconds later Robertson added one, assisted by Cole Purrenhage. Lancaster switched Goaltender Dylan Gerth for Austin Williams. That didn’t stop Orchard Park as Purrenhage dropped one in assisted by Brady Ciano. Lancaster came back with two goals in the last 54 seconds of the game. Cooper Dee, assisted by Joey Wisniewski and Parker Serio scored with 54.5 seconds left and Carter Mendzyk added another with 3.1seconds left, assisted by Wisniewski. Second period ends 7-3 in favor of Orchard Park.

Anstett scored an empty netter with 1:59 left of the third period, unassisted.

Orchard Park takes their fourth consecutive Section VI Championship 8-3.

Goaltender Gerth faced 20 shots, saving 14 in 28 minutes of play for Lancaster and Austin Williams stopped 13 of 15 for Lancaster in 21 minutes.

For Orchard Park Matthew Schwarzott received the Miguel Rodriguez Outstanding Goaltender of the Game. He stopped 16 of 19 shots on goal.

(Photo gallery by Janet Schultz; all rights owned by NYHOL. Permission to copy or use can be obtained by emailing [email protected])

St. Joes Takes 2025 Monsignor Martin Championship

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March 2, 2025

IMG_6103StJoesTEam*** copy — St. Joes 2024-25 Champions, MMHSAA

Photos and Story by Janet Schultz

After a scoreless first period in the 25th Annual Super Sunday Championships, St. Francis Brady Rakoski scored the first goal with just over 4 minutes left in the second period, assisted by Liam Fattey. That ended the second period.

Third period opened with another St. Francis goal by Fattey, unassisted. Then it was all St. Joes with Niko Mackiewicz scoring St. Joe’s first goal on the power play, assisted by Nicolas Rivet and James VanEgmond. Charlie Myszka added another, assisted by Zachery Sullivan and Rivet. The final goal of the day came when Mackiewicz scored another assisted by Anderson Cornwell and Liam Woeppel.

St. Francis Goalie Gabriel Waterman stopped 35 of 38 shots-on-goal and St. Joe’s Matteo Mancini stopped 17/19 for the 3-2 St. Joe’s victory.

Waterman received the Miguel Rodriguez Outstanding Goaltender of the Game award and Mackieweicz was named MVP Player of the Game by the MMHSAA.

(Photo gallery by Janet Schultz; all rights owned by NYHOL. Permission to copy or use can be obtained by emailing [email protected])

PWHL Takeover Tour in Buffalo

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February 28, 2025

Photos and Story by Janet Schultz©, NYHOL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League made it’s first appearance in Buffalo bringing it’s “Takeover Tour” with the Boston Fleet and New York Sirens competing in Key Bank Center Arena last week.

The game provided fans with a lot of action, physicality and an overtime with shootout; everything a hockey fan could ask for. Susanna Tapani scored the shootout winner for Boston, extending their winning streak to four games and the New York Sirens to a seven-game losing streak.

New York’s Sarah Fillier scored in the first period to put the Sirens up 1-0. Just a little over four minutes later the Fleet responded with a goal from Loren Gabel. With a minute left New York’s Jessie Eldridge scored and ended the first 2-1 in favor of New York.

Boston tied the game at 2-2 late in the second period with a goal by Amanda Pelkey, her first this season.

After a scoreless third period and overtime, Tapani scored on Goalie Kayle Osborne to take the “W.” Boston beat New York 3-2. Attendance in Buffalo was 8,512.

Aerin Frankel made 37 saves on 39 shots to earn her tenth win this season and New York’s Osborne stopped 30 shots in the loss.

“She’s the best goalie in the world,” said Fleet Head Coach Courtney Kessel on Frankel. “Countless times she’s kept us in games, kept us rolling through playoffs last year and facing so many shots.

“She’s just so stead, never too high, never too low.”

“We were a hard team to play against today,” said Sirens Head Coach Greg Fargo. “I think there’s more examples tonight of some things we can continue to build on.

“Moving forward, starting with our effort from start to finish, we won’t hang our heads on this one.

The three stars of the game were Aerin Frankel (BOS); Susanne Tapani (BOS) and Jessie Eldridge (NY).

The Takeover Tour game wasn’t just about the game. It was about promoting the sport of ice hockey for women. Family and friends of players came out to cheer on their favorite player and girl’s youth teams were in attendance to witness ice hockey at the professional level. This was the first professional women’s hockey game played since the PHF (formerly NWHL) Buffalo Beauts called Buffalo their home with the final in March, 2023.

Thirteen players on the Boston and New York rosters developed in NCAA programs in New York State including Clarkson’s Loren Gabel, Jamie Lee Rattray and Ella Shelton, Colgate’s Sydney Bard, Jessie Eldridge, Kayle Osborne, Allyson Simpson and Olivia Zafuto, Cornell’s Jaime Bourbronnais, Jill Saulnier and Michal Zandee-Hart, St. Lawrence’s Kayla Vespa and Syacuse’s Jessica DiGirolamo.

In addition to Zafuto and Bard, Aerin Frankel is a native of Chappaqua and Abigail Levy is from Congers.

In some notables following this game:

The Fleet have won both of their “Takeover Tour” games this season with a shootout. New York has lost seven consecutive games, but ended their five-game streak of regulation losses.

Frankel recorded her league-leading tenth win of the season and her 39 saves are just one off her season-high of 40, recorded against Toronto in the Fleet’s first game of the season.

Sarah Fillier tallied her sixth goal of the season moving her into sole possession of second place in league scoring with 19 points.

Tapani scored her second shootout goal of the season.

Hannah Brandt played in the professional women’s hockey game that took place in Key Bank Center on December 29, 2018.

Photo Gallery by Janet Schultz© Use of these photos without permission is prohibited. Contact [email protected]

Adirondack United Take Second State Title!

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February 26, 2025

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Story and Photos by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Girls Varsity State Championship is in the books with Adirondack United taking the title for the second consecutive year.

Four teams took to the ice at the Utica University Nexus Arena this past weekend (Feb. 21/22) to vie for the title. In addition to ADK representing Section 2; it was Skaneateles, Section III; Frontier/Franklinville/LakeShore/Orchard Park (FFLOP), Section VI and Beekmantown, Section VII.

In the Semi-finals it was FFLOP vs Skaneateles with the Skaneateles Lakers opening the scoring in the last 5 minutes of the first period. Layla Smith scored to end the period 1-0 Skaneateles.

Just seconds into the second period Smith scored again and the second period remained 2-0 Lakers until the whistle.

FFLOP’s Peyton Forcucci scored at 12:56 of the third to put Section VI on the boards. Skaneateles’ Makayla Barron, assisted by Elizabeth Schneid closed the period with the final goal of the night and Skaneateles takes FFLOP 3-1 and moves to the Championship game.

Rachael Fix of FFLOP faced 40 shots on goal and Skaneateles’ Brooke Coffey stopped 24 of 25 SOG.

FFLOP’s Maya Griffin and Skaneateles’ Barron were presented with the Sportsmanship Award for the game.

Photo Gallery: Semi Final Game 1, FFLOP vs Skaneateles. (Photos property of NYHOL, Janet Schultz Photographer© To receive permission to copy, use or purchase email [email protected]

In the second semi-final matchup, Adirondack took on Beekmantown. In a fast paced game, the first period ended at 0-0, as did the second period.

It was looking like an overtime was coming with no one scoring until 30.3 seconds left in the third Lillian Willis gets one off and scores the first goal of the game and secured a win for the United. ADK moves on to face Skaneateles in the Championship game.

ADK’s goalie Aurora Graham-Hayes faced 27 SOG and the Eagles Bailey Barnett faced 30.

Beekmantown’s Avery Parker and Adirondack’s Alyssa Temple received the Sportsmanship Award for the game.

Photo Gallery: Semi-Final Game#2: Beekmantown vs Adirondack United

Skaneateles and Adirondack faced off at Noon with Cora Major opening the scoring for Skaneateles at 5:25 of the first period. That goal would remain throughout the first period and Skaneateles has the 1-0 lead at the whistle.

The second period was fast paced up and down the ice but no score until Adirondack’s Aubrey Lozier scored, unassisted, with 3 minutes left in the period to tie it. But wait, just a minute later United’s Kady Duffy scores and the United end the period 2-1.

It seemed that was the end but with just 44.2 seconds left in the third period, United’s Gianna Marcantonio scores and empty-netter and Adirondack is the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girl’s Varsity Ice Hockey Champion.

SOG: ADK, 25; Skaneateles, 39.

Adirondack United is made up of six schools in the Section 2 region including Corinth, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, Saratoga Springs and South Glens Falls. Skaneateles is made up of schools in the Skaneateles School District including Waterman Primary, Skaneateles High School and State Street Intermediate School.

Beekmantown’s team is comprised of players from West Chazy, Beekmantown Elementary, Beekmantown Middle School and High School.

FFLOP’s teams include players from Fronter, Franklinville, Orchard Park and LakeShore school districts.

In order to make it to the States, these teams had playoffs against the other sections in New York State. Adirondack (Section 2) played the North Avalanche (Section 1); FFLOP (VI) vs Webster (V); Ithaca (IV) played Skaneateles (III) and Potsdam (X) played Beekmantown (VII).

Championship Photo Gallery

All photographs property of Janet Schultz, Photographer© and NYHOL Magazine. Permission to use, copy, print must be obtained by contacting [email protected]

Pearl River’s McLinskey Continuing Family Hockey Success

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February 26, 2025

By Warren Kozireski —

Holy Cross assistant captain Liam McLinskey is in familiar territory atop the Crusaders and American Hockey Association scoring chart just like last year with 18 goals and 35 points through his first 31 games this season.

His father played soccer at West Point and his brother is a baseball player with Notre Dame right now. But he and a handful of his cousins, New York Rangers draft pick Drew Fortescue, C.J. McGee, who is currently playing in the ECHL after winning a national championship with Quinnipiac, William Fortescue, playing club hockey at the University of Tampa and 18-year old Jack Fortescue with the Jersey Hitmen, decided hockey was their path.

“My uncles growing up were all hockey players and my mom’s sisters live pretty close, so we all grew up playing hockey together,” McLinskey said. “We always said it was my grandpa; he gave us the good genes.”

The 6’3”, 185 lb. right wing picked up his 100^th career point Feb. 2 against Canisius surpassing the milestone in just three seasons and is playing in all situations as his team vies with Sacred Heart for first place in the conference.

“Mainly just focusing on our team…we’re on a little bit of a streak right now, so taking it one game at a time, win a league championship and hopefully win the playoffs.”

McLinskey was a Hobey Baker top ten finalist last season and is a nominee again this year along with being one of 26 finalists for the Walter Brown Award, given to the best American-born Division I player in New England.

“It means everything; it’s a huge honor and there’s no words for it . I can’t thank my teammates and family enough.”

The soon-to-be 24-year-old (Feb. 20) spent many of his development years with Don Bosco Prep and the New Jersey Hitmen programs. His final season with the Hitmen, he exploded with 24 goals and 67 points over 44 regular season games and added three more points in four postseason contests.

“I went there (Jersey) when I was a bantam minor, trusted in the program and played high school close to it so I was able to do both. And got to play with my friends in high school hockey and club hockey, the best of both worlds. Trusted the process…and made a commitment out of it.”

Then it was off to Quinnipiac University as a 20-year-old freshman, where he played just two games before transferring to Holy Cross.

“It was mainly just that I needed an opportunity to play, came here and it worked out,” he said about his transfer.

Now the Economics major is winding down what is probably his final collegiate season. Though he will leave his name in the Crusaders record book, he is not sure what is next or what comes after hockey.

“Not too sure to be honest. Just trying to make it last as long as I can.”

(Photos by Holy Cross Athletics.Hockey)

FFLOP Heads to Utica for State Championship

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February 20, 2025

Frontier/Franklinville/LakeShore/Orchard Park (FFLOP) is heading back to the New York State Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Championships after defeating Webster 4-1 Wednesday (Feb. 19) evening. This will be FFLOPs fourth appearance at the States, winning the State Championship in 2017-18.

Typical for WNYGVIH Championships this season, the first period ended in a 0-0 tie. FFLOP’s Rachael Fix and Webster’s Mia Wambach kept the pucks at bay and the period scoreless.

First recorded statistic was a tripping penalty against Webster with 6 minutes left in the second period. However at 1:1 of the third period Jocelyn Smaczniak got one by Wambach and FFLOP goes up 1-0 as the whistle ends the second period.

Webster was not going to let go and became very physical in the third period with Molly Meyer dropping in the first goal for the Lakers just 40 seconds into the period. It took five more minutes before FFLOP’s Peyton Forcucci scored and then just 14 seconds later she dropped in another goal and took FFLOP to a 3-1 lead. With 6:48 left Gabby Sojda dropped in her own rebound and the period ends 4-1 FFLOP.

FFLOP now goes on to face Skaneateles at 4 p.m. in the semi-finals of the State Championship on Friday at the Utica Nexus Center. Adirondack and Beekmantown face off in the second semi-final at 6 p.m. Winners of those games advance to Saturday’s Championship at Noon.

Digital tickets are required and can be obtained by going to [email protected].

For copies or to obtain permission to use contact [email protected]

PWHL Take Over Tour Comes to Buffalo

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February 19, 2025