With the main Buffalo Sabres hockey team preparing for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Boston Bruins on the ice inside KeyBank Center, the is another team of the Sabres organization preparing for that first game both inside and outside the Arena.
For all playoff home game’s the Sabres will host a block party that begins three hours before the puck drops. There will be the pregame Party in the Plaza. There will also be a watch party at Canalside that opens two hours before the game. It is free and open to the public.
“These events will be held, rain or shine,” said Cara Murphy, vice-president of Sabres Marketing. “Fans will have to go through a check point at Canalside.
“There will be two huge screens set up for the fans to watch the game with.
She also pointed out that fans should wear rain gear if there is bad weather. But no umbrellas as they are not allowed.
“We will be also having watch parties for select away games as well that will be held at our partner, Seneca Resorts and Casinos,” continued Murphy. “Times will be announced at a later date.”
With all of that going on outside, there are items available inside the arena.
“We will be giving away rally towels at each home game,” stated Murphy. “There will be a different towel for each game and each towel will feature a unique slogan. They will be placed on each seat in the arena before each game starts.
“There will also be other items that can be purchased in our Sabres store or on-line.”
There will be a variety of shirts, pucks and pins that fans can purchase that are all designed for the playoffs.
“We just want the fans to have a memorable time at the playoffs and to enjoy themselves,” concluded Murphy.
The Buffalo Sabres are headed to the Playoffs for the first time in 14 years. A total celebration is planned for the fans, including some new food items created by Executive Team Chef Michael “Mike” Haefner. Chef Mike and his team debuted these items to the media Thursday afternoon, and to our delight!
Playoff only Items will be available to the fans at the 100 and 300 levels include with some speciality items available only at the 200 level and in the Suites.
Lets Do Buffalo Wings and Pizza Logs served in a souvenir Sabres Ice Rink Tray, includes 10 Buffalo-style chicken wings, 8 pizza logs, blue cheese, marinara and celery sticks. Will be served at the 100 and 300 level Blue Line Fryer.
Return of the Dominator is four burger patties, brisket, bacon house-made boom-boom sauce, jalapeno peppers, American cheese, achi BBQ sauce served between two pepperjack grilled cheese sandwiches. Get it at the 100 level Grill Stand.
Buffalo Sabres are a Wagon features chicken tenders and french fries served in a Sabres wagon at the Coca Cola stands on the 100 and 300 level.
Sabres Steakhouse Stack is a 6 oz beef filet, shoestring fries, raclette cheese (which will be melted right there) caramalized onion aioli on a Sabres-branded brioche bun. Available at the 100 level Coca Cola Stand.
Pretzel Bites. While they will serve the salted soft bites there is a new addition. The Cinnamon-Sugar with cream cheese served in a Sabres Helmet. Available at Power Play Pretzel.
La Nova Stinger Pizza: chicken fingers, top round steak, hot sauce and blue cheese dressing. Available at all La Nova locations.
Hot Dog of the Game: Poutine Dog. Hot dog, brisket, bacon, French fries and cheddar cheese curds available at the 100 and 300 level Top Dog.
The Tommer Bomber is a house-made meatball, melted mozzarella feast on garlic bread with potato chips served in a Sabres Wagon box. Available at LaNova stand near Section 116.
2-Foot Steak and Cheese Nachos. Tortilla chips covered in sliced beef, white queso, lettuce, tomato, onion and zesty aioli. Available at Party Nacho.
Timmy Shake is a tribute to former Sabre Tim Horton featuring Perry’s vanilla ice cream with birthday cake Tim Bits crushed in it and a few served as a garnish. This will be available at the Let’s Dough Buffalo stands.
Sponge Candy Crunch Fried Dough gives fried dough kick up with hot fudge and caramel topped with crushed sponge candy. Available at Let’s Dough Buffalo stands.
Chicken Wing Loaded Tots feature shredded Buffalo chicken, blue cheese crumble, celery, carrots on top of Tater Tots. Available at the Fryers Club Stand.
Elote Nachos are tortillas covered in queso, roasted corn, cotija cheese, lime crema, tajin cilantro and served at the Southtowns BBQ on the 200 level.
Juicy Lucy Burger is a 6 oz burger stuffed with American cheese, bread and butter pickles in a fancy sauce. Served at the Corner Market Stand.
Swedish Meatball Bomber is a hoagie roll filled with Swedish Meatballs, lingonberry compote and gravey. Served at Corner Market Stand. The meatball recipe is Chef Mike’s mothers.
Beef Au Poive On Weck is top round on a weck roll with peppercorn jus. This will be an Aud Club Carvery item on the 200 level.
Go for the Goal is an Egg Roll made with Carolina BBQ pulled pork and pickles.
Blue Gold Parfaits are lemon curd, blueberry compote with yellow cake served at all Grab and Go Markets.
Dubai Chocolate Pretzel Braid is a pretzel with chocolate fudge and pistachio cream.
Two items that will be served in the Suites only are the Chicken Wings with caviar and blue cheese creme fresh; and a Brazilian style steak house chicken served with sausage bean compote, rice, vegetables and cheese bread.
All these items are available only through the first round of the playoffs.
NYHOL’s review.
Many of the sandwiches looked so good but for me were too large so I stuck to smaller items and dessert. There were no overwhelming spices or heat on the items I had. To be all dishes were spiced just right. Many of the items are a meal in themselves and several items are really made for at least two people such as the Let’s Go Buffalo Wings and Pizza Logs and the large nacho servings.
My sampling of the Sponge Candy Crunch Fried Dough was very good but I could have used more spongecandy, not a criticism I just love my sponge candy.
The Dubai covered Pretzel was also delicious and I enjoyed it.
The Timmy Shake was amazing, but also rich so it will fill you up.
Go for the Goal Egg Roll was very tasty and for me it was a meal in itself.
It was exciting to see the Brazilian dish come right off of the spear and served with a very good sausage and bean compote, which I actually liked above the meat itself.
A new take on eating Buffalo Wings with the caviar was very good.
The Chicken Wing Loaded Tots were very large tots covered with a good amount of blue cheese crumble. I felt the heat level is about a medium.
At their beverage concessions there will be some brand new “collectibles” including wine glasses, a mason jar that will be used for frozen drinks, a new popcorn container, the Wagon and the Ice Rink Tray.
No, I don’t have the pricing on any of the food items.
Having three sisters playing on the same hockey team is not unusual in the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation (WNYGVIHF) these days. But when two of the sisters are twins that makes the situation just that much more interesting.
That is the situation that the Clarence/Amherst/Sweet Home, aka CASH, found themselves in this season with the three Bizub sisters. Cece is the oldest, a ninth grader. Her two younger sisters, twins, Penny and Addie, are in seventh grade.
And what a season it was for CASH. First they won the WNYGVIHF championship, finishing first in the Fed. Then they won the Section VI title, defeated Webster to win the Far West Regional before going on to the NYS Regional semi-finals.
So what are the sister’s thoughts about playing on the same team?
“It’s exciting and special to be playing with both of them,” answered Penny, a forward, who attends Amherst Middle School. “It’s nice being on the same line with Addie some times.
“It’s been a great experience.”
“I like it because they’re not afraid to tell me what I might be doing wrong,” added Addie, a forward, who also attends Amherst Middle School. “It’s great to have someone, especially your sisters, helping you out and cheering you on.”
Cece, being the eldest of the trio, sees things a bit differently.
“It’s really special because we’ve never played on the same team together until this year,” said Cece, who plays defense, attends Amherst Central High School. “Addie and I had played together before, but the three of us playing together hadn’t happened.
“I just think it’s pretty cool to have all three of us on the same team.”
Being the oldest, does Cece feel any special responsibility to the twins?
“I feel that I have to be more encouraging to the twins,” responded Cece. “We help each other out, especially with what we might be doing wrong or what we need to work on.
“It’s good, constructive criticism. I think the feedback I get from my sisters is feedback I can trust because it’s coming from family.”
How do the twins like having their older sister on the same team?
“I like it because I think I always have somebody always looking out for me,” commented Penny. “I know she’s already been through some of the things I’m just going through right now.”
“So I know I can always go to her,” added Addie. “She’s very helpful.
A former WNYGVIH player needs some help. Maddie Norton Sports Performance & Hockey Development is looking for groups that support our youth populations for a project. This is her ask:
“Facebook friends, I need help! I have been doing quite a bit of research but haven’t found exactly what I am looking for yet.. I am in search of local charities/organizations (Buffalo area) that support our youth populations. Specifically charities/organizations that deal with sports/recreation, education or food! If you know of some that are smaller in size that don’t receive a ton of support from big players, drop them in the comments. Looking for a few for some upcoming projects”
On May 17 Maddie will be running the Cleveland Marathon in support of Hasek’s Heros. She has chosen to turn her marathon into something bigger than just the finish line–to help create opportunities for kids in WNY to experience the game of hockey.
Kelsey Barrett, who played defense for the HEWS (Hamburg/Eden/West Seneca) girls high school hockey team, was named Girls High School Hockey Player of the Month by the Buffalo Sabres for the month of January.
To say she was surprised by the honor was an understatement.
“It was really cool and it means a lot to me,” said Barrett, a senior at Eden High School, who has been playing hockey since she was four years old. “It came as a shock to me, I never expected it.”
Barrett was one of four seniors this season playing for HEWS and the lone senior on defense.
HEWS finished the regular season with a record of 11-5-0-0 in the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation (WNYGVIHF).
In the playoffs HEWS defeated Williamsville, 8-3 in the quarterfinals before losing to LIDA (Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden), 2-1, in the semifinals.
Barrett finished the season with one goal and seven assists for eight points.
No exactly the way Barrett or her team wanted to end their season or her high school career. But she is already looking to the future.
“I’m going on to St. John Fisher University, and I will be playing lacrosse there,” commented Barrett, the daughter of Mike and Molly Barrett. Kelsey also has two sisters. “I’ll be majoring in Biology.
“I’m pretty excited about that and I’m looking forward to it.
Three simple words that have a very strong meaning, especially to Anna Maki. For the Depew High School senior these are words she lives by every day. And they are words that she is applying to the next chapter in her life.
Being a fireman. That’s right, a fireman.
That chapter was revealed on LIDA’s (Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden) girls high school hockey team’s senior night. Maki played defense on the team.
As LIDA head coach Kevin Miller read off Maki’s accomplishments as a player and what her future plans were, fireman popped up.
As her coaches on the hockey team explained, Maki may not light up the scoreboard, but she is the type of player you wanted on the team.
“She would do anything you wanted,” explained Miller. “She would play any position you needed her to play.
“Infact, the coaching staff considered her as an emergency backup goalie. And she would have done it.”
But a fireman?
“My whole life I’ve always loved helping people and doing what I can to help the community out,” explained Maki. “And I found out at the age of 14 you could become a junior fire fighter.
“My family is in it, so why don’t I try it out and see if it’s something I like. So I joined at 14 and eventually became president of the junior fire fighters when I was 16.
“I was president until I was 18. Now I’m a probationary fire fighter until I get all my training done to become an interior and exterior fire fighter.”
The rest of that training will come during the summer. And by the time she enters college this fall at Daemen University Maki will be a full-time college student and fire fighter.
Maki will be studying Sports Medicine in hopes of become an Athletic Trainer.
The Depew High School senior has been playing hockey since she was two.
“I’ve had the passion for hockey since I was two,” continued Maki, who, when not playing for LIDA played for the Bisons hockey organization. “I love this sport so much.
“I know I was listed on our roster as a forward for LIDA, but I switched to defense with the Bisons this year and then did the same with the high school team.
“But I would play wherever Coach Miller wanted me to play. I just want to help out.”
Addison Cherry, who plays defense for the Monsignor Martin girls high school hockey team, was named the Buffalo Sabres Girls High School Athlete of the month for December.
Cherry, a senior at Nardin Academy in Buffalo, received the award prior to a Buffalo Sabres home game in early January.
“I was really excited when I first found out,” stated Addison. “It caught me a little off-guard.
“But it’s always nice to be recognized by the Buffalo Sabres.”
On top of that honor, Addison was also chosen, along with several other players who play in the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation, to represent the Monsignor Martin Hockey Team and Nardin Academy at another Sabres home game in early February honoring National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Addison lined up on the ice before the start of the game standing between Sabres players Peyton Krebs and Michael Kesselring.
Not bad for a young lady who began playing organized hockey when she was 11 years old.
“I started at Amherst and played in the house league,” recalled Addison. “And now I play for the Buffalo Regals.”
Addison is now in her fourth season with the Monsignor Martin, having joined the team as a freshman.
Interestingly, Addison has always played defense.
“When I first began playing, I chose to play defense,” said Addison, a captain on the Monsignor Martin team. “I guess I’ve always been defensive minded.”
So what does Addison enjoy about hockey?
“Obviously, I think it’s the friendships I’ve made,” answered Addison. “It’s a big team sport.
“It’s fast paced and I like how creative you can get. Not every game is the same.
“I just keep playing my game, support my teammates and help our team.”
Addison has been a captain on her team for the past two seasons.
“I’m very happy to have the opportunity to be a leader on the team.”
As for her future, Addison admits she would like to continue playing hockey.
“But I would like to stay in the game and get into coaching some day. I do want to be a coach.”
The 16th season of the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation has come to a close. It seems like it just begun with everyone wondering who will come out on the top. The answers are in and everyone in this League shares in the excitement of the season.
Clarence/Amherst/Sweet Home took honors this season by winning the Federation title, Section VI title and heading off for a showing at the New York State Regional Championship.
After 16 games in the regular season, CASH posted a 13-2-1 record; they then went on to defeat Frontier/Orchard Park in the semi-finals and Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden in the finals. With Section V having one team eligible for State Regionals, CASH had to play Webster in a Far West Regional and the winner of that heading to the States. CASH defeated them 2-1.
At the States semi-finals, CASH faced the Potsdam Sandstormers, no stranger to State competition. It was a scoreless first period, a scoreless second period and then Potsdam moved in to score two goals in the third, the final one an empty-netter and Potsdam moved on to face Adirondack in the finals. That ended with Potsdam taking the title.
Kiley Breeze was recognized for her play at the States as CASH’s Player of the Game.
On the Private school side of WNYGVIH, St. Mary’s of Lancaster defeated Monsignor Martin for the title.
All stats are in, the coaches have met and the All Federation Teams were named.
Offensive Player of the Year went o LIDA’s Leah Dowling, a senior from Lancaster who led the League in scoring this season with 26 goals and 21 assists in 19 games.
Defensive Player of the Year is Jenny Wild of CASH. Jenny will graduate from Clarence High School. She had much presence on the ice for her team in setting up plays, keeping the opposition from the net and she scored 15 goals and 15 assists as the Captain of the team.
Coach of the Year went to Nicola Adimey of CASH. She kept this team on an even keel as they moved through their wins, losses and a tie and right through their State loss.
Named to First Team All-Fed: Forwards Peyton Forcucci, FOP; Sam Latini, NICO; Sophia Phillips, HEWS. On “D” Jocelyn Smaczniak, FOP and Morgan Cooper, HEWS. Ella Celej is the Goalie from CASH.
Named to Second Team All Fed: Forwards Teagan Willats, KenGiPort; Avery Sczczesk, St. Marys; Emily Lysiak, LIDA. Defense Gabe Lowell, St. Marys; Brooklyn Forcucci, FOP. In goal Kate Kelley, MonMar.
Third Team All Fed: Forwards Brynn Cafferty, LIDA; Kiley Breeze, CASH; Brynn Holland, HEWS. On Defense: Layla Osinski, LIDA and Savanna Shaft, KenGiPort. Ella Buczynski, HEWS, was named Goaltender.
Honorable Mention went to Goalies, and rightly so this season; they were the key in many wins.
Rachel Fix, FOP; Betsy Accurso, St. Marys; Ella Johnston KenGiPort and Iris Schimenti, LIDA.
Bee Publications Sports Editor Patrick Nagy was presented with the Dr. James Rusin Award. This is presented to a person who has gone above and beyond in helping the WNYGVIH Federation in its endeavors by promoting and supporting the entire team. Nagy has done this through consistent publication of stories on the League.
Jenny Wild of CASH was presented the Derek Cline Memorial Scholarship. The award is presented to the player who best embodies what Derek was all about, love, laughter and dedication to the sport. Derek passed away in January 2021 and had been involved in WNY sports, especially ice hockey.
Past recipients from the WNYGVIH Federation include Camryn Brownschidle (MonMar), Trinity Kehoe (MonMar), Alexandria Franke (MonMar) and Georgia Mango (CASH).
CASH was honored by the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the National Ice Hockey Officials Association as the team that best exemplified the characteristics of sportsmanship, fair play and mutual respect to players, coaches and officials.
Regular season is finished; playoffs and Championships have been played and our Seniors have taken their last skate on WNYGVIH Federation ice.
Our congratulations and best wishes to these young ladies as they venture into the next phase of their life, be it college, workforce or service to their country.
From Clarence/Amherst/Sweet Home (CASH)
Kaylee Burke, Clarence High School. A Forward who began playing three years ago as a Wing. She plans to attend the University of Buffalo in Pre-Law.
Kiley Breeze, Clarence High School. A Forward who came to CASH four years ago on Defense. Her plans are to attend college and student Exercise Science.
Haylie Yourston, Sweet Home High School and a member of CASH for four years. She plays Defense and plans to study Cosmetology and become a hairstylist.
Jenny Wild, Clarence High School. The CASH Captain has played six years and plans to continue her ice hockey career at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh while she focuses her studies on Bio-chemistry.
Maya Adimey, Amherst High School. Another CASH Captain who has played for six years on Defense. She will be majoring in Accounting. Maya is the daughter of Coach Nicola Adimey.
Ella Celej, Clarence High School and CASH’s goaltender for five years. Ella plans to attend Worcester State College where she will play ice hockey and major in the field of STEM.
Riley MacFarland, Clarence High School. This Forward has played for CASH for thee years on Right Wing. She has been accepted at High Point University and will focus on Business Analytics and Economics.
Frontier/Lakeshore/Orchard Park
(NYHOL was unable to attend, thus no group/parents photos)
Kayli Tefft, Orchard Park High School. Forward. Kayli has been a member of FLOP for five years and is planning to study Health Sciences at a college to be determined. She is the daughter of Brian and Jill Tefft.
Rachel Fix, Orchard Park High School, Goalie. Rachel has guarded the FLOP net for the past four years. She is currently finishing her Associate’s Degree at Cam PTECH program in Electrical Construction and Maintenance. She has to complete an extra year of PTECH to complete the AS degree and hopes to play hockey at the collegiate level. She is the daughter of Jeff and Teresa Fix.
Jocelyn Smaczniak, Frontier High School. A Defensive player for FLOP for the past five years, Joycelyn plans to study Business and Accounting in college. She would like to play at the collegiate level but is currently undecided about the college. Jocelyn was Third Team All Star as a freshman and was a First Team All Star for her sophomore and junior years. Her parents are Dan and Christina Smazniak.
Hamburg/Eden/West Seneca
Kylie Wegrzynowski, Eden High School, a Forward. Kylie has played hockey for 13 years, 6 with HEWS. She will be attending Lockhaven University for Exercise Science and playing Lacrosse.
Brynn Holland, West Seneca High School, Forward. Of her 9 years in hockey, 5 have been with HEWS. She plans to play hockey at the collegiate level and study communications and political science.
Sophia Phillips, West Seneca High School, Forward and Captain. Sophia has played hockey for 10 years, 5 with HEWS. She will be attending Buffalo State University (Buff State) and playing DIII ice hockey while studying Health and Wellness and Exercise Science.
Kelsey Barrett, Eden High School, Defense and recipient of the Buffalo Sabres Woman Athlete of the Month for January. Kelsey has played 14 years of ice hockey, 5 with HEWS. She will be attending St. John Fisher College and playing Lacrosse. Her major will be Biology.
Meghan Waskielewicz, West Seneca High School. Forward. Meghan has had 14 years of hockey and has played six with HEWS. She plans to attend college for Sports Management.
Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden
Leah Sacco, Lancaster High School, Defense. Leah has been part of LIDA for two years. She is a member of the High Honor Roll with a 4.0 average and is a nominee for Scholar/Athlete. Leah is President of the P.A.I.R. Club, a student union representative and is a member of the Business Honor Society and Academy of Finance. She has conducted community service through the Z-Club and the Leo Club. The daughter of Mark and Melissa Sacco, she plans to attend Daemen University to study Nursing in pursuit of a B.S.N in Nursing.
Hailey Muff, Alden High School, Forward. She is finishing her fourth year as a member of LIDA. Hailey is a member of the High Honor Roll, National Honor Society and is an officer with the Alden Student Congress. She participated for two years on the Girls Soccer and Softball Teams. Hailey, the daughter of Russel and Angela Muff, will be attending SUNY Brockport pursuing a degree in Childhood Education.
Anna Maki, Depew High School, Defender. For the past five years she has not only played on defense but also served as a goalie. She also played six years of soccer, 4 years of softball, 4 years of basketball and 3 year of Flag Football. Anna is a member of the Honor Roll and President of the French Club.. She is also President of the Junior Firefighters and has been a regular Firefighter since turning 18. The daughter of Angie Boggs and Tony Maki, she will be attending Daemen University for Sports Science and Athletic Training.
Claire Whiteford, Alden High School, Forward and Assistant Captain. Claire joined LIDA four years ago and for the past two years has served as Assistant Captain. She also competes in Varsity Soccer (3 Years) and Varsity Track (4 Years). Claire is on the High Honor Roll and named Athlete of the Week for her athletic accomplishments and Business Student of the Year for her academics. She is the daughter of Gary and Tammy Whiteford and will be attending Rowan University to play ice hockey and pursue a degree in Sports Communication.
Brynn Cafferty, Lancaster High School. Brynn is a fifth year player for LIDA and has represented the team as Assistant Captain for the past two years. A Forward, she has been nominated as Scholar/Athlete for her Senior Year and earned Athlete of the Week at Lancaster for ice hockey. She is a member of the High Honor Roll and the National Honor Society. Her parents are Evan and Patrina Cafferty. At this point her collegiate plans are undetermined.
Laela Osinski, Iroquois High School. This Defender is in her sixth year with LIDA, serves as Captain and is an accomplished Field Hockey and Softball player, also for the past six years. She received an ECIC Honorable Mention for Field Hockey in 10th grade and was First Team All Star in 11th and 12th grade. She has also been named to the All NYS Team and received MVP award from Iroquois. Laela is Co-President of the Varsity Club, President of the Photography Club and a member of the Model U.N. at Iroquois. The daughter of Alissa Osinski, she will be attending college to study Nursing.
Kenmore/Grand Island/Lockport
Ella Johnston, Grand Island High School, Goaltender. Ella has been a member of KenGiPort for four years and plans to attend Niagara University in Nursing. She is the daughter of Monika and Travis Johnston.
Zoey Dettbarn, Kenmore West High School, Forward. Zoey has been five years with KenGiPort and will major in Sports Management and plans to play Field Hockey or Lacrosse at a college to be determined. She is the daughter of Melisa and Jason Dettbarn.
Savanna Shaft, Lockport High School, Defense. Savanna wears the “A” for KenGiPort this season and is a great two-way defender. She has been with kenGiPort for four years and plans to become a Physical Therapist. Her parents are Jeff and Kelly Shaft. Sister, Izzy, is a teammate.
Alexa Denning, Kenmore West High School, Defense. Alexa is also an Assistant Captain and has played for KenGiPort for five years. She will attend SUNY Niagara (NCCC) for Radiological Technology. Her parents are Michael and Silvia Denning.
Teagan Willats, Grand Island, Forward. This is KenGiPort’s Captain and has played for the team for six years. She has been accepted at Buffalo State University (Buffalo State College) and will be playing ice hockey there while studying to become a Physical Education teacher. She is the daughter of Brian and Jen.
Monsignor Martin
Kate Ember, Buffalo Seminary, played Offense and Defense this season. This is her first year as a Varsity player. She plans on attending a college to be determined.
Brigid McQueary, Mt. Mercy Academy. Brigid is in her second year on the team. She also has not yet made her collegiate choice.
Ellie Black, Buffalo Seminar, Forward. A three year MonMar player. She served as Captain this season and was the leading scorer in her Junior year. Her future plans are still being determined.
Kate Kelley, Sacred Heart Academy, Goaltender. Kate is a four-year starter for MonMar and has served as Captain for two years. She is a two-time Girls Federation All-Star. She also plans to continue her education.
Addison Cherry, Nardin Academy, Defender. Addison has been a four-year starter for MonMar and has also been the team Captain for two years. She is a two-time Federation All Star and was recently named Buffalo Sabres Woman Athlete of the Month for December 2025. She will be continuing her education.
Niagara County Lady Warriors
Sam Latini, Starpoint Central High School, Forward. Sam has played six years for NICO as a Center and Wing. She will be attending Albetus Magnus to study Biology and play DIII Ice Hockey. She is the daughter of Assistant Coach Shawn Latini.
Myla Chopyak, Niagara-Wheatfield High School, Defense. Myla has played two years for Nico and wants to continue playing club hockey and softball at a college to be determined.
Sam Draper, Lewiston Porter Central School, Forward and Defense. Sam has been with NICO for five years and will be attending Clarkson University to study Environmental Engineering. She will be a member of the DIII Lacrosse team for the Golden Knights.
St. Marys of Lancaster
Gabe Lowell, Captain and Defender. Gabe has maintained at 92.2 average while at SMH and was named a Federation All Star twice. She earned the team’s Most Defensive Player Award and plans to attend Hilbert College where she will study Forensic Science and play DIII ice hockey.
Lauren Gilano, Assistant Captain and Forward. She has maintained a 96 average at SMH, is a member of National Honor Society, awarded the team’s Best Effort Award twice. She will be attending Mercyhurst University to study Business and Pre-Law and play for the DII ACHA Club Hockey team.
Betsy Accurso, Goaltender. Betsy has received the Team’s Most Defensive Player Award and received All Federation recognition. She maintains a 91 average and is considering an offer from Michigan State University to study Political Science.
Avery Szczesek, Assistant Captain and Forward. With a 98.16 average she is a member of the National Honor Society, a two-time Federation All Star and was named the Team’s Most Offensive Player twice. She will be attending St. John Fisher College to play DIII NCAA Ice Hockey while studying Athletic Performance.
Brooklyn Vitez, Defender. She maintains a 98.12 average and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been accepted into the Nursing program at several universities and is making her decision.
Williamsville
Addison Stachura, Williamsville East High School, Assistant Captain, Forward. Addison is a four-year member of the team and plans to attend Duquesne University in Health Science/Pre-Med. Her parents are Jeff and Michelle Stachura.
Allie Besancon, Williamsville North High School, Captain and Forward. Five years with Williamsville and she plans to become a Physician’s Assistant. Still deciding which college. She is the daughter of Bret and Jennifer Besancon.
Caydence Curran, Williamsville East High School, Assistant Captain, Forward. She has played for three years and will be attending SUNY Binghamton for Biomedical Engineering. She is the daughter of Alex and Dee Curran.
Kaitlyn Laudico, Williamsville South High School, Captain, Defense. Kaitlyn has been playing for Williamsville for six years and will be majoring in Neuroscience on the Pre-Med track. She is the daughter of Robert Laudico and Donna Laudico.
Scarlet Canna, Williamsville South High School, Captain, Forward. Scarlet has played for Williamsville for five years and is undetermined about her future educational plans. She is the daughter of Angelo Canna and Kim Allen
Alena Lombardo, Williamsville North High School, Assistant Captain, Forward. She has played five years for the team and will be attending Niagara University, continuing her hockey career and studying Nursing.
Anna Meyer, Williamsville East High School, Assistant Captain, Defender. Anna has been with Williamsville for five years and will be attending Kent State University for Architecture. She is the daughter of Rob and Sabrina Meyer.
Photos and Story by Janet Schultz. No photos may be copied, shared or reproduced without permission of Janet@nyhockeyonline.com.
Section VI’s Clarence/Amherst/Sweet Home (CASH) took the NYSPHSAA Far West Regional Championship to advance to the NYS Regional Championship this weekend (Feb. 20/21). They beat the Webster Lakers 2-1 in a face-paced game.
CASH opened the scoring in the first when Kiley Breeze got one past Webster’s Mia Wambach at 4:28 of the first, assisted by Captain Jenny Wild. First period ends in CASH’s favor.
CASH adds another one in the second at 10:58, an unassisted goal by Wild. CASH is up 2-0 going into the third.
With just 1:49 left in the third period, Webster’s Kenzie Beale gets one by Ella Celej, assisted by Viv Kinkead. Webster continued the pressure until the whistle was blown and CASH wins 2-1.
In goal Celej stopped 25 of 26 shots for CASH and Wambach faced 18.
The States look like this.
CASH will face Section X Potsdam on Friday at 3 p.m.
At 5 p.m. Section III Skaneateles faces Section II Adirondack
The winner of those two games will advance to the finals.
This will be CASH’s first appearance at the State Championship.
Potsdam has taken the Championship once, in 2014. That year they declared Co-Champions along with Skaneateles after four overtimes and a 2-2 tie.
Skaneateles has taken the title five times, including the Co-win; Adirondack twice.
Our WNYGVIH teams, Williamsville won the title in 2019 and Frontier/Orchard Park in 2018. Kenmore/Grand Island (before Lockport) has also appeared in the semi-finals.
The NYS Championship is considered Regional because not every Section in the NYSPHSAA has a girls varsity ice hockey team to compete. The Tournament was started in 2005-06.
History was made when Clarence/Amherst/Sweet Home took the Section VI championship in the WNYGVIH Federation. Up until this time the schools that have won were Frontier/Orchard Park/LakeShore (4), Kenmore/Grand Island/Lockport (8) and Williamsville (3).
CASH compiled a 13 win, 2 loss and 1 tie record this season. Their goaltending has been very strong in Ella Celej with 724.42 minutes in the net during regular season play and a .943 save percentage after facing 370 shots and stopping 349. Jenny Wild, the Captain, has made her mark in scoring with11 goals and 12 assists followed by Kiley Breeze, 15 goals/3 assists and Cece Watson, 6 goals/10 assists.
Their opponent was no easy one. Lancaster/Iroquois/Depew/Alden had the league’s top scorer in Leah Dowling with 24 goals and 17 assists during the regular season. She has added to that in the playoffs and championship game. They also had Brynn Cafferty with 13 goals/17 assists and Caitlin Sinclair who was consistent in her assists with 21 on the season, along with 4 goals. Emily Lysiak also fits that category with 9 goals and 14 assists. Like CASH’s Celej, Iris Schimenti was LIDA’s only goaltender facing 678.68 minutes in net and stopping 278 of 314 goals.
So they hit the ice at the Buffalo State University Arena on Monday night. CASH made their mark at 1:44 of the first when Mila Dominik got the first goal past Schimenti, assisted by Jenny Wild and Cece Bizub. LIDA answered right back at 2:32 when Leah Dowling made her mark, assisted by Layla Osinski and Claire Whiteford. Then it was CASH to close out the period with two goals by Kiley Breeze, one unassisted and the second had some help from Lyla Kinney and Celia Watson. First period ends 3-1.
LIDA opens the second period with a power play goal by Whiteford, assisted by Dowling. CASH answers back when Wild scores on a shorthanded goal, assisted by Dominik. C. Bizub scores what turns out to be the game-winner, assisted by Dominik. Second period ends 5-2 CASH.
LIDA came out in the third and scored two more goals, giving everyone a nail-biting third. Dowling scored, assisted by Sinclair and Lucia Lawrence and Hailey Muff scored assisted by Emily Rodriquez. Game ends 5-4 in favor of CASH.
Celej faced 48 shots, stopping 44 and Schimenti stopped 16 of 21.
CASH moves on to face Webster in the WNY Regional Championship on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Buffalo State University Arena. Tickets are required, go to the WNY Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Facebook page for a link to the ticketing. It is also on NYHOL’s Facebook page, just scroll down a bit.
The winner of the Webster/CASH game then moves on to the NYS Championship semi-finals. This year the NYS Championship series will be held at the Utica Nexus Center, February 20-21. Tickets are required and we will provide that information as soon as we can.
St. Mary’s of Lancaster opened their 2025-26 season with a 4-2 victory over Monsignor Martin on home ice. They ended in fifth place in the WNYGVIH Federation league and a #1 seed for the playoffs. St. Mary’s and Monsignor Martin are not allowed to play in the WNYGVIH Sectional playoffs, so a separate Championship was set up for the two Private School teams. Thus, always it will be St. Mary’s and Monsignor Martin, each one battling for that #1 seed. St. Mary’s had a 10 win; 6 loss season and Monsignor Martin 2 wins, 12 losses and 2 ties.
The teams took to the ice Monday night at Buffalo State University (College) Arena. In goal for St. Mary’s was Betsy Accurso and for Monsignor Martin, Grace Elliott. Both goalies have seen lots of action this year with Accurso playing 718 minutes and Elliott facing 202 shots.
St. Mary’s Shea Hall got on the boards first, an unassisted goal just under four minutes into the first period. Avery Szczesek dropped in her first two of the night and first period ended 3-0 in favor of St. Mary’s Meghan Donnelly had the assists on both Szczesek’s goals.
No scoring in the second period with St Mary’s having 11 shots-on-goal and Monsignor Martin with three.
Monsignor Martin’s Ellie Black opened the scoring for Monsignor Martin almost two minutes in, on an assist by Isabella Kosich. It proved to be the only MonMar goal of the night. St. Mary’s answers back with three more goals. Sophia Quinn gets one, assisted by Lauren Gilano and Olivia Salamone; a third goal by Szczesek for her hat trick, short-handed; assisted by Hall and the final one by Brynn Karan, assisted by Szczesek.
The game ends 6-1 with Accurso stopping 11 of 12 and Elliott stopping 45 of 51.
CASH opened scoring in the first game of the WNYGVIH Section VI semi-finals. Jenny Wild dropped in an unassisted goal just five minutes into the game. First period ended 1-0.
FLOP answered back 38 seconds into the second period when Peyton Forcucci got her first point of the night, assisted by sister Brooklyn and Hannah Favata. Then it was CASH securing a 2-1 end to the second when Polina Stremiakova scored, assisted by Maya Adimey and Emma Elnicky.
A no goal and penalities were the feature of the third until with just 3:40 left Kiley Breezed scored a short-handed goal, assisted by Adimey. Not be be outdone FLOP answered back with 20 seconds left and scored their second goal. Jocelyn Smaczniak got one past Ella Celej, assisted by Peyton Forcucci. The period ends 3-2 and CASH moves to the finals.
Rachael Fix stopped 24 of 27 shots for FLOP and Celej faced 30.
Game two of the semi-finals took two overtimes to have a winner declared as HEWS took on LIDA.
It started when HEWS put in a goal halfway through the first off the stick of Sophia Phillips, assisted by Morgan Cooper. First period ends 1-0 HEWS and with penalty minutes.
Second period opens with left-over penalty minutes and another one added. That set LIDA up for a powerplay goal by Emily Lysiak, assisted by Claire Whiteford and Leah Dowling. Second period ends with another penalty and a 1-1 tie.
Third period is back and forth with chances for both teams to score and Goalies Ella Buczynski and Iris Schimenti keeping out 8 shots each. Still a 1-1 tie at the end of the third.
Diving into Overtime #1 and again the Goalies do their thing and another period ends with a penalty.
Overtime #2 opened with left-over penalty minutes and another one added. At 4:52 LIDA’s Lysiak makes another shot on goal and it goes in, assisted by Whiteford. It was back and forth until the end, with Goalies doing their thing and the period ends at 10:08, 2-1 in favor of LIDA.
LIDA moves on to face CASH in the Section VI Championship on Monday, February 16 at 8 pm. at Buffalo State University (Buffalo State College) Arena. This is the first time Section VI will have a new champion. Since the beginning of the League in 2010, it has been FLOP, KenGiPort, or Williamsville taking the titles. Same goes for the Past Federation Champs which include the above plus Monsignor Martin.
The Private School Championship pitting St. Mary’s of Lancaster against Monsignor Martin will be played at 6 p.m.
There is an admission fee, links can be found on the WNYGVIH Facebook page.
In the State, Adirondack will be heading the the NYS Championship for the fourth consecutive time after defeating the East Wave in a Sectional playoff. Skaneateles is playing Oswego to determine which of those teams move on. The fourth determinating game is Potsdam vs Massena being played today (Feb. 14).
All photos property of NYHOL. Permission for usage must be made by contacting Janet@nyhockeyonline.com.
The third game of the WNYGVIH Federation Quarterfinals pitted KenGiPort against FLOP. FLOP came out on top 3-1 to advance to the semi-finals on Thursday.
FLOP opened the scoring at 5:44 of the first period when Sabrina Basamania, assisted by Hannah Favata scored. It remained 1-0 through the end of the first.
FLOP secured a second goal in the second period with Jocelyn Smaczniak scoring, assisted by Lila Bell and Brooklyn Forcucci. This was the game-winner and the second ends 2-0.
With just over two minutes left in the third, FLOP got on the boards again as Peyton Forcucci dropped the puck into the empty net. It seemed this would be the end. Not happening. With 57.3 seconds left, KenGiPort’s Alexa Denning got one past Rachael Fix on an assist by Teagan Willats and Savanna Shaft.
Fix faced 24 shots on goal for FLOP and KenGiPort’s Ella Johnston stopped 19 of 21.
This sets the seeding for the Semi-Finals with FLOP at number 2 facing #1 CASH and #3 HEWS facing #4 LIDA.
Editor’s Note: While I tend not to commentate on our games, this one was exciting, the goaltenders were outstanding at both ends and there were some amazing shots-on-goal that didn’t make it past the goaltenders.
