NYHOL Photo Gallery: Williamsville at Kenmore/Grand Island
February 23, 2021
NYHOL GALLERY: NiCo at CASH
February 22, 2021
WNYGVIH in Full Swing
by Janet Schultz, NYHOL
This league never fails to amaze! Each team is on a quest to take the Championship but they play one game at a time.
This week started out with two games on Monday evening.
First up was Niagara County visiting CASH at Northtowns. CASH came out and fired in two goals in the first period, one at 14:29 unassisted by Allison Greene. Then three minutes later Sydney Spear got a goal, assisted by Alannah Pagano and Lilly Adimey. First ends 2-0. Then Niagara County came out at 14:02 of the second and Natalie O’Brien got the goal, assisted by Kayla Persinger. CASH answers back with a goal by Emma Guzek, which proves to be the game winner, assisted by Lucy Grimaldi. It’s back to NiCo with goal by Jackson, assisted by O’Connor. Isabella Clary drops in an unassisted goal and then L. Adimey strikes, assisted by Jenny Wild and the second ends 5-2 CASH.
NiCo gets the only goal in the third period with Persinger scoring an unassisted goal at 3:34. NiCo replaced goalie Annie Riek with one minute left to go, giving Mariela Mulready a chance to save 4 of 4 shots at the end. The game ends 5-3 in favor of CASH.
Kylie Paige stopped 31 of 28 SOG and Riek stopped 15 of 20 for NiCo.
In the cold outdoors LID faced off with HEWS at Riverworks. With no scoring in the first period, both teams came out hungry and LID scored two goals and HEWS scored one for a 2-1 lead for LID. In the third they both scored and the game ends 3-2 in favor of LID.
Scoring for HEWS Olivia Wade, a powerplay goal assisted by E Cooper in the second and in the third it was Wade again, unassisted. Natalie Davidson faced 18 SOG/stopping 15.
LID’s Morganne Dee scored the first goal unassisted in the second period and then Hailey Keppner tied the game, assisted by Dee. Keppner also had the game-winner on a powerplay, assisted by Sara O’Donnell and Dee. MacKenzie Walkowiak stopped 19 of 21 SOG.
A single match-up on Tuesday night at Lincoln with Williamsville taking on Kenmore/Grand Island. This was a fast-paced game with a lot of puck movement from one end to the other and the goaltenders working hard.
Williamsville struck first off the stick of Ellie Schau, assisted by Diana Martucci. Williamsville’s Schau came in again, unassisted taking Williamsville to a 2-0 lead with just seconds left. But never say never, KGI’s Emiliana Cassillo was at the net, with the puck in it, assisted by Savannah Samplinkski just before the buzzer went off and it was 2-1 Williamsville. Both teams scored in the second with Williamsville’s Aizah-Rose Thompson getting the game winner on a powerplay, assisted by Molly DiGiullo and Schhau. KGI’s Isabelle Bourgeault scored, assisted by Isabella Burt. Second ends 3-2, as did the third with no scoring.
In goal for Williamsville was seventh grader Brynn Bacak who made 10 saves on 12 shots. For KGI it was Carolyn Bourgeault making 24 saves on 27 shots.
CASH’s Hannah Barrett had her first shut out in a 2-0 victory over LID on Wednesday evening.
Along with being LID’s Senior Night it was the first night one parent was allowed in to watch their daughter play. No parents took part in the traditional Senior Ceremony but all six LID players were recognized and could wave to their parent in the stands. We congratulate Amanda Cole, Maya Lasker, Hailey Keppner, Morganne Dee, Brooklyn Warren and Dylan Gorski.
No scoring in the first period and a change in jerseys from the black to white for CASH, making things a little easier to see and making the game a little unique.
Allison Greene scored the game winning goal unassisted in the second period, ending with a 1-0 score. Then Emma Guzdek scored the second goal in the third, assisted by Sara Barrett and the game ends 2-0.
In goal for LID was Dylan Gorski who made 26 of 28 shots and H Barrett with the win stopping all 27 SOG.
A double-header Thursday night with HEWS at FLOP and Williamsville at Monsignor Martin.
The Williamsville/MM game got a lot of play as the teams that seem to be on everyone’s radar as potential champions, Williamsville defending the 2020 titles.
Action wise, this was one of the best games this season and also a battle of goaltenders with Sara Will at the MM end and Elizabeth Timby in for Williamsville.
Monsignor Martin took the lead right off when Grace Russo scored at 12:47 of the first, assisted by Mia Boyd and Camryn Brownschidle. Lara Beecher dropped in an unassisted goal at 10:31 and the period ended 2-0 in favor of MM. Monsignor Martin again in the second period with Beecher getting her second of the night, assisted by Boyd and Abby Marion. Second period is 3-0 MM. Williamsville worked hard in the second period getting two goals, both by Vanessa Willick. Assists for Williamsville go to Ella Murphy, Elizabeth Jackson and Molly Martin.
Will stopped 26 of 28 shots and Timby, 16 of 19.
Another no scoring the first period was happening at HEWS vs FLOP at Hamburg Nike. HEWS scored first after returning for the second period on a shot by Jackie Supples, assisted by Riley Andzel. Then FLOP’s Gabby Messing scored, assisted by Samantha Torgerson and the second ends tied at one. HEWS Olivia Wade scored the game-winner at 3:25 of the third, assisted by Elizabeth O’Brien and Andzel to end the game 2-1 in favor of HEWS.
Lauryn Brown was the winning goalie with 26 saves on 28 shots and Kerrigan McCarthy was in for FLOP with 13 saves on 14 shots.
In a non-leauge matchup it was KGI 6, LID 2 on Thursday night at Lincoln. Scoring for KGI were Emiliana Cassillio (3; Isabella Jayme (2); Isabella Bourgeault. Goalie duties were split with Samantha Horne 16 saves on 17 shots; Allison Hill 15/16 and Jordan Hofschneider (5/5).
For LID is was Sara O’Donnell, Sydney Radecki scoring and MacKenzie Walkowiak making 23 of 26 shots and Carly Irzycki stopping 10 of 13.
So this week ends with a very interesting team placement. Monsignor Martin and Williamsville are at the top. With Williamsville playing four games they are 3-1-0 and MM is perfect at 3-0 in three games. CASH sits at third with a 2-1 record followed by NICo, LID, HEWS, FLOP and KGI.
Historically we look and see two former championship teams at the bottom, two former championship teams at the top and movement in the middle of teams that have all spent time at the very bottom over the past ten years. The differences…several teams have very young teams and some a shorter bench than in the past. In other words, once again in the WNYGVIH League it’s anyone’s trophy!
Up this week:
Monday, March 1: KGI at Niagara County, 4 p.m. Hyde Park
FLOP at CASH 4:30 p.m. Northtowns
Tuesday, March 2: LID at Williamsville, 4:30 p.m. Northtowns
MM at KGI, 7:40 p.m. Lincoln
Wednesday, March 4: LID at MM, 4:30 p.m. North Buffalo
NiCo at FLOP, 4:30 p.m. Nike
HEWS at CASH, 4:30 p.m. Northtowns
Fairport, NY Native Tabbed as First-Ever Hockey Coach at Rivier University
NASHUA, N.H. – Eric Sorenson has been named the first-ever Head Coach for Men’s Ice Hockey at Rivier University. Sorenson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the bench as he served as an assistant coach for the past six years at the NCAA Division III level along with playing four-years as a Division III student-athlete.
“We are pleased to welcome Eric to Raiders Athletics and to work with him to achieve our vision for the Men’s Ice Hockey program,” said Joanne Merrill, Rivier’s Athletic Director. “I believe his coaching experience and leadership will motivate student-athletes to achieve their full potential as scholars and athletes.”
Sorenson comes to Nashua after serving as the assistant men’s ice hockey coach at Williams College and Nazareth College over the past six seasons. His teams advanced to their respective conference tournaments in five of the six seasons. Prior to his tenure in college hockey, he held head coach and assistant coach/goaltending coach positions with the Rochester Jr. Americans along with spending nine years coaching and managing off-ice operations for Mitch Korn Goaltending Camps.
As a student-athlete, Sorenson was a standout goalie at Western New England University. While letting in all four years at WNEU, he holds career records for wins (29) and saves (2,175). Sorenson was named the ECAC Northeast Goalie of the Week eleven times and was also selected to the All-ECAC Northeast Team (twice) and a three-time member of the All-Academic team. He graduated from WNEU in 2014 with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Management. Sorenson then went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Sport Administration from Canisius College in 2017.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help build this program,” said Sorenson, a native of Fairport, NY. “As the program leader, I will support a character-based culture with a focus on skill development, team, academics, and community involvement aimed at providing each student-athlete with the foundation to be successful in life.”
Sorenson is recruiting qualified student-athletes in preparation to take the ice in the fall of 2021 at Nashua’s Conway Arena, the Raiders home rink. Earlier, the University announced the addition of Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey – bringing the total number of varsity teams to 15.
“The addition of hockey is great news for local high school players who want to compete at the University level without leaving the state of New Hampshire,” said Brad Kreick, Chair of Rivier’s Board of Trustees and former NCAA Division I Ice Hockey student-athlete, in a statement last month. “Bringing college ice hockey to Nashua is a win for both the University and the city. We look forward to our inaugural teams taking the ice in 2021.”
Elmira College Women’s Hockey Roll To Win Over Manhattanville
ELMSFORD, N.Y. — The Elmira College women’s ice hockey team rolled to a 7-1 United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) victory on the road Friday night against Manhattanville College.
The nine different Soaring Eagles (2-0-0, 2-0-0 UCHC) registered a point against the Valiants (0-3-0, 0-3-0 UCHC), and as a team, Elmira finished with a sizable 53-to-8 advantage in shots on goal. EC netted two goals on the power play, while the defense held Mville off of the scoreboard for over 51 minutes.
For the second game in a row, senior forward Jess Adams ’21 led the team in scoring. Against the Valiants, she potted one goal with three assists for a game-high four points. Classmate Tristen Tolan ’21 was the only player to score multiple goals, as she scored twice as part of a three-point outing (2g-1a). Kelly Matthews ’23 (1g-1a), Jenny Heath ’22 (1g), Emma Crocker ’21 (1g), Holley Riva ’23 (1g), Devyn Gilman ’21 (1a), Mary McCafferty ’22 (1a), and Eliza Beaudin ’22 (1a) also contributed to the Elmira attack.
EC logged the first six goals of the game and built up 6-0 lead midway through the third period. Tolan’s first tally, which went down as the eventual game-winner, put the Soaring Eagles ahead 2-0 with 4:26 to go in the opening period. Crocker’s power-play goal widened the margin to 3-0 in the second period, and Tolan began the scoring in the final stanza with an unassisted goal.
Up 6-1, Heath added an exclamation point to the win with her second goal of the young season, the second power-play marker of the night for the Soaring Eagles, which came with 5:57 left in regulation.
In goal, Elizabeth Hanson ’21 made six saves in 45:28 minutes, before giving way to second-year netminder Maggie Gilman’23, who stopped one shot in 14:32.
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Tim Crowley when asked about Friday’s road win at Manhattanville…
“I thought we played well again and were able to finish off some nice plays. It was good to get a win on the road and have everybody contribute throughout the lineup.”
News and Notes
- Elmira improved to 2-0-0 overall and 2-0-0 against UCHC opponents.
- The Soaring Eagles have outscored opponents 11-1 through the first two games of the season.
- Adams led all skaters in points for the second consecutive contest.
- Adams, Heath, and Matthews have scored a goal in both games so far in 2021.
- Crocker’s goal moved the senior one point closer to 100, as she currently owns 93 career points (39g-54a) in 82 games played.
- Hanson improved to 2-0-0 in goal for Elmira and has stopped 24 of 25 shots in two games.
Up Next
Elmira and Manhattanville will finish their home-and-home series on Saturday, February 27, at 4:00 p.m. inside the Murray Athletic Center.
(Elmira Women’s Hockey Photo)
Senior Players Honored By Colgate Women’s Hockey
This was Colgate Women’s Hockey Coach Greg Fargo’s comments regarding his seniors and the game following his team’s 5-0 victory over St. Lawrence.
HEAD COACH GREG FARGO’S TAKE
“Today was a really special day for our seniors but also for our entire team. We really could not have drawn up a better senior day for our six outstanding seniors.
“I thought we came out ready to go in the first period and made the most of our scoring chances early on. We followed up the early goals with a tremendous five-minute penalty kill and then a power play goal. Things were really clicking in that first period for us. I know our team really wanted to play well for our seniors, and honor them in that way and we were able to do just that.
“This group has meant so much to our program these past four years and they continue to leave their mark here. I can’t wait to see how the rest of this story is written for them and this team.”
Smigliani and Osborne Awarded ECAC Weekly Honors
ALBANY, N.Y. – After this weekend’s series against St. Lawrence, sophomore Sammy Smigliani was named ECAC Hockey Women’s Player of the Week and first-year Kayle Osborne was named Goalie of the Week.
Women’s Player of the Week: Sammy Smigliani
MAC Goaltending Goalie of the Week: Kayle Osborne
Adirondack Health Rookie of the Week: Catie Boudiette (Quinnipiac)
In Friday’s 3-2 loss, Smigliani notched one assist, bringing her season assist total to seven. In Colgate’s 5-0 win over the Saints on Sunday, Smigliani recorded her third multi-point game of the season as she had one goal and one assist. She now has a five-game point streak on four goals and four assists.
On the other end of the sheet, Osborne tallied 45 saves with just three goals against. She recorded 22 saves in Friday’s game against the Saints. In Sunday’s contest, Osborne did not allow any goals on 23 shots through 53:29 of action. Her outstanding weekend led her to win Goalie of the Week for the second time this season.
UP NEXT
Colgate travels for a road series against Quinnipiac, starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26 in Hamden, Conn.
Leschyshyn and Van Vliet Receive Honors
Syracuse sophomore Anna Leschyshyn and freshman Amelia Van Vliet are the College Hockey America Player and Rookie of the Week for their efforts in a weekend series sweep of Long Island University. Leschyshyn recorded back-to-back multi-goal games and Van Vliet earned a pair of wins in her first career starts.
Leschyshyn produced six points (5G/1A) in the series, including two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win on Friday and recorded a natural hat trick in the Orange 5-0 victory on Saturday. On Friday, Leschyshyn started the scoring in the first period with a shorthanded goal. She assisted on the second Orange goal and then scored her third, which proved to be the game-winner, mid-way through the third period.
On Saturday, she scored the second, third and fourth goals for the Orange, producing Syracuse’s first natural hat trick since Lindsay Eastwood recorded one in March 2019. In the second period, Leschyshyn had two goals and then scored her third midway through the third period.
Van Vliet recorded 37 saves and a shutout in the two victories. In her first career collegiate start, she turned away 19 LIU shots in the 5-2 victory. In the second game, she recorded 18 saves in her first career shutout in the 5-0 Orange win.
Syracuse will play at Robert Morris on Friday, Feb. 26 (7 pm) and Saturday, Feb. 27 (2 pm). Both games will be streamed on Stretch.
BioSteel All-American Game Returns to USA Hockey Arena
| USHL Players will Participate in NHL Network Televised Game Full of 2021 NHL Draft Prospects |
| CHICAGO, ILL – The United States Hockey League (USHL), in conjunction with USA Hockey and the NHL, announced the 2021 BioSteel All-American Game, which will be held April 7 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. and broadcast on NHL Network. “We’re incredibly excited to be part of bringing back the BioSteel All-American Game this season,” said USHL President and Commissioner Tom Garrity. “The BioSteel All-American Game is a premier event for our 2021 NHL Draft prospects hosted with our wonderful partners at USA Hockey and the NHL. “In a season in which a lot of prospects across the world weren’t able to take to the ice, we’re happy to be providing a top-tier scouting event in the midst of our 2020-21 USHL season. For the second season in a row, the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) Under-18 team, which is one of the USHL’s Member Clubs and plays a full schedule in the USHL, will square off against the top 2021 NHL Draft-eligible players from the USHL. As the lone Tier I junior league in the United States, the USHL has continued to produce top talent for the NHL Draft, with 50-or-more players selected in each of the last three NHL Drafts. The event aims to be a showcase of the best NHL Draft-eligible players currently playing in the United States ahead of the 2021 NHL Draft. In last season’s inaugural combination event, 26 participating players went on to be selected in the 2020 NHL Draft. Selections included 2020 BioSteel All-American Game Most Valuable Player Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators, 1st Round, #5 Overall) and Brendan Brisson (Vegas Golden Knights, 1st Round, #29 Overall). Another eight players were selected in the Second Round, including former NTDP players Thomas Bordeleau (San Jose Sharks, #38 Overall), Tyler Kleven (Ottawa Senators, #44 Overall), Brock Faber (Los Angeles Kings, #45 Overall), Drew Commessso (Chicago Blackhawks, #46 Overall) and Luke Tuch (Montreal Canadiens, #47 Overall) as well as former Chicago Steel forward Sam Colangelo (Anaheim Ducks, #36 Overall) and current Green Bay Gamblers defenseman Mason Lohrei (Boston Bruins, #58 Overall). “Last year’s game with the new format was a big success,” said USA Hockey Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Operations John Vanbiesbrouck. “It’s terrific to showcase our top American players. We’ll have appropriate safety measures in place for all involved with the game.” The 2021 NHL Draft is scheduled for July 24-25, 2021. Final rosters, coaches, and on-ice officials for the BioSteel All-American Game will be named at a later date. For more information about the game, click HERE. Tickets for the BioSteel All-American Game will be announced at a later date. |
Union College’s Kosack Named Hockey Humanitarian Award Finalist
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Senior Josh Kosack of the Union College men’s hockey team was named one of three finalists for the 2021 Hockey Humanitarian Award, the HHA Foundation announced.
The award, which is celebrating its 26th season, is presented annually to college hockey’s finest citizen – a student-athlete who makes significant contributions not only to his or her team but also to the community-at-large through leadership in volunteerism.
Kosack is the only Division I student-athlete to be named a finalist for the award this season, joining Delaney Wolf of St. Mary’s University and the tandem of Andrew Walker and Jacob Adkins from UMass Boston. He is only the second Union student-athlete to be named a finalist for the prestigious national award, joining former Dutchmen Jeff Wilson ’02.
In 2019, a chance encounter with a teenage fan at an away game inspired Kosack to create “Kozi’s Kids,” an initiative that gives local Schenectady children a chance to experience a college hockey game – many for the first time. Through the program, which utilizes unused game tickets and concession vouchers from Union players, Kosack arranges for transportation to a Union men’s hockey game, gives children a tour of the locker room before the game, and also answers questions from the children about life as a college student and a student-athlete.
The nature of Kozi’s Kids changed dramatically this year due to the pandemic, but that did not stop Kosack from giving back to the community in different ways. Without hockey games to bring local children to this season, he single-handedly raised more than $5,000 to purchase Christmas presents for COCOA House in Schenectady this holiday season. And in the same week that his team received word that its 2020-21 season was canceled, Josh delivered more than 100 coats to a local Schenectady charity as part of a drive he initiated on campus
The 26th recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award will be honored in a ceremony on Friday, April 9 as part of the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four weekend in Pittsburgh, Pa. Additionally, the Hockey Humanitarian Award Foundation will make a donation to the charity most important to each of the finalists, with the donations made possible by the generous support of the award’s partners and donors.
Mark Messier Foundation Launches Donation Match Initiative to Raise $200,000 for Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association
Emulating his on-ice leadership that earned six Stanley Cup Championships, Messier again leads from the front offering $100,000 donation match for women’s equity
NEW YORK — The Mark Messier Foundation, a non-profit established by National Hockey League (NHL) legend Mark Messier to assist programs that make a positive difference by creating opportunity through sport, committed today to match donations that support the advancement of a viable pro women’s hockey league up to $100,000. Funds raised through Messier’s match program will support the Professional Women’s Hockey Player Association’s (PWHPA) 2021 Secret® Dream Gap Tour, as well as grassroots programs specifically designed for girls.
“I believe the creation of a sustainable pro women’s hockey league is a critical building block for access and opportunity,” Messier said. “As much as it is an equity initiative for women today who deserve a platform to showcase their talents, it is also an investment that builds off all the good our game offers. If young girls can dream to play pro hockey the same way boys have for generations, our game will grow in a more diverse way and more young girls will build self-confidence they will carry forever.”
Donations can be made at MarkMessierFoundation.org/donate. The Mark Messier Foundation will match every dollar contributed up to $100,000. In addition to generating financial support, Messier’s initiative also aims to encourage people to share their personal stories around why they believe it is important to advance and grow female hockey.
“On and off the ice, Mark has been a leader in our sport,” said Mary-Kay Messier, Senior Advisor to the PWHPA. “The PWHPA is incredibly grateful for the financial support. Just as important, Mark can help raise awareness for mission and values. We need more girls playing hockey, and more women in roles across our sport. I believe this initiative carries an important call to action for our entire hockey community to support girl’s and women’s hockey to ensure the future of our game.”
The Mark Messier Foundation launched this initiative ahead of the first-ever pro women’s game to be played at Madison Square Garden, hosted by the New York Rangers. On February 28 at 7 p.m. ET, the PWHPA will kick-off the 2021 Secret® Dream Gap Tour with a game broadcast live in the U.S. on the NHL Network. Sportsnet with air the NHL Network broadcast on Sportsnet 360 and SN NOW in Canada.
Comprised of approximately 125 of the world’s best hockey players, the PWHPA was formed to advance equity and opportunity in women’s professional hockey. Specifically, the group’s goal is to create a sustainable league that pays a living wage to players, provides elite-level resources and invests in marketing that showcases the players and game. A professional women’s league will provide role models for young girls and career opportunities in the game they love.
In addition to the game at Madison Square Garden, the PWHPA partnered with the Chicago Blackhawks to play a Secret Dream Gap Tour game at the United Center and the Toronto Maple Leafs to host a game when Canadian regulations allow it. Since those announcements, several other NHL teams have expressed interest in supporting and hosting the PWHPA. The Chicago game at the Madhouse on Madison will be broadcast nationally by NBC Sports.
About the Mark Messier Foundation
The Mark Messier Foundation was created by National Hockey League legend Mark Messier to deliver on his passion to support, inspire and empower those in need through sports, healthy living and education. The Foundation’s mission is to assist programs that deliver both quantifiable and qualitative benefits that make a positive difference. Learn more at MarkMessierFoundation.org.
(Messier Foundation Photo)
Myers Sets New White Plains Tigers Point Record
Congratulations to out to White Plains Tigers Captain, John Myers, for breaking the White Plains All-time Points record by recently scoring his 194th point of his career.
RIT’s Willett Wins Atlantic Hockey Weekly Award
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT senior assistant captain Dan Willett (Bayville, N.Y.) was voted the Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Week.
Willett anchored the RIT defense to a pair of victories over No. 19 Robert Morris, including a 6-1 win on Saturday and a 4-3 decision on Sunday.
The Colonials entered the weekend with Atlantic Hockey’s top scoring offense with 3.95 goals per game.
Willett also notched three assists on the weekend, including two in Saturday’s win, while also totaling four blocked shots during the doubleheader.
RIT hosts Niagara on Wednesday at 5:05 p.m. in the final home game of the regular season.
