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Cornell Men’s Hockey’s Mike Schafer Announces Plan To Retire Following 2024-25 Season

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Janet
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Casey Jones ’90 to Succeed Him As Program’s 13th Head Coach

ITHACA, N.Y. — Mike Schafer ’86, a legendary name in college hockey as well as the face of the Big Red men’s program for more than three decades, has announced that he will retire as the Jay R. Bloom ’77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey following the 2024-25 season.

Nicki Moore, the Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics & Physical Education, has also announced that Casey Jones ’90 – a former Big Red captain and assistant coach and current head coach at Clarkson University – will succeed Schafer as Cornell’s 13th men’s head coach. Jones will join the Big Red coaching staff this year as associate head coach before taking the reins next spring.

“I’ve had a 38-year coaching career in college hockey – 33 of them at Cornell,” Schafer, an assistant coach at Western Michigan from 1990-95 before returning to his alma mater. “It’s been a tremendous experience helping the players and teams over the years to reach their goals while helping create Big Red pride and building spirit through Cornell hockey. I feel now is the perfect time for me to begin the transition into retirement.

“I am grateful for all the amazing relationships I have with players, alumni, community members, and colleagues,” he said. “I am confident that the team will be in good hands with Director of Athletics Nicki Moore and Coach Jones when he takes over a year from now. I look forward to seeing the unmatched tradition of Cornell hockey continue throughout the years to come, but for now, I am focused on the work to be done this coming year.”

“Mike Schafer is a legend in the world of college hockey and is on a very short list of the most impactful people in the history of Cornell Athletics,” Moore said. “For nearly four decades as a player, captain, assistant, and ultimately head coach, Mike has poured his heart and total effort into the success of the program, and more importantly, into the individual student-athletes who have played for him and have flourished on and off the ice thanks to his mentorship. I am so grateful that he has agreed to continue coaching this year after considering retirement. I believe our approach will facilitate a smooth transition, and a seamless progression for the program as we extend and build upon Mike’s incredible legacy.”

During his 29 years behind the Big Red bench, Schafer has led the program to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the 2003 Frozen Four — its first appearance in the NCAA semifinals since 1980. The 2002-03 Big Red established a school record for wins (30), one more than the 1969-70 national championship squad (29-0-0), which remains the lone Division I men’s program to win a national title while finishing undefeated and untied.

Following the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season, Schafer was named co-recipient of the Spencer Penrose Award, given to the nation’s top head coach, sharing the honor with the University of North Dakota’s Brad Berry. Cornell was 23-2-4 and ranked No. 1 in the nation when the season was halted in mid-March. Schafer has been named ECAC Hockey’s Coach of the Year five times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2018, 2020) and Ivy League Coach of the Year four times (2018, 2019, 2020, 2024) since the award was established in 2016.

Under Schafer, Cornell has claimed six Whitelaw Cups (ECAC Hockey tournament titles), surpassing the legendary Ned Harkness for most in Big Red history. He has also guided Cornell to six Cleary Cups as the conference’s regular-season champion, including three over the past seven years, and 13 Ivy League titles.

A defenseman during his playing days, Schafer was a four-year letterman and a two-year captain. He appeared in 107 games for Cornell, scoring 70 points (10 goals, 60 assists), and capped his collegiate career by leading the Big Red to an ECAC Hockey championship and No. 5 national ranking as a senior.

Schafer was named an honorable mention All-ECAC Hockey selection in 1985-86 and earned All-Ivy second-team honors for a second consecutive year. Schafer also served as president of the Red Key Athletic Honor Society and was the recipient of the ECAC Medallion for academic excellence and athletic prowess.

Schafer and his wife, Diane ’86, have two sons, Luke and John ’18, MBA ’22, and a daughter, Michelle.

“When Coach Schafer approached me this past spring about his desire to retire, his focus was to support the current student-athletes and to make sure he left the program in the best possible position,” Moore said. “I think in every way we are doing that. After agreeing to stay on as head coach for one more season, and with the understanding of my commitment that Mike’s successor would be a successful sitting Division 1 head coach with an uncommon passion for Cornell hockey, Mike and I worked together to develop an impressive list of candidates.

“Casey emerged as the right successor for this esteemed program,” Moore said. “This creative succession solution allows us to seamlessly compete to win in the present and plan for the future with our current and future student-athletes top of mind. To have a coach of Casey’s caliber be supportive of this approach, and to have a person with his character and with his deep ties to Cornell be fully enthusiastic about the unique opportunity our plan offers is extraordinary! I am so excited for Mike, for Casey, and for our student-athletes and staff.”

“This is a really exciting moment for myself and my family – returning to my alma mater, the place I met my wife, and where I spent the best four years of my life,” Jones said. “Mike is a great friend and someone I have unlimited respect for, and I’m excited to celebrate what he has helped build before accepting the challenge of leading Big Red hockey into the future.”

Jones’ Clarkson teams compiled a 234-185-56 record with two NCAA Tournament appearances and five top-three conference finishes. His 2018-19 team won the ECAC Hockey Tournament title, and he was named ECAC Hockey’s Tim Taylor Coach of the Year; his 2019-20 team was 23-8-3 and poised for another trip to the NCAA Tournament before COVID-19 cut the season short. Over a five-year period from 2017-22, Clarkson ranked among the top 16 teams nationally in the final Pairwise each year.

Eleven Clarkson players have been selected in the NHL Entry Draft during Jones’ tenure, with four players going on to have NHL careers, three (Josh Dunne, Sheldon Rempal, and Nico Sturm) who are currently on active rosters.

Jones was associate head coach under Schafer from 2008-11, before taking over as head coach of the Golden Knights. Jones spent 1991-93 as an assistant coach for the Big Red under head coach Brian McCutcheon ‘71, then was an assistant for two years at Clarkson before joining Ohio State as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator from 1995-2008.

Jones was a four-year letter winner for the Big Red with Schafer as one of the team’s assistant coaches and Doug Derraugh ’91 – the Everett Family Head Coach of Women’s Ice Hockey – was a teammate. Jones served as team captain during the 1989-90 season, leading his team to a 16-10-3 mark. Jones scored 112 points (30 goals, 82 assists) in 110 games in his career and won the team’s Bill Doran Sportsmanship Award in 1990.

Following his freshman campaign, Jones was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 10th round (203rd overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.

Jones and his wife, Kimberlee ’95, a Cornell graduate, have a daughter, Gabrielle, and a son, Bryan.

As both Schafer and Jones, along with the staff, are fully focused on coaching and supporting the 2024-25 team and recruiting, there will be no immediate public recognition of Schafer’s planned May 2025 retirement, or of Jones’ projected succession. At the appropriate times, both of these events will be celebrated with the Big Red Hockey community.

(Photo provided by Cornell University Athletics/Alumni Dept.)

Amerks Introduce New Head Coach

By
Janet
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

The Rochester Americans introduced their 34th head coach Monday morning in former Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) General Manager and Head Coach Michael Leone (pronounced Lee-own-nee).

“I’m extremely grateful and humbled to be a part of the Buffalo Sabres organization as the next head coach of the Rochester Americans,” Leone said. “I want to thank Kevyn Adams and Jason Karmanos for giving me the opportunity to lead the organization and believing in me. I look forward to meeting everyone in the organization and helping our prospects continue to grow and develop on and off the ice.”

This marks Leone’s first head coaching stint in the American Hockey League. Before his two seasons with Green Bay, much like prior head coach Seth Appert, he had a three-year run as an assistant coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP), as well as brief stints at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Leone had a 66-41-10-7 record in his two seasons with Green Bay, leading the Gamblers to back-to-back 30-plus win seasons as well as consecutive playoff appearances for the first time in over a decade.

Leone played three years for the Western Michigan University before embarking on a four-year professional career in the ECHL split between the Kalamazoo Wings (2012-13) and Toledo Walleye (2014-17), along with one season overseas with Villard-de-Lans in France.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to get it, but it happened and I’m very grateful and I’m excited,” Leone said, who was expecting his first child any day now. “A lot of mixed emotions but I’m really excited for this next journey of my coaching career.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Mike to our organization and look forward to working with him as we continue to build a foundation of success in Rochester,” Amerks General Manager Jason Karmanos said. “Throughout the interview process, Mike differentiated himself from other candidates with his development background, inherent feel for the game, and growth mindset. I am confident in Mike’s leadership and ability to guide our players both on and off the ice, while continuing a culture in which players are proud to wear the Amerks sweater.”

(Photo provided by USA Hockey)

PWHL New York Names Former Colgate U Women’s Hockey Coach Greg Fargo as Head Coach

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Janet
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0

NEW YORK, NY – PWHL New York announced that Greg Fargo has been hired as the team’s head coach.  

Fargo joins PWHL New York from Colgate University where he has spent the past 12 seasons as head coach of the women’s hockey program. Prior to his time at Colgate, Fargo served as the head coach for the women’s hockey team at Elmira College. His all-time NCAA head coaching record sits at 334-170-39, which includes a 255-147-34 record at Colgate. 

“I am very proud to welcome Greg Fargo to our family,” said PWHL New York General Manager Pascal Daoust. “His track record of repeated successes and honors, both individually and through team victories and titles at Colgate, speaks for itself. The discipline and consistency demonstrated by his athletes on the ice reflect the high standards we aim to present to New York fans: a committed, dedicated group that competes with passion, focusing our collective efforts towards a single, unified goal.” 

A native of Kingston, ON, Fargo coached Colgate University to seven 20-win seasons, five NCAA tournament berths—including two Frozen Fours and one national championship appearance— 10 ECAC hockey tournament appearances and four ECAC Hockey championships. He was named the ECAC Coach of the Year in 2020-21.  

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to join PWHL New York and coach some of the best players in the world,” said Fargo. “This league is on an exciting trajectory, and I am eager to contribute to its growth and success. This is a great opportunity to continue to develop as a coach and pursue championships in the premier league of women’s hockey. I look forward to working with Pascal and the rest of the organization to build on the solid foundation already in place. The upcoming off-season is full of potential, and I can’t wait to get started.” 

During his tenure at Colgate, Fargo coached PWHL New York players Jessie Eldridge and Olivia Zafuto. He also coached Jaime Bourbonnais while serving as an assistant coach for Canada at the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship where they earned a silver medal.    

PWHL New York holds the first overall pick in the 2024 PWHL Draft, which is set to take place on Monday, June 10 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.  

East Berne, NY Native Finds A Home In Goal For Syracuse Orange

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Janet
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BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

It may have taken Allie Kelley four seasons (2019-23) to get to Syracuse University to play for the women’s D1 hockey team, but for the Orange it was worth the wait.

“She battled for us in every single game,” said Syracuse head coach, Britni Smith. “She faced a lot of pucks this season.

“She continually showed grit and resilience in the crease. She gave us a chance to win every night she played.”

Getting to play was something that didn’t happen in her first college stop at Quinnipiac. She had knee surgery in her freshman year and when she came back in her sophomore season she was the third-string goalie.

Following that sophomore season, Kelley transferred to Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. In two seasons there the goalie appeared in 67 of the team’s 71 games and setting the college’s save percentage record with a .939 mark.

From there it was on to Syracuse for her graduate season of hockey.

“She was someone we looked to a lot. She’s also a great student athlete. She does very, very well in the classroom and her IQ translates to her game.

“She leads by example in terms of her ability to warm-up properly, cool down properly, get good lifts for nutrition. She definitely demonstrates what it takes to be a good Division I athlete.”

So how did Kelley become a goalie?

“I began skating when I was about six,” recalled Kelley, a native of East Berne, NY.  “We had a pond out back of our home.

“I don’t exactly remember how I got started as a goalie. All I remember is that I tried it, did pretty good, and kept going.”

Kelley was quick to point out who the greatest influence in her hockey career was.

“It was my dad,” remarked Kelley of her dad, who played hockey at SUNY Potsdam. “He was my coach for most of my early life.”

Kelley played most of her youth hockey for the Bethlehem Eagles. Before moving on to college, she played for her Voorhoessville High School team as well as the Connecticut Jr. Eagles.

But playing for Syracuse wasn’t in her original plan. Kelley played those first two seasons of college hockey at Quinnipiac.

“I had just had knee surgery so I didn’t play that much my first season,” recalled Kelley, the daughter of Tim and Christine Kelley. “I thought I might play more my second season there, but that didn’t happen.

“So I transferred to St. Anselm and played two seasons there (2021-23). Unfortunately, they didn’t have a graduate program so I headed to Syracuse. It was also closer to home.”

With one year under her belt, Kelley is planning on coming back to play for the Orange next season. Would she like to stay in the game once her Syracuse days are behind her?

“Yes, I would like to stay with the sport in some way,” answered Kelley. “Maybe in some type of coaching. “

What kind of advice would Kelly give to any high school age girl looking to mix academics with hockey?

“Have a good work ethic,” said Kelley, who has two sisters, Camryn and Jayden and a brother, Mike. Jayden and Allie are twins and Jayden plays hockey (she is not a goalie) at SUNY Cortland. “Don’t give up. And reach out to coaches early because things can get pretty stressful.

“Academics are also important to me. I’m not quite sure what I will be doing outside of hockey.

“But the graduate program I’m in at Syracuse (Exercise Science) is helping me to find that.

“I’ll see what happens after next season.”

(Photos by Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)

Amerks Season Ends With Playoff Loss to Syracuse

By
Janet
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0

BY WARREN KOZIRESKI —

ROCHESTER, NY — Cole Koepke scored twice and Felix Robert had a three-point game as Syracuse never trailed in a 5-2 victory in the fifth and deciding game of their best-of-five North Division semi-final series with Rochester. The Crunch will face Cleveland in the division finals.

“I thought we gave ourselves a chance this week (rebounding from seeing a 3-0 third period lead disappear in game four in overtime); the guys were really dedicated to the process and being ready for the game and I think we were,” Syracuse head coach Joel Bouchard said.

“We talked about it, we looked at it and the guys reset and came on the road with a really good performance.”

Syracuse jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the first ten minutes on tallies by defenseman Max Crozier and Koepke, but Rochester  closed to gap to 2-1 as Jeremy Davies redirected a p[ass from defense partner Joeseph Cecconi (Youngstown) into the net at 17:33.

The Crunch regained their two-goal advantage at 8:35 of the second as rookie Walterri Merela scored, but Rochester again responded on the power play as Michael Mersch redirected a pass from Jurio Kulich into the net.

In the third Syracuse closed out the series with a pair of goals over the final 5:10 of the game by Koepke and an empty-netter from Robert to advance.

Rochester closes out their season after a strong finish to the regular season that enabled them to secure second place in the division, but now a premature finish after advancing to the Conference Finals last season.

Rochester goaltender Devon Levi made 15 saves on 19 shots in the contest but appreciated his first chance at professional playoff hockey.

“It’s been great (and) I’ve learned so much about myself, my teammates and my game, being a pro” Levi said. “It was a pleasure being herewith all my heart.

“This year has been a lot of chaos and my time in Rochester has been amazing…kind of a little bit calm to the storm. It’s hard that it’s gone.”

The Syracuse-Cleveland best-of-five series begins with games one and two in Cleveland starting Thu. May 16th with games three and four (if needed) in Syracuse Wed. May 22 and Fri. May 24.

Marielle McHale Finishes Outstanding Career For Syracuse U

By
Janet
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

When Marielle McHale was two years old she learned how to skate. About that same time her father, Michael, built a rink in the front yard of their home in Clifton Park, NY.

“He put me out there with a pair of skates and a white, plastic lawn chair and said ‘have at it.’ And I’ve been skating ever since.”

That start eventually led McHale to Syracuse University where she played six seasons for the women’s D1 hockey team.

Growing up in Clifton Park, McHale was surrounded by women’s collegiate hockey programs.

“I had a lot of role models to look up to when I was growing up,” recalled McHale, who began playing boys hockey for the Clifton Park Youth Hockey Association and then at age 11 switched over to girls hockey. “There were teams at Union College and RPI.

“I went to a lot of their games. I remember even coming to Syracuse when I was younger and playing in tournaments there.

“So it was kind of awesome when I ended up coming to Syracuse to play college hockey. It was like I had come full circle.”

When McHale was 14 she moved to Massachusetts where she attended boarding school at Williston Northhampton School. She played for club teams in Boston including the Boston Jr. Eagles and the Massachusetts Spitfires.

From there it was on to Syracuse U. And McHale will be the first to admit that it was quite a transition for her coming from high school hockey to college hockey.

“The players are a lot stronger and faster at the college level,” admitted McHale. “My freshman year was quite an adjustment for me.

“But I think it was for the best because it made me a better person. It made me realize what it takes to play, what I have to do on the ice and off it.

“It helped me realize what it takes to be a good teammate, be a good leader and making sure I’m being the best person that I can be.”

Although Syracuse head coach, Britni Smith has only coached McHale for two seasons, she has seen how the veteran forward has taken her role on the team seriously.

“Marielle is in her sixth year with the program and is someone who has been in the program for a long time,” remarked Smith. “I’ve only been able to work with her for two years.

“But within that time of two years, she has taken major strides, so I can only imagine in six years how far she has come.

“It’s so great to see someone from New York (State), so close to Syracuse, playing at Syracuse. She has really impacted the program and she wears a letter (A) for us.

“She’s played a pretty large role for us. She is one we have looked to for a lot of ways this season.”

Smith also talked about McHale’s role off the ice.

“She’s a great teammate and is someone who is always bringing a smile to her teammates face,” added Smith. “She is one, who this year took on a really large role in helping those younger players along.

“They (teammates) call her the ‘grandmother’ for a reason, but you definitely see her ability to be a mentor to those players.”

Now, with 165 games under her belt, which is a Syracuse record for career games played, her career Block S career behind her, what’s next for McHale?

“I would love to coach,” answered McHale. “I’ve always wanted to coach a high school team or even a college team.

“I think I have a good mind for it. I hope I can get into it.

“But I wouldn’t mind being an academic coordinator. I have my master’s in higher education. An academic coordinator helps players on college teams coordinate their schedules and are doing well academically.

“I think I would connect a lot better with athletes because I’ve experienced it. Academics have always been important to me, even back in my high school days.

“And in college I really learned how to balance academics with hockey.”

What kind of advice would McHale give to a high school student wanting to do what she has done?

“I think being the best person you can be is the most important,” answered McHale. “Keep working hard, asking questions and keep showing up no matter how things are going.

“Have a positive attitude as a teammate. Be engaging. Be positive. Coaches see that. Teammates see that.

“It will pay off.”

(Photos by Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)

Some Thoughts On The Hiring of Lindy Ruff

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Janet
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0

BY RANDY SCHULTZ –

It’s been two weeks since the Buffalo Sabres hired Lindy Ruff as their new head coach for the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season.

Using that opening line some Sabres fans would say it was a rehiring, not hired and not new head coach, but a former Sabres head coach brought back for a second time around.

There are hockey fans out there that like the hiring. There are others who think it’s bad, another former Sabres player, and in this case, coach brought back.

I have seen a lot of hiring and firing of Sabres coaches over the past 50-plus years of covering the team and the NHL. And over these past two week’s local hockey fans have asked my thoughts on the hiring.

I have to admit that listening to Sabres GM, Kevyn Adams the week before Ruff’s hiring, there was no doubt the type of head coach he was looking for fit Ruff. He wanted a coach that had NHL experience, along with some other qualifications.

Yes, there were maybe two or three other candidates out there. But when the final decision had to be made, it was Ruff.

I’m OK with Ruff’s hiring. This is not the same Lindy Ruff that was relieved of his Sabres coaching duties the first time.

Ruff has had a few more coaching experiences since his first Sabres coaching stint. He’s had stops in New York with the Rangers as an assistant coach, head coaching with the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.

And toss in an associate coaching assignment with Team Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Ruff grew as a coach with each stop. Like he said during his recent press conference he has a passion for hockey. He can’t get enough of the game. That’s why he is still in the game at 64.

Ruff seems to be the right coach to take the Sabres to the next level meaning: make the playoffs after missing them for the past 13 seasons.

Another key to Ruff’s hiring will be who is going to be hired as his assistants. Two of former head coach Don Granato’s assistant coaches are still with the Sabres. But it hasn’t been defined what their roles will be with the Sabres for the upcoming season.

Was Ruff’s hiring completed too soon after Granato’s firing? Not really. Decisions are going to have to be made over the next couple of months as to who will  or won’t be coming back to the Sabres next season.

The NHL Draft is coming. So is free-agency signings. Possible trades.

The Sabres need a head coach to be in place. The future success of the Sabres now falls directly on Ruff’s and Adams’ shoulders. What they do from this point on will determine the future of the team.

Stay tuned.

(Photos by NY Hockey OnLine)

Future Buffalo Sabres: Noah Ostlund

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Janet
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0

By Warren Kozireski —

The third of Buffalo’s three 2022 first round draft picks finally arrived in North America as Noah Ostlund joined the Rochester Americans late in the regular season and for their playoff run.

Going into the 2022 NHL Draft, Swedish forward Noah Ostlund was described as “the most prolific setup-man in the entire Swedish junior circuit” projected as a late first round selection, The Sabres chose him with the 16th overall pick sandwiched by Matt Savoie (9th) and Juri Kulich (28th).

Ostlund, playing on a line with fellow prospects Isak Rosen and Juri Kulich in the first round of the playoffs, played the final two regular season games registering an assist and scored his first goal in game one of the North Division semi-final series with Syracuse.

“(Fellow Swede Anton) Wahlberg and Ostlund are getting more accustomed every day in practice, every game at the lack of time and space and the physicality,” Rochester head coach Seth Appert said. “They’re both talented, smart young players and they’re making adjustments on the fly right now.

“They’re not physically ready to be physically demanding players right now…but they’re both doing a really good job right now.

“He’s not intimidated by physicality at all, he just needs to get used to the lack of time and space in North America. One thing he’s made the adjustment already—we talked after game one—in North America you have to take in more information before you get the puck. In Europe you can get the puck, slow it down and kind of navigate your way through…because it’s a little more soccer-like. In North America you need to scan and take in pre-information before you get the puck because, once you get it, your time is eliminated.

“He’s smart enough and already made that adjustment…so that allows him to find those plays. He’s a natural play-making center and it’s a lot to ask just coming over to North America and our centers are pretty good right now, so that’s why we slotted him on the wing.”

The 5’11”, 163 lb. center is playing wing as he adjusts to the larger ice. He has bounced around this season being loaned by Djurgårdens to Vaxjo in Sweden where he put up 23 points in 38 games. He also played for Team Sweden at the U-20 World Juniors where the assistant captain had ten points in seven games against his peers.

He was with Rochester last season during the postseason, but did not play, something he believes helped prepare him for this playoff run. He scored his first American Hockey League goal on the power play in his first playoff game on home ice against Syracuse.

“Good timing and a great win for us,” Ostlund said after the game. “I’m pretty used to playoffs right now because I’ve been playing playoffs for a while back in Sweden.

“(last year) I got to know all the guys, the staff and the city too, so it’s helped very much. What you see out there is how I am as a player and how I want to play. Couple more good chances that could have created more offense.”

Though he does not possess size, especially compared to those he is facing who are several years his senior, Ostlund is not afraid to go into the corners or the front of the net in the offensive zone.

“Try to hang on to the puck rather than shoot it away as early.”

And he has more than a few countrymen to help with his transition to North America in Isak Rosen, Linus Weissbach.

“I try my best and I think we have a lot of guys that can help…a lot of Swedes, Kulich can help them too and, of course, our veteran players are great at helping younger players,” Rosen said about the rookie.

“I think it’s easy to come into our group…and they’re (Ostlund & Wahlberg) trying their best to get to know everyone, so it’s been good.”

Experiencing what will likely be a full season in Rochester next season will further that acclimatization and give Buffalo’s front office and coaching staff a better read on what they have in the just turned 20-year-old.

(Photo by Koz/NY Hockey Online)

Amerks Come From Behind To Beat Syracuse In OT And Tie Series 2-2

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Janet
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0

BY WARREN KOZIRESKI —

Rochester overcame a 3-0 deficit with three, third period goals and won the game in overtime as Brett Murray, playing in his first game since April 3rd, banged in the rebound of a Mason Jobst shot to allow the Amerks to extend their best-of-five North Division semi-final series with Syracuse to a fifth game in Rochester Friday night.

The final 20 minutes of regulation was the Brandon Biro show as he redirected a pass from the right corner from defenseman Joseph Cecconi as he was standing backdoor just 19 seconds in.

Ten minutes later it was Lukas Rousek finding Cecconi standing at the far post to close the gap to 3-2 with a secondary assist from Biro. And Biro tied the game off a perfect pass from Rousek with 5:12 remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.

“It feels great to be back with my teammates,” Murray said. “We’ve created such a special bond here that watching my brothers fight without me was difficult.

“But getting back in the lineup today and winning in such dramatic fashion just brings us closer and it felt great to be back. Thank God it didn’t go any longer because it (his injury) might start feeling a little sore.”

Syracuse built a 3-0 lead over the first two periods and made it stand up in a xx-xx victory to take game four and the best-of-five North Division semi-final series three-games-one.

Cole Koepke redirected a point shot from Emil Lilleberg four minutes into eh contest and, after a Crunch goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference later in the period, netted two in the second period.

Rookie forward Waltteri Merela, who scored the game-winner in double-overtime in game three, scored his second of the series on a rebound from a Gage Goncalves shot at 3:53 of the second.

Syracuse got a power play goal from Alex Barre-Boulet at 7:02 to extend the lead to 3-0.

Rochester had their chances throughout with several players getting off shots while standing alone in front of the crease along with an extended second period power play, but Syracuse netminder Brandon Halverson stopped them all.

Until the third period.

“You work all year for moments like that and we’re not out of it until zeros hit the clock and it’s nice to change the roles a little bit because they’ve come back on us a few times this year when we were up a few goals, so it definitely feels nice to be on the other end of that,” Biro said.

“It would have been easy being defeatist going into the third and we weren’t at all tonight,” Rochester head coach Seth Appert said.

Game five is Fri. May 10th at 7pm in Rochester with the winner to face the victor of the Cleveland-Belleville series in the division finals.

Levi Makes 60 Saves In 2-1 Amerks Double OT Loss

By
Janet
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0

BY WARREN KOZIRESKI —

SYRACUSE, NY — Syracuse rookie forward Waltteri Merela scored the double overtime game-winning goal on a breakaway after a turnover at the offensive blueline by Rochester rookie forward Anton Wahlberg at 10:18 of the fifth period to give Syracuse a 2-1 victory over Rochester and a two-games-to-one advantage in their best-of-five Morth Division semi-final series.

Three of the last four playoff games between the two teams have needed overtime to settle.

Ales Barre-Boulet broke up the scoreless tie staking the Crunch a 1-0 lead at 11:10 of the second period redirecting a point shot from Declan Carlile.

Eight minutes later, Rochester’s Isak Rosen was awarded a penalty shot and converted to tie the 1-1 and it stayed that way through the third period and the first overtime.

Rochester goaltender Devon Levi made a professional career high 60 saves in the loss.

“Once before I think when I was playing midget hockey,” Levi said about his save total. “You can’t control outcomes; you can only control the process. It’s a loss, but the series is not over, so as much it sucks losing in double-overtime, let’s hit the repeat button and the outcome might change.”

“We didn’t have enough looks, but we had good looks in overtime,” Rochester head coach Seth Appert said. “We’ve won series’ the past couple years with our backs against the wall on the road in hard environments and this team has a ton of resilience.

Game four is Saturday night in Syracuse and game five, if needed, is in Rochester Fri. May 10th.

(Photo by Janet Schultz Photography/NY Hockey OnLine)

New York Raptors Report

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Janet
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By Michael Meyers —

The New York Raptors hosted the 2024 Winter Classic back on Sunday, April 6 at the Playland Rink in Rye, NY. The Winter Classic is a big event for the Raptors because it is the team’s fundraiser.

The Raptors lost to the Central Park North Stars, 10-5. But the day was still a great event for everyone.

Admission was free for the event, with opening ceremonies beginning at 1 p.m. The days festivities ended at 5 p.m.

Special guest for the Winter Classic was former New York Rangers player, Tom Laidlaw. Laidlaw played for both the Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings. Following his retirement as a player, Laidlaw became a color commentator for the Kings radio broadcasts.

Today, Laidlaw operates a sports management company in Rye Brook, NY. He is also a motivational speaker.

As part of the festivities for the day raffles were held as well as a chuck-a-puck event during the hockey game.

The Raptors would like to thank everyone who helped out with and attended their Winter Classic.

(Photo provided by the New York Raptors)

   

Marty Biron Key Speaker For Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame Ceremony Coming on Saturday, May 4

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Janet
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The 2024 Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 4 at the Cornerstone Arena in Lockport, NY. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the ceremony to celebrate the ninth class being inducted beginning at 8 p.m.

Eighteen players, coaches and contributors will be inducted. Food and drink will be served before and after the ceremony.

The keynote speaker will be Marty Biron. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 1995 NHL Draft, Biron spent the first half of his 16-year NHL career with the Sabres.

Biron, along with Rob Ray, were one of the Sabres against who, in the NHL, made a specific rule. After NHL statisticians discovered a big in their new stat-racking software, the “Biron Rule” restricted jersey numbers to who numbers between 1 and 99.

Biron has always been and remains a fan favorite in Buffalo. He currently works as the game day studio analyst with the Sabres on the MSB Network. He also stars on the popular Buffalo sports show, “Sabres Live,” with Brian Duff on WGR550.

Marty was inducted into the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame in 2018 and currently resides with his family in East Aurora.

Tickets are $35 each presale or $300 for a table of 10. Tickets can be purchased at Howell Motors Ford or Cornerstone Arena.

Inductees include:

Players:
Todd R. Richards
Michael Gagliardi Jr.
Rick Rosetti
Brian Smith “Smitty”
Adam Page
Brian Bremer
Chris Gagliardi
Jonathan Reid

Coaches:
Harold E. McNitt
Frank J. Vecchio

Contributors:
Edward F. Wright Sr.
Norm Page
Sherry McNitt Silcox
Dr. Vincent A. Rosselli
John Taylor Whitmore
Lockport Amateur Hockey Association
John Bernardi
Keith Edwin Chamberlain

2024 NHL Draft Final Rankings

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Janet
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By Warren Kozireski —

NHL Central Scouting released their final rankings for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft to be held in Las Vagas June 28-29 at The Sphere and three players hailing from New York State dot the lists of 224 North American skaters or 32 North American goaltenders.

U.S. National team Development Program goaltender John (Jack) Parsons is the 13th rated goaltender falling from sixth at midterm. The 6’4”, 185 lb. from Ithaca is committed to play at Providence in 2024 or 2025 and has played in a combined 27 games with 14 wins  as of mid-January. In 14 games he sports a 4.13 GAA during the USHL portion of the schedule with an .854 save percentage with better stas in 31 other games this past season. He is currently part of Team USA for the U-18 tournament taking place in Finland where he played in one of the first three games—an 8-2 victory over Norway.

Falling from 83rd at midterm to 140th among N.A. skaters is 5’11”, 185 lb. Providence University freshman forward Tanner Adams. The Northport native spent two seasons with Tri-City in the USHL and was a freshman with Providence this year where he finished second on the team in scoring with six goals and 15 assists in 35 games with the Friars.

Ranked 120th among N.A. skaters at midterm and 167th in the final is Rye’s Drew Dellasalla, a 6’0”, 170 lb. New York City native who is skating with Omaha in the USHL. The 2025 Harvard commit had 24 points over 57 games in his first year in the USHL with Omaha after he put up 44 points in 31 games with the Brunswick School last season.

Syracuse Tops Rochester In OT To Even Series

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Janet
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BY WARREN KOZIRESKI —

Syracuse scored three of their four goals on faceoff plays, including the last at 10:56 of overtime, to defeat Rochester 4-3 and even their best-of-five series at one game each with game three in Syracuse Thursday.

The Amerks led 2-0 as Michael Mersch netted a first period power play goal and Linus Weissbach scored in the second period, but Syracuse used a final-minute tally in the second by Jordy Bellerive to build momentum heading into the third period.

Gage Goncalves redirected a point shot at 4:59 and defenseman Sean Day gave the Crunch a 3-2 lead at 9:03 before Rochester forward Mason Jobst was able to tie contest 3-3 at 16:06 after a long head-man pass off the boards by defenseman Ethan Prow—one of just four shots on goal the Amerks managed over the final 20 minutes of regulation.

After a controversial icing call on the Amerks in overtime, Gabriel Fortier won the face-off and redirected defenseman Declan Carlile’s shot past Rochester goaltender Devon Levi for the game-winner.

“Terrible call…clear as day,” Rochester head coach Seth Appert said about the icing call in overtime. “You can hear it (Tyson Kozak tipping the puck at center ice) from the bench. It’s not why we lost…we gave up three face-off goals tonight and our centers need to do a better job.”

“Tough one to swallow for myself, especially because I took the draw,” Jobst said. “I take a lot of pride in trying to win those especially at critical times.

“There are a lot of swings when we play these guys, we’re so evenly matched. I think that’s the way the series is going to continue to go and we just gotta manage the puck and try to limit as many of the swings in their direction as we possibly can.”

20 of Syracuse’s 34 shots on goal came after the second period.

After Thursday’s game three, the Crunch will host game four Saturday night and game five, if needed, will be in Rochester on Fri. May 10th.

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