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Depew Stars hockey opens season 3-3
Although the weather is warm and the sun is shining, that doesn't mean hockey is taking a back seat to baseball and other summer sports, at least at Holiday Twin Rinks on Broadway.
The High School Stars Summer League recently kicked off its season, and Depew split its first six games, going 3-3. The team, which plays in the West Division, is comprised of 11 Depew players, as well as four from Maryvale and seven from other area schools, including St. Francis.
Depew, which advanced to the championship game last season before losing to St. Joe's, opened its season with a 6-3 loss to Lockport. A trio of juniors-to-be- Ryan Sobkowiak, Nick Celej and Alfredo Scarpone- each scored one goal.
The locals bounced back with a 3-1 win against Batavia, as seniors T.J. Pilarz, John Leistner and Adam Kapowicz tallied one goal apiece. Leistner and sophomore Mike Fusani each assisted on two goals in a 4-3 win against the Crusaders, as Sobkowiak scored once and St. Francis players Kevin Gormley and Adam Handley combined to hit the back of the net three times.
Freshman goaltender Shane Cameron earned a shutout in a 7-0 win against Eden/Lake Shore, as the following players scored single markers: Pilarz, Kapowicz, Scarpone, Handley, Kyle Gmerek (Maryvale junior), Paul Stanek (junior) and James McAllister.
Handley scored a pair of goals in a 5-4 loss to St. Mary's, as Gormley, as well as his younger brother, Brian, each tallied one. Leistner added one assist.
Depew also dropped a 9-4 decision to Kenmore, as Brian Gormley led the way with two goals, while Leistner and Stanek each added a single marker.
The locals return to action Saturday at Holiday Twin Rinks for an 8:15 p.m. game against the Chiefs. Depew also plays a handful of games at Leisure Rinks in Orchard Park.
The team is coached by Randy Davey, who also coaches Depew's winter club hockey squad.
In other local hockey news, former Cheektowaga Central club hockey star Matt Bessing is coming off a season in which he helped lead his junior hockey team in St. Louis to a national championship. Warriors head coach Steve Ferrentino said that Bessing will return for another season of junior hockey and could play hockey at Canisius College eventually.
Also, current Central seniors Rob Szymkowiak and Jared Fischer will also probably play junior hockey next season, with Szymkowiak heading to the Buffalo Junior Sabres, according to Ferrentino.
Depew Stars' June schedule
June 9 vs. Chiefs
June 15 vs. Orchard Park
June 22 vs. St. Joe's
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