|
Central, Depew continue torrid play in Small Schools Hockey League
Even though both teams fell short in a highly competitive Cheektowaga Christmas Club Hockey Tournament, Cheektowaga Central and Depew remain front-runners in the Small Schools East and West divisions, respectively.
The Warriors (16-6-2 overall, 7- 0-1 in league play) and Wildcats (14- 3-3 overall, 6-0-2 in league play) each lost to tournament runner-up West Seneca West by 4-3 scores, as Central lost in the semifinals and Depew fell in the quarterfinals. It was the first time in four years that the Warriors did not advance to the tournament championship.
North Tonawanda defeated West Seneca West in the championship.
During the round-robin event during Christmas weekend, Central defeated St. Francis, 3-2, Kenmore East 8-2, and Lancaster, 2-1, before succumbing to the Indians. On December 22, the Warrors edged league opponent Starpoint, 5-3.
Senior forward Dennis Lark was solid during the tournament, tallying four goals and one assist. Other key contributers included senior defenseman Adam Bobeck (two goals, five helpers), junior forward Tom Leone (three goals, two assists), junior defenseman Tyler Rudick (three assists) and forwards Josh Burgett, Vinny Lombardo and Brendan Hammer (two goals apiece).
Against Starpoint, Central rallied from a 2-0 deficit, as Lark recorded one goal and three assists. Leone (one goal, two helpers), Burgett (three assists) and Bobeck (two goals) also had multi-point games.
In a 4-1 win against St. Joe's "B" over holiday break, Lark, Leone, Hammer and Tom Mahoney each hit the back of the net.
Central returns to action at Depew Ice Rink against Lewiston-Porter, with face-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Depew went 2-1-1 in the tourney, including a 7-2 rout of Jamestown in the opener. Junior forward Chris Kendall led the Wildcats in tournament scoring, tallying four goals and six assists. Other top scorers included senior forward John Leistner (three goals, five helpers), junior forward Alfredo Scarpone (three goals, four assists) and junior defenseman Dan Gorski (two goals, five assists), as well as Danny Giumpa and Pat Gillen, who each added three goals and two assists. Jeremy Kroll recorded one goal and five helpers.
On December 19, Depew (5-0-2 in league play) hammered Small Schools opponent Tonawanda, 15- 2, as eight Wildcats recorded multipoint games. Kendall led the way with two goals and four assists, while the following Depew players also lit up the scoresheet: Scarpone (three goals, two assists), Giumpa (two goals, three assists), Leistner (two goals, two assists), Kyle Polanski (two goals, two helpers), Joey Giumpa (four assists), Leair (two goals, one assist) and Kroll (one goal, one assist).
Depew outshot Tonawanda, 50- 12, as goaltender Shane Cameron earned the win between the pipes.
Other recent league wins for the 'Cats included an a 5-1 victory against St. Mary's of Lancaster on December 22 and an 8-2 thumping of St. Joe's "B" on December 26.
Leistner and Scarpone each recorded one goal and one assist against St. Mary's, while Kendall added two helpers. Cameron made 18 saves between the pipes. Junior Alex Zack scored the only goal for the Lancers.
St. Mary's head coach Rich Ineson said it will be difficult for anyone to overtake Depew in league play this season.
"Depew is the class of the Small Schools Division," Ineson told the Times. "They're right up there with Cheektowaga."
Kendall contributed a hat trick against St. Joe's, also adding a pair of assists. Leistner added one goal and two assists, while Polanski hit the back of the net twice. Scarpone contributed one goal and three helpers, as Cameron stopped 20 shots in net.
The Lancers (2-3-1 in the Small Schools West Division) went 1-1-1 in the Cheektowaga Christmas Tourney, earning an impressive 4-3 win against Lancaster before dropping a 4-3 decision to St. Joe's "A." St. Mary's also tied Orchard Park.
Against the Redskins, junior goaltender Luke Cellino was solid between the pipes, keeping St. Mary's in the game before the Lancers rallied from a 3-2 deficit heading into the third period.
St. Mary's lost to league foe Lewiston-Porter last weekend at Niagara University, 5-0.
Depew will face City Honors on the road Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Maryvale finishes 2-1-1
in Cheektowaga Tourney
Although it fell short in the quarterfinals of the Cheektowaga Christmas Tournemant, Maryvale still had a strong showing, defeating large school Williamsville North (2- 1) and tying McKinley (3-3) before losing to Lockport 3-0.
Against North, Kyle Gmerek scored the game-winning goal with 3:55 remaining. Forward Dustin Krawczyk was a hero against McKinley, scoring the game-tying goal with one second remaining.
Goaltender Ian Hurtubise stopped 19 shots against North to earn the win.
Maryvale also went 2-1 in three recent games in less than a week against league foe Olean, beating the Huskies 4-2 and 7-0 before suffering a 7-3 defeat Sunday on the road.
In two wins against Olean, forward Aaron Wanat and Aaron Garland each scored three goals, while defenseman Kyle McQuaid added one goal and two assists. Kyle Gmerek recorded one goal and one helper, and defenseman Tom Brado assisted on three goals.
Maryvale (5-6-2 overall, 3-5-1 in league play) will face Tonawanda at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Cheektowaga Recreation Center.
In other local action, Cleveland Hill/John F. Kennedy (1-7-2 in the Southtowns High School Club Hockey League) lost to league opponents St. Francis and West Seneca West over break. The Highlanders return to action Sunday at Leisure Rinks against East Aurora at 7:15 p.m.
| 
