Lew-Port Hockey is looking up this winter after a decent season last year. The Lancers will look to build on last year’s record (7-9-1-2 overall, 6-9-0-1 league). In the sectional tournament, they pulled off the upset win against Williamsville South, 7-5, in the pre-quarterfinal round but fell to Williamsville East, 9-1, in the quarterfinals.
The Lancers said goodbye to eight seniors, but Coach Kevin Kirsch does not anticipate a lapse in leadership. This year, there are eleven seniors on the roster. Kirsch thinks this will help to set the example for underclassmen and will give them an edge over their opponents. On top of those eleven seniors, Lew-Port has a lot of depth which will enable them to push the pace of play.
Top returning scorers include Joey Zachary (2nd team D3, Bowman Cup Selection), Peter Spameni (2nd team D3), and Jack Evert (2nd team D3). Both Tyler Stevenson and Andrew Hanna return at goalie. Also, look for good defensive play from Lucas Eoute and Jeffrey Hyde (2nd team D3).
Lew-Port also adds a new assistant coach in Max Hyland. Hyland had a great career as a defenseman on the Niagara University club hockey team, and is looking forward to helping Kirsch make this team a sectional title contender.
In hockey, every game is important, because they will play each small school team once. That means that every game factors into sectional seeding. Kirsch also decided to challenge his team with three non-league games against Section V opponents, which he says will be a good test for his players. This postseason, look for Lew-Port to make a deep run in small school sectionals and be a competitor for the Section VI title.
SCHEDULE:
12/2 vs Frontier @ Dwyer Arena – 8:35pm
12/6 vs Lockport @ Cornerstone Arena – 6:20pm
12/9 vs Will-South @ Dwyer Arena – 8:35pm
12/14 vs Amherst @ Northtown Center – 4:10pm
12/15 vs Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake @ Northtown Center – 11:00am
12/20 vs West Seneca West @ West Seneca Ice Rink – 7:45pm
12/22 vs Lockport @ Dwyer – 6:50pm
12/29 vs Rush Henrietta @ Hyde Park – 12:00pm
1/3 vs Starpoint @ Cornerstone Arena – 6:20pm
1/6 vs Sweet Home @ Dwyer Arena – 8:35pm
1/8 vs North Tonawanda @ Hockey Outlet Rink 1 – 8:35pm
1/12 vs Depew @ Buff State – 1:10pm
1/13 vs Hamburg @ Dwyer Arena – 8:35pm
1/16 vs Iroquois @ Dwyer Arena – 8:15pm
1/25 vs Williamsville East @ Northtown Center – 2:40pm
1/27 vs Grand Island @ Dwyer Arena – 8:35pm
2/3 vs West Seneca East @ Dwyer Arena – 8:35pm
2/10 vs Kenmore West @ Dwyer Arena – 8:35pm
2/16 vs Kenmore East @ Buff State – 1:10pm