Photo Credit to Tim Kenyon
In the battle of the Federation’s newest team and one of its charter members, the Williamsville East Flames showed that being there before makes a difference.
Seniors Sam Pastore and Sean MacLeay each had a pair of goals as the Flames outpaced the newcomer Starpoint Spartans 5-4 in the Section VI Boys Federation Hockey Small School pre-quarterfinals on Friday night at the Northtown Center.
First time for everything: It was the first ever playoff game for Starpoint as they joined the Federation this season. They finish the season with a record 7-7-1-2 and ended up in sixth place in Division 2, which earned them the eighth seed in the Small School playoffs.
Keeping it close: The two sides split the season series and both games had a one-goal margin.
Undoing the streak: The Flames came into Friday night’s game after losing four straight. Their last win was a 3-2 victory over Starpoint on Jan. 28.
Right place, Right time: The Spartans took advantage of their first power play. Braden Dewey found Kyle Woodard alone and he fired it in the bottom right just four minutes into the game.
Waved off: Williamsville East appeared to have scored two minutes later when Eric Metz came in on a breakaway. The puck crossed the line, but they had already blown the whistle.
In the crease: East’s Chris Coyle found his way to the front of the crease and shot a loose puck in to tie the game at one at the end of the first.
Crash and Burn: The Will East forwards crashed the Spartans’ net and batted the puck until it went in. MacLeay was credited with the goal.
Pastorealism: Sam Pastore heated up in the second period with back-to-back goals for the Flames only 14 seconds apart. The first came on a backhand shot that found its way in the net. The second goal was a quick shot by the senior. The burst of energy gave the Flames a 4-1 lead with nine minutes left in the second.
Good call coach: Starpoint coach Clayton Wilson called a timeout after the Flames fourth goal. Whatever he said appeared to help as his team came back with two goals of their own.
Quick work: Tommy Mazgai poked the puck in for Starpoint’s third goal just a minute after the timeout.
More poking: The Spartans made the score 4-3 as Mike Jozwiak knocked the loose puck with six minutes left in the second.
Getting there first: MacLeay put home the wraparound to open the scoring in the third.
Take your shots: Josh Wildt shot it in short side to make it 5-4. Mazgai set it up with a breakaway chance, the puck was left out in the open and Wildt put in the second rebound.
Bobbing for Apples: Metz totaled three assists for the Flames.
Other Fed action: Owen Green and Michael Barker each had a pair of goals in the proceeding game as the Kenmore West Blue Devils trounced the Amherst Tigers 10-1. The Blue Devils play No. 3 West Seneca West in the Small School quarterfinals on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Northtown Center.
Lew-Port picked up a 2-1 playoff win over Hamburg in the early game Friday. The Lancers will next play No. 1 seed West Seneca East on Sunday at 1pm.
Ryan Russell scored both goals for Lew-Port.
Next: Will-East will take on No. 2 Grand Island in the Small School quarterfinals on Sunday at 3 p.m. back at the Northtown Center. The Flames split the season series with Grand Island.