Recapping Yesterday’s games
Division I
Canisius 8, Frontier 1
The Crusaders remain atop Division I with a blowout win over the Falcons. John Dubiel and Ryan Lashinger each had a pair of goals. Sammy Nichols picked up four assists. Jaden Riley, Mike Lafferty, Ryan Coyne and Jack Cleary also scored for Canisius.
Nate Dolan accounted for the Frontier goal.
Division II
Hamburg 8, Lockport-Niagara Falls 1
Leadership isn’t about how many goals or assists one might have or how many saves they make. It’s not about who is the most vocal or can make the best speech.
True leadership is about inspiration.
Last season in Hamburg’s 5-1 win over West Seneca West, Luke Wojnicki gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “taking one for the team.”
With about five minutes left in the game, Wojnicki took a hard hit that resulted in a major penalty on the Indians.
Wojnicki, with his helmet all crooked, went back to his bench where he was greeted with jubilation by his teammates after putting himself on the line for the team.
That night the Bulldogs awarded Wojnicki with the ‘Golden Skate’ after the game for his act of bravery.
His inspiration was why, despite only having two assists all of last season, Wojnicki was chosen by his teammates as an assistant captain for the Bulldogs this year.
“Being named an assistant captain meant a lot because I’m not the guy who scores a lot of points,” Wojnicki said. “They trust me to be a leader.”
Monday night Wojnicki got the ‘Golden Skate’ again, but this time it was for scoring his first Federation goal, which turned into the first goal of his hat-trick, as the Bulldogs picked up their fourth-straight win.
“It’s a pretty special moment,” Wojnicki said. “I got a lot of pucks and my linemen were finding me well today. I give them a lot of credit.”
After the game, Hamburg coach John McFall described Wojnicki as a “role player” who is always willing to put himself on the line for his team.
“The guys rally around him,” McFall said. “To see him get a hat-trick today; every single guy was bursting for him. That’s pretty special to see a guy like that, get something like that.”
The Bulldogs are tied for second place in Division II, after suffering tough losses to Bishop Timon and Kenmore West to start out before getting on their current hot streak.
Last year, Hamburg was 2-2 going into the Holiday break but had troubling putting wins together after the calendar turned.
Wojnicki is hoping that with more experience the Bulldogs can change their fate this season.
“I think last year we had a lot of young guys and I think that played a role,” Wojnicki said. “This year we have to capitalize on those wins. The biggest thing is everyone contributes.”
Hamburg has been getting a boost in net with Jake Hutchison taking over full-time. So far, the senior has 93 saves and a 2.02 GAA.
“My mindset is that this might be my last year of hockey,” Hutchinson said. “I want to make the best of it.”
That same mentality seems to be shared by the 16 seniors on the roster.
“Having these kids who were juniors last year, most of them brand new to Fed, it took a while to adjust,” McFall said. “Now that they’re seniors they know that this is their last year of competitive hockey so they have a lot of pride in the team.”
Non-League
Kenmore West 15, Amherst 1
The Blue Devils continued their winning ways getting their sixth win in a row. Michael Barker led the way with four goals while Joe Collesano netted a hattrick. Dylan Speck and Gavin Piehler scored two goals each. Drew Rasulo had four assists. Ethan Yotter finished with four points.
Phillip Abbott, Luke Bailey and Drew Rasulo also scored for Ken West.
Charles Sinagra netted the lone goal for The Tigers.
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