Klimowicz Leads FLOP to WNY Girls Fed Hockey Championship

For years Bob Klimowicz was the face of the Frontier Boys Varsity hockey program. But after 17 seasons behind the Falcons bench he decided to give the girls league a shot. It was a successful transition on every level.

On Sunday Klimowicz and the Frontier/Lake Shore/Orchard Park (FLOP) team captured the 2016-17 WNY Girls Federation Championship. The FLOP scored four goals to defeat Williamsville 4-2 at the HarborCenter.

“As I told the team on that first day, the biggest thing is developing that repertoire with me and with them” Klimowicz said after addressing his team in the locker room following the on-ice celebration. “We have girls from 7th grade through 12th here and they all treat each other with respect, that’s huge.”

The FLOP and the ‘Ville played to a scoreless tie in the opening period. The best scoring chance in the first came off the stick of Jessica Peters from the FLOP while on a breakaway. Her shot just went over the net for the FLOP while Holly Schmelzer served a hooking minor for Williamsville.

FLOP outshot the ‘Ville 8-3 after 15 minutes. In the second, Brooke Becker scored the first of her 2 goals just fourteen seconds in. Peters and Frangelica Bautz picked up the assists. The goal seemed to energize the Section VI champions as they continued to pressure Williamsville deep in their own zone.

During the regular season meetings Williamsville defeated the FLOP twice and tied with them in their final meeting. The FLOP knew they were capable of beating the ‘Ville, having had leads in all three previous match-up’s. “Last time we tied them I remember that feeling” FLOP goaltender Maggie Spyche said “so the next time we played them I just wanted to pound them. I was so ready.”

Spyche backstopped a great game despite surrendering two late goals to Williamsville. Leah Czerwinski the ‘Ville’s best player scored both goals in the 3rd period to give her teammates hope. “After the 1st goal we got all the momentum and then after the 2nd I told the bench we got this.” Unfortunately for the ‘Ville time ran out for them and an incredible, undefeated team in the regular season could not transfer that success to the post-season.

“We felt good that it was zero-zero after the first we were being dominated” Williamsville coach Rick Hopkins said. “Jenna (Lukomski) was excellent, what can you say, she stopped two breakaway’s and made some low pad saves. She made some late saves as well to give us a chance.” The ‘Ville goaltender faced 22 shots and made 18 saves.

Megan Roche and Sirena Fitzery also scored for the FLOP while Victoria Mariano, Emily Kromer and Gabby DeMeo chipped in with assists along the way.

“Our team is really awesome, me and Mary (younger sister) we talk about the games and we know what to expect. She knows what I’m doing and I know what she is doing.” Emily said. “The chemistry both on and off the ice with our teammates you don’t always find on teams, it was really easy to talk to them (teammates). As the season grew we became a family. I am so glad we came. As you can see on the ice if you mess with one you mess with the whole team.” The Kromer sisters attend Lake Shore and merged with Frontier and Orchard Park this season. Mary, just a freshman quickly became a league scoring machine, tallying 18 to lead the FLOP. Roche, a senior from Frontier who played in her final game led the team in scoring with 34 points.

During the 2nd intermission Becker was named to the All-WNY Girls Fed 1st team as a defenseman. “Not enough words to describe what I’m feeling” Becker said after the game. “We weren’t cocky just confident. There were a little nerves playing in front of so many people but that went away. When we got back in the locker room we all started screaming and drinking water out of the trophy, it was so cool.”

The FLOP return 16 players next season while the ‘Ville lose Czerwinski and Maggie Fuzak. So you can expect both clubs to be back in contention this time next year.