MARAUDERS BEAT QUAKERS, READY THEMSELVES FOR PLAYOFFS

The St. Joseph’s Marauders went into the Buffalo State Ice Arena and defeated the Orchard Park Quakers 1-0 on Sunday, but two other items were on their agendas.

The first was setting their focus on their upcoming playoff run and defending their state crown. The second was getting some rest.

After a stretch that saw the Marauders play three games in three nights – and coming out unscathed in each – the team went into their Sunday matchup looking to take care of business and win another battle. Mission accomplished, according to Marauders coach Richard Crozier.

“It’s a great win for us,” Crozier said. “We got home last night from our tournament in Messina, and this was our fourth game in four days, so it was a real gutsy effort by us. We were tired, but we just fought against our lack of energy and still outworked them. I’m really proud of the boys in that locker room.”

Following a first period in which the Marauders dominated – outshooting the Quakers 12-4 – senior Seth Glanowski broke the scoreless tie with 4:23 to go in the second. Nate Berke and Jordan Weigland assisted on Glanowski’s tally.

The Marauders closed the game out with solid defensive play and good goaltending. Donovan Boshier recorded 19 saves to pick up the shutout, and the team’s effort on the forecheck did not go unnoticed.

“We pinned them down low and they had a hard time breaking out on us,” Crozier said. “I would have liked to have seen us get the puck to the net a little bit more, but if this were a football game, we would have won the time of possession battle. In that department, we were great. So we really limited their chances by moving the puck well.”

Beating Orchard Park – who gave the Marauders their sole loss this year – provided the team a small sense of satisfaction, but St. Joe’s knew they had bigger fish to fry.

“Orchard Park was the only team we lost to this season, so this second go-around with them was really important to us,” Crozier said. “However, the only thing we did today was prove to each other that we can be great. That comes with great responsibility and high expectations.

“Our ultimate goal is to repeat as state champions. We’ll get back to practice and I’m confident that we’ll continue to get better and we hope we’re peaking at the right time.”

Glanowski agreed.

“We just have to keep the momentum rolling,” Glanowski said. “I think as long as we provide a good effort, everything else will fall into place. For us seniors, this is really our last crack at a title, so we can’t leave anything in the tank.”