Spartans, Legends Punch “Super Monday” Ticket

It was an action packed evening Tuesday at the Harborcenter as the four remaining Large Schools in Federation hockey went toe-to-toe in hopes of reaching a spot on the Super Monday card at Key Bank Center next week.

Spartans Prevail

Williamsville North took down the Niagara Falls Wolverines 5-0 to reach the finals for their fourth straight year in a row. Griffin Green recorded a hat trick and Jake Zurat stopped 12 shots to earn their second playoff win.

“Our guys stuck to the game plan and did what they needed to do tonight” coach Bob Rosen said of his Spartans. “Scoring the first goal was obviously big for us. Their goalie has been really good as of late and that was a concern so it was good to get one by him early.”

The Wolverines earned a trip to the semi-finals after defeating the 2nd seeded Orchard Park Quakers on Saturday. It was a huge upset that sent shock waves throughout the State. “That win gave us all sorts of confidence and a belief that we could play with anybody” Falls coach Stan Wojton said Tuesday. “Sis (goaltender Pat Sisler) has been a great role-model for our guys. He missed all of last year with an injury and never said a word, never complained. He was at every practice and game to support his teammates. When you talk about character guys, he embodies that label.”

Sisler was the best player on the ice once again for the Wolverines stopping 43 shots against the No. 4-ranked team in the state.

“He’s a great goaltender, we knew we needed to put a lot of shots on goal” Spartans forward Green said.

Zurat didn’t face a ton of pressure but still earned his second straight shutout for the Spartans. “The guys in front are doing a great job in our zone and have made my job easier” Zurat said after Tuesday’s win.

Lancaster Makes School History

The Lancaster Legends received a goal and an assist from Chris Blachowski as they defeated Niagara-Wheatfield 3-1 in the late game. The Legends are headed to the Section VI large school finals for the first time since joining the Fed.

Lancaster took a 2-0 lead into the 3rd period but gave one away late to the Falcons while short-handed. Zack Belter’s blast from the point helped shift the momentum in Niagara Wheatfield’s favor. The Falcons however could not keep the pressure up on Lancaster and allowed an empty netter with 51 seconds left that sent the Legends student section into a frenzy.

Dom Tallarico made 23 saves in his final game between the pipes for Niagara Wheatfield. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I mean, it seems like we should be playing Monday but it just didn’t work out that way” Tallarico said after the loss.

“I was real proud of our hockey team, we never quit” said NW coach Rick Wrazin. “We killed a four-minute penalty against a very good power play. Then we scored and it woke the boys up.” Wrazin continued “Lancaster played great, we just didn’t play with the same urgency tonight.”

The Legends will now face Williamsville North at Key Bank Center for Super Monday Feb. 27th.