Although it was a disappointing result, the weekend in Marlborough, MA was still a success in many ways. There were long stritches of quality play from the Big Green, and the team is beginning to find it’s identity as a group. A 2-1 finish in round robin play was not enough to advance, the team battled through adversity and left the weekend in a better place than where they started.
Skipjacks 4, Nichols 1 – Game 1 of the weekend put the Big Green up against a 4-0 York Skipjacks team of teh USPHL. The skipjacks built a 2-0 lead just before the half despite some quality play from the Vinkings squad. Penalties in the final third of the game found Nichols falling behind at 4-0 before Tom Elia (Sr/99, Lewiston) would find the back of the net on the power play for his first goal of the season. Josh Graziano (Jr/00, Clarence) made 18 saves on the day.
Nichols 6, Rochester 1 – Nichols would rebound later in the day with an improved effort against another USPHL team walking away with a 6-1 victory. Cole Donhauser (Jr/99, Kenmore) opened the scoring with one of his two goals on the evening. Bryan Bylsma (Sr/99, Buffalo) extended the lead to 2-0 shortly after. The game would open up in the finals third of the game. Rochester found the net to close the gap to 2-1, but Steve Senese (Sr/99, Niagara Falls) and Dylan Lugris (Fr/01, Buffalo) scored goals 40 seconds apart to take control of the scoreboard. Donhauser would add his second of the game and Charlie Carlson (Sr/98, Orchard Park) would complete the scoring with a shorthanded tally. Robbie Nuchereno (So/01, Clarence) made 17 saves on the day.
Nichols 5, Ct. Jr Rangers 4 – Although the play was not indicative of the score, the Vikings pulled out a tight 5-4 victory against their third USPHL opponent of the weekend. It was all Nichols early as Lucas Herrmann (Jr/00, Lancaster) opened the scoring in the first shift followed by a Steve Senese (Sr/99, Niagara Falls) strike in the third shift. Cole Donhauser (Jr/99, Kenmore) would quickly extend the lead to 3-0 follwed by another by Dylan Lugris (Fr/01, Buffalo) to make it 4-0. The Rangers would battle back amd make it a 4-3 game but Senese would add his second of the game to take control once again. The Rangers would adda late goal to make it interesting but the defense held up and Nichols claimed victory for the third time this season. Josh Graziano (Jr/00, Clarence) made 8 saves and Robbie Nuchereno (So/01, Clarence) made 9 saves as they split duties
in the win.
The Vikings take the weekend off before heading to the Compuware/Honeybaked Invitational in Detroit, MI over Columbus Day Weekend.
