BY RANDY SCHULTZ–
AMHERST, NY – There is a new Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation Section VI champion. It’s Orchard Park/Frontier/Lakeshore.
OPFL defeated Kenmore/Grand Island Wednesday night, 3-2, before a standing-room only crowd at the Northtown Center at Amherst. Ironically the loss ended Kenmore/Grand Island’s five year run.
Following a scoreless first period, KGI opened the scoring at the 2:04 mark of the second on an unassisted goal by Olivia Smith. OPFL tied the score a little over six minutes later when Abby Lillis scored at 8:38. Keegan Shanahan assisted on the goal.
With the championship on the line and the score tied 1-1, both teams came out skating in the third period. Finally, at the 7:58 mark Jessica Peters scored to give OPFL a 2-1 lead. Frangelica Bautz assisted.
Less than two minutes later Mary Kromer gave OPFL a 3-1 lead with her sister Emily Kromer assisting at 9:08.
KGI closed the gap to within one when Hannah Gallivan tallied a goal at the 12:50 mark to make the score, 3-2. Smith assisted.
OPFL held off KGI for the final 2:10 to come away with the victory and a trip to Canton, NY for the New York State Girls High School Hockey Championship.
OPFL outshot KGI for the game, 29-12. Victoria Cottrell was in the nets for OPFL, while Ellie Simmons, just a seventh grader, was the netminder for KGI.
OPFL will now face Beekmantown in the opening round of the NYS Girls HS Championship on Friday. Game time is 8 p.m.
