BY RANDY SCHULTZ –
BUFFALO, NY – The West Seneca West vs. Sweet Home Section VI Division II Monday night final provided all the drama that a championship game should. Fans attending the Super Monday game at KeyBank Center saw a game decided by one goal, a penalty shot awarded in the closing moments and outstanding goaltending at both ends of the ice.
In the end, West Seneca West downed Sweet Home, 2-1, to win its first title since 2013. The Indians opened the scoring in the first period on a goal by freshman, Ethan Parsons with assists going to Matt Myers and Jacob Fort.
The Indians increased their lead to 2-0 in the second period on a goal by Chase Chodkowski at 9:07. Myers and Aaron Highway assisted.
But the Panthers cut that lead in half just 14 seconds later on a goal by Edholm Tyler. Alex Farkas and Colin Regian assisted.
The game moved to the third period with neither team able to score a goal. With five minutes remaining in the period a penalty shot was awarded to Sweet Home.
Blake Russo was elected to take the shot. He was stopped by WSW goalie, Noah Sobczyk, who poked checked the puck off the shooters stick at the last second.
The Indians held on for the final five minutes to secure the win. Sobczyk stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced for the victors.