By Janet Schultz, NYHOL; Photos by Janet Schultz Photography©
WNYGVIH Opened Season
The 12th season of the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation opened this week with a revisit of the 2022 Private School Championship with Monsignor Martin visiting St. Mary’s of Lancaster.
History was made, as is the norm in this league on any given day, Mt. St. Mary’s won their first game and on home ice.
The game went into overtime after MM Alexandra Franke tied it at the 4:03 mark of the third period. With 17 seconds left in overtime, St. Mary’s Gabrielle Lowell scored, unassisted and St.Mary’s wins 4-3.
St. Mary’s welcomed a new coaching staff this season with Mark Dantonio, Bri Colucci and Cassidy MacPherson. The visiting team also has a new Head Coach in Darren Palaszewsk, assisted by Ed Guzdek, Pat Bonner and Joe Kazmark.
MM is coming off a 12-4 record and the 2022 Private School Championship. Key players returning to the ice include Erin Prendergast, Isabella Fedele and Alexandra Franke. Courtney Bonner is wearing the “C” with Fedele and Franke her assistant.
The second game of opening day featured Williamsville at Niagara County. Williamsville’s Molly Braunscheidel scoring first. That was followed by a series of goals by Niagara County through the end of the game. Niagara County wins 8-1.
Williamsville has a young team this season which includes a volunteer goalie in Anna Meyer. She came forward to goaltend after Coach Rick Hopkins had no goaltenders at tryouts. In addition Molly Martin is serving a two-game suspension following an incident in last seasons playoffs.
Niagara County, who has come from the cellar in their first couple years, has found scoring power in Madison Mallone, Sam Latini, and Natalee Zimmerman. In goal Mariela Mulready is just that, ready for another season, and her senior one at that. Mulready began her goaltending career similar to some of this year’s starting goalies, without a lot of experience but with a lot of passion.
Tuesday night is back on the schedule as KENGL hosts at Lincoln Arena. This year the team welcomes players from the Lockport school district. LIDA was their first guest, and also with new players from Alden Central School.
KGIL took command with Riley Marrale scoring first, assisted by Teagan Willats. First period ended 3-0 and it continued through the third as LIDA just couldn’t get past Goaltender Carolyn Bourgeault, who stopped all 20 SOG. It was KGIL 8, LIDA 0. LIDA split goaltending duties between Abrie Iannucci and Carly Irzycki.
Madison Flory had a hattrick for KENGIL plus an assist.
On Wednesday evening FFLOP came into Northtowns Arena to take on CASH. FFLOP welcomes players from Franklinville Central School District. CASH’s Ella VanDuuren got on the scoreboard first at 5:32 of the first period and after that it was FFLOP leading to a 7-1 victory for them. Maya Griffin is credited with the GWG and added another one later one. Kerrigan McCarthy was in goal and took the win with stopping 10/11 shots and Rachel Fix made her goaltending debut stopping 5 of 5 shots.
CASH’s goaltending duties were shared by Kylie Paige and Melissa MacLeod.
CASH had Georgia Mango at the game in spirit, as she was seriously injured when hit by a car earlier this month. She remains in the hospital. Her jersey #2 hung on the bench.
KENGIL and Williamsville took to the ice at Northtowns Thursday evening. The highlight of this game was the KENGIL win giving Head Coach Jeff Orlowski his 100th career win in the WNYGVIH Federation. Orlowski, along with Rick Hopkins, are the only original head coaches remaining since the league’s inception 12 years ago.
The first period opened with more penalities than goals, only one scored by Kenmore’s Savanna Shaft. She added two more for a hattrick that evening. The game ended 6-0 in Kenmore’s favor. Stopping all 14 shots was Jordan Hofschneider for Kenmore and Williamsville’s Meyer stopped 26/32.
Niagara County beat Monsignor Martin 7-3 with Madison Mallone having a hattrick and Zimmerman adding two goals. Mulready stopped 23/26. Courtney Bonner, Isabella Fedele and Trinity Kehoe added goals for MM. Kate Kelley stopped 27/34 sog.
LIDA’s Sydney Radecki had a hattrick, including the game-winner in a 3-2 win over FFLOP. In goal Irzycki stopped 31/33 sog. For FFLOP is was Lillah Cudney on the powerplay and then a goal by Mya Dalton. McCarthy was back in goal and stopped 24/27 sog.
Final game of the week was CASH at HEWSH, who added Holland to their team. HEWSH beat CASH 4-0. Riley Andzel had the game winner, assisted by Tori Hart and Sophia Phillips. Other goal scorers were Lilliann Drzazgowski, Charlotte Rak and Phillips. Assists coming from Brynn Holland, Hanna Barrett, Andzel, Rak and Phillips. In goal for HEWS and stopping 15 shots for the shutout was Ella Bucznski. MacLeod stopped 19 of 23 sog for CASH.
After two games played Madison Mallone (NICO) leads the score board with 6 goals and 1 assist for 7 points. She is followed by Maya Griffin (FFLOP) 2 goals/4 assists and Madison Flory (KENGIL) 3 goals, 3 assists.
Another active week for the League with HEWSH visiting St. Mary’s on Monday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. and FFLOP heading to Niagara County at 8:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, MMAA will visit KENGIL AT 8 P.M.; Niagara County plays at CASH on Wedneday, Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday is a triple-header with HEWSH at Williamsville, LIDA at MMAA and CASH at FFLOP, all at 4:30 p.m.
Games are open to the public free of charge.
