WNYGVIH Hosts Showcase

Story and Photos by Janet Schultz, NYHOL

In the spirit of growing girl’s high school hockey and providing the players with more opportunity to play each other, the Niagara County Lady Warriors and Kenmore/Grand Island teams of the Western New York Girls Varsity Ice Hockey Federation hosted a Showcase and invited teams from across New York State. 

Plattsburgh and East Section accepted the invitation. Being the way things are, Plattsburgh had to bow out leaving just East to visit the WNY area. So Niagara County and Kenmore/Grand Island enlisted Clarence/Amherst/Sweethome to come join in on a fun two-days.

Not only did they play games, they hosted a Clinic for girls under 12. When East Section heard, they volunteered to pitch in. Over 20 little girls took to the ice with high school mentors, WNYGVIH coaches and a special guest, former NWHL Buffalo Beauts Goalie Kelsey Neumann. The participants took part in drills that are just what the varsity girls go through at practice, they had a scrimmage and lots of fun.

On the ice, the WNY Hiugh School Girls Showcase opened with a local favorite rivalry CASH taking on KGI. CASH opened the scoring in the first period with a goal by Allison Greene, closing out first period 1-0 in favor of CASH. But nothing ever stays the same in this League so KGI opened the scoring in the second on a goal by Isabelle Bourgeault, two more by KGI and they go up 3-1 to end the second period. Third period opens with a No Goal for KGI at 75 seconds into the period. CASH ties it up on a goal by Greene, CASH drops in another and KGI’s Carissa Buyea ties it with just over two and half minutes left. It remains 4-4 through overtime.

East Section took to the ice against Niagara County in the second game. East Section is in their second season of play, but actually first season of full out hockey due to the Pandemic. The East Green Wave were outscored by a tough Niagara County team with a 7-0 to the Lady Warriors. With six seconds left they put on a push and ended the game with a penalty. NICo’s Kayla Persinger had a hat trick.

Next up East would face KGI. In this game KGI’s Juliet Chadima, Megan Pinzel and Kiley Turnbull had their first varsity goals. KGI opened the first period with a bodycheck penalty put then scored three goals putting them up 3-0 over East. A single goal by KGI in the second period and that ends 4-0 in favor of the home team. Third period’s record features all penalties by KGI and the game ends 4-0 KGI.

With this being an elimination tournament. The East Green Wave were out and with travel and weather conditions the Championship game was played when Niagara County played Kenmore/Grand Island in regular season play the following week.

Scoring for KGI was Buyea on a powerplay, assisted by Emiliana Cassillo. Carolyn Bourgeault made 18 saves for a 1-0 shutout. NiCo’s Mariela Mulready made 16 saves.

Now enjoy a photo album from that weekend Showcase. (Janet was not at the Championship/Regular season game so no photos from that).

(All photos are property of NYHOL and prints and/or digital copies can be purchased by emailing [email protected])

Photos by Janet Schultz, NYHOL©2021

For Prints or Digital copies of these photos, please email [email protected]

All rights reserved by NYHOL.