Pee Wee Major Knights 'AA' open New Year with shutout win

The Pee Wee Major Knights "AA" team started 2007 off with a victory over the North Buffalo Bisons, 5-0.

The Knights' offense started flat but thanks to the goaltending of Thomas Styn and solid defensive play by Nick Kowalski and Sam Kraus, the game remained scoreless after the opening period.

An inspirational intermission speech by coach John DiDonato kick-started the Knights in the second period with a much higher intensity level. Michael Nowicki would put Amherst on the scoreboard with an assist coming from Adam Hepp as both teams were skating four aside.

At the 5:06 mark, Brad Ferrell hammered home a slap shot that was set up by linemates George Zimmermann and Nowicki. Ferrell returned the favor 30 seconds later as he set up Zimmermann for the Knights' third goal of the period.

Amherst's new found intensity level continued into the third period as Christian Curatolo scored with help from Hepp and Patrick Hurtubise. The scoring party continued as Nowicki scored his second of the game, assisted by Benny Ferro and Joe Kersten.

With the victory, the Knights have moved up in their league standings and are posting a 5-3-1 league record.