Amherst Squirt Minor 'AAA' lose to Regals, Bisons

After a strong victory over the Erie Lions prior to the holidays, the Amherst Knights find themselves in a minor slump, losing to the Buffalo Regals, 1-0, and Buffalo Bisons, 5-2, this past week.

Last Wednesday evening, the Regals defeated Amherst, 1-0. Amherst goaltender Mark O'Malley shut down the Regals for most of the game until Regal Ross Cominsky scored with just two minutes left in the third period.

O'Malley guarded his posts well throughout the tight checking contest.

Defensemen Ellie Smith and John Hazelet used some solid teamwork to keep the Regal wingers tied up so O'Malley could pounce on any loose pucks around his crease.

Defenseman Danny Brodzik initiated two solid scoring chances with some good transition passes. In the middle of the first period, Brodzik snapped a perfect pass down the middle and sent a streaking Dante Todaro right in on goal. Late in the first, Brodzik repeated the effort when he sent Alex Dimitroff in down the left side. Regal's goaltender Nick Vilardo made two solid saves to keep the Knights off the board.

The tight checking continued in the second and third periods. Luke Eberhard had one of the game's best shifts when he found himself in a post to post battle with a strong Regal winger directly behind the Knights net.

Eberhard came out with the puck and hit Chris Winiecki with a nice pass to clear his zone.

After Regal Comisky scored, the Knights pulled O'Malley to gain the extra skater but did not get the game tying goal.

On Saturday, the Knights came out strong against the Bisons in the first period but could not get one past the Buffalo goaltender. The Bisons scored a goal in each period, two off the stick of Johnny Liberti and one from Teddy Benz, before the Knights responded with two of their own to make the score 3-2.

Dimitroff got his team back in the game with a goal late in the third period. Dimitroff used a slick backhand to forehand deke the Bisons goaltender and get his team on the board.

Winiecki followed up that goal with one of his own. Todaro's cannon shot from the right side sent a rebound Winiecki's way. Winiecki stormed the net and rammed the rebound home to get his team within one goal.

The Knights pressed hard to gain the tie until the Bisons scored a late goal and a final empty-netter to end the game.