Pee Wee Knights crowned champions of Top Gun tourney

The Amherst Pee Wee Minor "AA" Knights defeated the Cazenovia Chiefs, 3-1, to win the Top Gun Tournament. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: laying down, Jake Stanley and Patrick Yustin; kneeling - Adam Russell, Jake Spring, Jake Kopacz, Jason Cohen, Jonny Lunney, Eric Oswald, Eddie Rutkowski, Trevor Berninger, Marc Ruszaj, Tommy Fretz; standing - Johnny Bielinski, Tyler Penberthy, Randy Brown, Matt Pragel, Lauton Rushford, Derek Scolnick, Joey Anain; missing from photo - Caitlin Mitchell; coaching staff - Brendan Pleskow (kneeling front row); standing back row - Jim D'Angelo, Aaron Pleskow, Mike Mussel, head coach Bruce Pleskow and Dave Weimer; missing from photo - manager Bob Cohen.

Beating their cross town rivals on home ice at the Amherst Pepsi Center, the Pee Wee Minor "A" Knights were crowned the 2007 Top Gun Tournament Champions.

In the first game of the tournament, the team tied the Buffalo Regals on goals from Trevor Berninger and defenseman Joey Anain. Forward Tommy Fretz lit the lamp as a reward for his tenacious play. Assists from forwards Jake Kopacz, Johnny Bielinski, Randy Brown and defenseman Tyler Penberthy, along with the solid play of netminder Jake Stanley, helped the team earn one point for the tie.

The Knights came back strong the next day to beat Rosedale, 5-4. Leading the offensive charge was game MVP Brown, who racked up three points. The chemistry between linemates Jason Cohen and Eddie Rutkowski generated a goal and an assist for each player. Centerman Marc Ruszaj's non-stop hustle supported linemate Fretz's speed, who ripped a shot past the Rosedale goaltender.

Defenseman Matt Pragel and forward Adam Russell's physical play earned each of them an assist. Goalie Patrick Yustin came up with a huge pad save in the last minute to seal the victory.

Facing the Cazenovia Chiefs, the Knights dropped their only game in the tournament in an outing that was closer than the 3-1 score indicated. Although the Knights peppered the Chiefs' netminder, only Fretz was able to score (Rushford, Penberthy).

Going into game four, the Knights needed a victory for the right to play for the title. Stepping up to the challenge, 11 of 16 Knights skaters earned at least one point in an offensive explosion, beating Cheektowaga, 7-4.

Berninger, Bielinski and Brown each scored one, with Cohen (game MVP) and forward Lauton Rushford each putting two in the back of the net (Anain, Pragel, Penberthy, Jake Spring). Strong defense from Eric Oswald and Derek Skolnick helped netminder Yustin turn away all but four shots.

Although the Knights lost to the Chiefs earlier in the tournament, they played their best game when it counted, in the championship game. Berninger (MVP, two goals) and Rutkowski again led Amherst to a 3-1 victory. Fretz, Bielinski and Kopacz skated hard for the Knights. Blue liners Skolnick, Pragel, Oswald, Spring, Penberthy and Anain were instrumental in the victory. Netminder Stanley stood tall between the pipes, making key stops late in the third period to turn back the relentless Chiefs as they tried unsuccessfully to catch up with a very determined Knights team.

The Amherst Knights are coached by Bruce Pleskow along with his sons Aaron and Brendan, Dave Weimer, Mike Mussel and Jim D'Angelo.