Geneseo Tournament gets Tigers hockey much needed win

Senior Joe McCann scored his first goal of the season and freshman Sean Smith made 41 saves as the Amherst Central Federation hockey team defeated Geneseo, 2-1, in the opening game of the Geneseo Tournament on Friday. The two-day tournament was held on Friday and Saturday at Geneseo State College.

The Tigers fell behind 1-0 in the first period and Geneseo kept that lead until the third period.

With 5:09 remaining, junior Al McQuiggan got the Tigers on the board. McQuiggan took a pass from junior Dan Hubbard at the top of the left faceoff circle. McQuiggan wasted no time, spinning around and firing the puck quickly, beating the Geneseo goalie five-hole. Senior Kevin Kelley also assisted on the play.

"That was a very big goal for our hockey team," said Amherst coach Rich Crozier. "We were outplayed in the first and second periods so for Al to get that goal really lifted our team. It was old fashioned hard work and Al capitalizing on his opportunity."

Three minutes later, the Tigers struck again to take a 2-1 lead. After senior David Moore dumped the puck in, sophomore Stephen Mugel picked up the puck in the corner and threw it out front to McCann. McCann's point blank shot beat the goalie, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead.

"What a way to get your first goal of the season," said Crozier. "That was one of the most important goals of the year. Joe has battled through injuries and it was great to see him contribute with the game winner."

"I was also impressed with the play of Mugel and junior Josh Larwood," he added. "These two received more ice time and certainly made the most of their chances."

The Tigers held on for the last 2:17, getting a much needed win. Smith made 41 saves and for his efforts, received player of the game honors.

"This was Sean's best game of the season," said Crozier. "When his focus is on, he can really be a difference maker in hockey games. We've seen glimpses of his potential two or three times this season. It is scary to think what he will be able to do as a junior or senior."

"This was a big win for my hockey team," Crozier added. "Even though we were outplayed for the first two periods, we never gave up and Sean kept us in the game. In the locker room, we talked about someone stepping up and being the hero. It was great to see McQuiggan and McCann answer that challenge. We'll use this win to help us in our final federation games and for a possible run in the playoffs. We're hoping that we are peaking at the right time."

In the second game of the tournament, Section V's Victor outmatched a depleted Tigers squad.

"While we offer no excuses for our performance, we are just battling through so many injuries right now," said Crozier. "McQuiggan, Dave Rubach, Zach Willet and obviously Mike Gruttaduaria all are irreplaceable players on our team. For us to have to battle through a game with those injuries was too big of a hurdle for us."

Halfway through the third period, Kelley scored the Tigers' lone goal. Kelley let a slap shot go from the point that Victor's goalie could not handle. It was Kelley's second goal of the season.

The goal gave Kelley player of the game honors for Amherst.

"That game was not our night," said Crozier. "We are down a few players and have some costly injuries. It is disappointing that we have to deal with this at this point in the season but all teams go through it and I am confident that when we heal up, we will be successful again."

The Tigers faced Frontier on Monday afternoon. They face Williamsville North at 3 p.m. on Saturday on the Amherst Pepsi Center's Olympic Rink.