Amherst Mite 'AAA' Majors win Top Gun tournament

The Amherst Mite 'AAA' Majors won six games to take Top Gun tournament first place honors. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Holden Greene and Tyler Johnson; second row - Tyler Durfee, Mike Bliss, Caelan Briere, Derek Westbrook, Liam Bailey, Zac Kozlin, Mike Steffan; third row - Jared Cummins, Joey Mostowy, James Panzarella, Jon Tucker, Chris Berger, Tyler Lawrence, Tyler Eldridge, Alex Randaccio; top row - coach Al Randaccio, team manager Ron Cummins, coach Jeff Kozlin and coach Randy Wyrozub; missing from photo - coach Brian Lawrence.

The Amherst Mite "AAA" Majors won six straight games to win the Top Gun Tournament.

Amherst outscored its opponents, 34-4. Amherst played teams from Wheatfield, Stoney Creek, Perinton, and Grand Niagara in tournament round robin play.

Amherst shut out West Seneca, 2-0, in the finals.

The West Seneca team came out strong in the first period with heavy pressure in the Amherst zone. Amherst goalie Tyler Johnson stopped all 11 first period West Seneca shots. Amherst's Mike Bliss scored in the second period to start the scoring, assisted by Mike Steffan and Tyler Durfee. The last goal was scored by Chris Berger from linemates Derek Westbrook and Liam Bailey.

In the semifinals, Amherst defeated a team from Ancaster, 3-1.

Bliss, assisted by Steffan, started the scoring. Ancaster tied it up one minute later with a goal from Spencer Morrone.

Berger pulled Amherst back into the lead with a goal assisted by Bailey. Derek Westbrook finished the scoring with a goal in the second, assisted by Berger and Tyler Eldridge.

Johnson was named Amherst tournament MVP for his three shutouts in the tourney. Strong teamwork was the key to Amherst's tournament success with all players contributing and playing good team hockey.