Hockey
Williamsville North loses in double-overtime final
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North has seen its share of triumphs and heartbreaks in the Division I New York State Championships, and this year's final tops the list as most heartbreaking.

The Spartans, ranked No. 1 in the state, lost 2-1 in double overtime to Section IV's Ithaca in Sunday's state finals at Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Ithaca's Sean Seyler scored the game-winner 4:15 into the second overtime from Ben Lantz-Subtelny and Tim Kozen. North coach Bob Rosen said Seyler's shot hit one of his player's sticks or skates, changed direction and went into the top left corner of the net.

It was North's sixth appearance in the state finals, winning titles in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and losing in 2001 and 5-4 in overtime to Section V's Brockport in 2003. They lost in the state semifinals in 2005.

"Ithaca played tremendous team defense,

but from our standpoint it's a heartbreaker," said Rosen. "We get a little disillusioned of getting to the finals. It's not that easy. We may have made it look easy for the past seven years, but you don't know when you're going to go back again."

It was Ithaca's fifth state title since a 4-0 win over Saratoga in 2000.

Rosen said his team had eight chances in regulation and at least four opportunities in overtime to put Ithaca away but either missed the net or hit a goal post.

Ryan Geary, North's all-time leader scorer in Federation and state playoffs, backhanded in a Justin Kochan rebound 1:27 into the first period.

Ithaca's Tyler St. Denis (Gabe French) tied it at 1-1 when he jammed the puck past Branden Komm (33 saves) at 4:54 into the second.

North almost didn't make it to the finals. The Spartans came back from a 3-1 deficit in the second period against Section X's Canton to win 4-3 in overtime.

Geary scored twice, including the game winner at 6:55 into overtime. Kyle Agius pinched from the blue line, which led to a Spartan three on one. Agius hit Kochan at the top of the circle and threw it to Geary, who shot it into the top of the net.

Geary's first goal came short-handed at 12:20 of the second, when he slipped the puck between a Canton defender and shot it past the goalie on the stick side to cut the North deficit to 3-2.

"He's been the heart and soul of the team," said Rosen. "He's led by example and has always been about the team."

Kochan tied the game with 2:37 left in the third on a great pass from Tom Goehrig and Pat Mulvihill.

"Goehrig took a nice pass from Mulvihill, which sprung a two on one, and Goehrig slid it across to Kochan into a wide-open net," said Rosen.

Kochan shot in his own rebound into the net four minutes in on the power play.

"Right after they made it 3-1, they were on another five on three," said Rosen. "I called a timeout, and we killed off the five on three. Branden made a couple of big saves to allow us to keep the game in reach… To come back is a testament to this team of how they have battled throughout the whole year."

Komm made 31 saves. North had 35 shots on net.

Pat Sweeney, Shane Laurie and Garrett Sharp (Sweeney, Bryan Zeller) scored power-play goals for Canton.

North finishes 24-4-3. Forwards Geary, Kochan, Mulvihill, Andrew Saint, Dan Conover, Mike Cusenz, Jamie VonHendy, Adam Vinci, John Walter, Goehrig and Charlie Teal and goalie Taylor Gahagen graduate. Rosen returns his entire defense next year.

"The friendships created over the years and the tradition of being part of North hockey - that's the legacy we really push for and I hope these seniors have gotten," said Rosen.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com