Hockey
Bowman Showcase set for Sunday

Scotty Bowman

The third annual Bowman Showcase, featuring the top high school-age talent from Buffalo and Rochester playing against each other will invade HSBC Arena Sunday.

The two-game series begins at 2 p.m. with the juniors from each city taking the ice. The Seniors will play at 4 p.m. and the winner will receive the Bowman Cup, named for Scotty Bowman, the winningest NHL coach in history and former skipper for the Buffalo Sabres. As he has done the past two years, Bowman will present the trophy to the winners.

The talent gathered from the Greater Buffalo Area, include the best players from the Western New York Federation, Western New York Club League, Southtowns Club League and Buffalo Junior Sabres.

The Buffalo Senior team includes high school standouts Ryan Geary of Williamsville North, Scott Moser of Kenmore West and Ronald Femia of St. Joe's. Geary was North's all-time leading scorer with 88 points. Moser recently signed to play with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in the NAHL. Femia led St. Joe's to its fifth straight New York State Catholic High School title.

Joining them on the roster are forwards Anthony Clair (Williamsville East), Jared Fischer (Cheektowaga), John Garvin (Timon/St. Jude), Justin Kochan (Williamsville North), Ryan Mackay (St. Francis), Nick Pannepinto (Kenmore West), Vince Scarsella (St. Francis) and Rob Symkowiak (Cheektowaga). The defense is comprised of Andrew Babiarz (Nichols), Chris Barrea (St. Francis), Paul Campise (Sweet Home), Tyler Mathews (Buffalo Junior Sabres), Robert Schrek (St. Joe's) and Marc Zoyhofski (Frontier).

The Buffalo Seniors will also have three stellar goaltenders in Mike Bienas (West Seneca East), Andrew Cieslak (Buffalo Junior Sabres) and Eric Hartrich (St. Joe's). The team will be coached by former Buffalo Sabre Grant Ledyard.

The Buffalo Juniors feature stars Ryan Marko (Sweet Home) and Joe Karl (Lancaster). Marko led the WNY Federation in goals. Karl led the Lancaster Redskins to the New York State quarterfinals.

Joining them are forwards Jeff Amico (St. Joe's), Anthony Caruso (St. Joe's), Peter Creighton (Canisius), Kevin English (Buffalo Junior Sabres), Kevin Ogiba (Niagara Wheatfield), Charlie Mullan (Nichols), Cole Schneider (St. Joe's), Tim Seel (Clarence) and Patrick Sullivan (St. Francis). The defense is anchored by Adam Bobeck (Cheektowaga), Brandon Broad (Nichols), Reid Lesswing (St. Francis), Jake Newton (Williamsville North), Kevin Ryan (St. Francis) and Dan Wasielewski (St. Francis).

Manning goal for the Buffalo Juniors are Paul Dudish (Lancaster), Derek Mohney (Sweet Home) and Mike Musialowski (St. Francis). The team will be coached by former Buffalo Sabre Larry Playfair.

Players were individually nominated and rated by a group of area coaches from both cities based on their play this past season. The final selection of each team was then completed by the Buffalo Sabres based on the ratings of the nominating committee.

Buffalo has swept both the junior and senior game the first two years of the Showcase.

Admission and parking are free.