Buffalo In-line Hockey Group 'skates for the cure'

Nick Shearer (Kenmore) moves in on a breakaway against Tyler Anderson (Tonawanda) during Buffalo In-line Hockey Group's Iron Man tournament last Saturday. Proceeds from the tournament went to "Skate for the Cure", a fundraising initiative by the Niagara University women's hockey team to help bring awareness for breast cancer in women.

The EPIC Center in Lancaster saw Buffalo In-line Hockey Group host its 2007 Iron Man tournament this past Saturday.

The Iron Man Tournament is a 3-on-3 (plus goalies), one period (15 minutes), no sub, single elimination tournament that was won by the Blast (Junior division) and the Z's (Major division).

The Blast team consisted of tournament MVP Nick Antoniadis (Amherst), Eric Zimfer (Cheektowaga), Joel Juhasz (Amherst) and Casey Brock ( Williamsville).

The Z's were comprised of tournament MVP Pat Smith (Amherst), Nick Shearer (Kenmore), Tyler Michael (Cheektowaga) and Matt Baran ( Tonawanda).

The tournament, with two dozen teams participating, was run with proceeds going to "Skate for the Cure". Five hundred dollars was raised.

"Skate for the Cure" is an initiative that is led by the Niagara University women's hockey team who have chosen Hope Chest to receive the entirety of the initiative's fundraising.

Hope Chest's mission is to help women understand they can lead full, active lives despite the physical limitations of breast cancer. The complementary goals of cancer awareness and power through sports makes Hope Chest a perfect partner for the Niagara hockey team's and Buffalo In-line Hockey Group's community outreach programs.

BIHG co-founders Rich Gurbacki and Rich Smith indicated that the league was happy to work with "Skate for the Cure" because it fits right into the BIHG philosophy.

"We consider our league to be the premier not-for-profit, youth in-line hockey league Buffalo area because of our reason for existence," said Gurbacki. "We exist in order to provide an opportunity for youth in-line hockey players to compete, grow and learn in a positive, constructive and safe environment. We are not a revenue source for anyone, we don't involve ourselves with 'pro' or adult leagues and we don't 'cut' any player from our house teams. Working with 'Skate for the Cure' was an easy decision, a natural fit."

For more information about Buffalo In-line Hockey Group, call Rich at 689-4090 or 773-1188.