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North hockey searches for scoring punch
Since the 1999-2000 season, the Spartans have amassed a sparkling 181-26-21 record, won three New York State Division I titles ('02, '04, '06) in six finals appearances (lost in state semifinals in 2005; lost in '01, '03 and '07 finals) and won four Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation titles. Every year, it seems North has had one or several players step up and score a lot of goals. The most recent players included Ryan Geary (North's all-time leading scorer for league games and state playoffs) and Justin Kochan (sixth all-time playoff scorer in school history). But Geary, Kochan and eight other forwards who contributed all last season are gone, leaving coach Bob Rosen wondering who is going to step up on offense this year. "Last year, we won some games by having by more talent than everybody else," said Rosen. "The kids have already found ways to win (North won own tournament; defeated Sweet Home), which is encouraging." Rosen thinks it could be senior Josh Liddle and juniors Nick Angelo, Marc Kadish and Cam Sroda, but said it's a work in progress. Kadish will center one of the lines. Kadish and Angelo are wingers. He also converted senior Jake Newton and James Nowicki from defense to forward and brought up sophomore Chris Marsack from JV. The North offense might be looking to find itself but its defense and goaltending are solid. Rosen returns seniors Mark Smith (four-year starter), Kyle Agius (four-year player), Matt Austin and juniors Nick Fronczak (Division I all-state honorable mention, three-year starter), Mark Capenhurst and Grant Rickan at defense. "If you can have two quality defensemen in high school hockey, you're lucky," said Rosen. "We feel we have six." In between the pipes is Komm, a returning Federation second team all-league goalie who had a 1.83 goals against average, 94 percent save percentage and a 17-4-3 record in his first year starting on varsity. This past summer, Komm helped the Western Region win gold at this past summer's Empire State Games. "He's going to have to step up and be the leader," said Rosen. "He's going to have to be our best player night in and night out." What Rosen likes the most about Komm is his attitude. "He loves to compete," said Rosen. "He treats practice like it's the Stanley Cup. He doesn't like to get scored on in practice. He has a tremendous work ethic and is a good kid to be around." Komm's backup is senior Kim Sass, who started on JV as a junior. She's the second female goalie to play in the Federation. Rachel Stemerman played for Williamsville South three years ago. Stemerman plays for the women's hockey team at Wesleyan University. For North to be successful this season, Rosen said everyone on the team will have to play their role well. "That's something the coaching staff and I pride ourselves on," said Rosen. "Each role is as important as everyone else's. And that's whether you're only practicing with the varsity or on JV. You can't take a day off because it hurts the kids you're practicing against. Everybody has to be at their highest level in order for us to be successful." "With the run we've been on, I've always felt we were one of hardest practicing teams in the state," he added. Rosen also lauded the work of Rob Eimer on JV.
North opened its season 3-0 (see other story for results). |
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