Winter Classic brings memories for Tigers' hockey

Twenty players from the Amherst Central Federation boys hockey team attended the NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1 between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Among the 70,000 plus at Ralph Wilson Stadium last Tuesday attending the AMP NHL Winter Classic included the 20 varsity Federation ice hockey players from Amherst High School.

Along with their coaches, the team braved the elements to watch the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins play the first ever NHL outdoor hockey game in the United States.

"It was an amazing experience," said Tigers head coach Rich Crozier. "The boys will have some lasting memories for many years to come."

The Tigers boarded a school bus at 10:30 a.m. and headed to Orchard Park early to take in all the festivities. The highlight of the day was when the Tigers walked through the stadium tunnel and saw the playing surface for the first time.

"That was one of the coolest things I have ever seen," said Amherst senior Dan Hubbard. "To see 73,000 fans go crazy over the sport that you've grown up playing and love was very exciting."

Even though the Sabres lost in a shootout, the memory of attending the biggest sporting event of the year was not lost on the Tigers' hockey team.

"It was a once in a lifetime event," said junior defensemen Kevin Denny. "Just being there with my teammates was a major highlight for me. It's something I'll never forget."

"It was one of the greatest experiences of my life," senior Al Mc- Quiggan added. "The intensity of having that many people at a hockey game was incredible to be a part of."

"Sometimes it's not about X's and O's," concluded Crozier. "Ten years from now, my players won't remember the score against Sweet Home, but they will remember attending the ice bowl. It was a unique opportunity to attend the game and I was happy we all could experience it together."

On Saturday, the Tigers took on St. Francis in a makeup game that was cancelled originally due to inclement weather. The Tigers made it a competitive game after a slow start that saw them trailing 3-0 after two periods.

Senior Mike Gruttaduria got the Tigers on the board early in the third when he scored the Tigers' first short-handed goal of the year. Gruttaduria stole the puck in the neutral zone, cut to the middle of the ice and let a rocket of a wrist shot off that beat the St. Francis goalie in the top corner. It was Gruttaduria's third goal of the season.

The Tigers made a valiant effort to tie the game up, but unfortunately for them they were unable to get any more goals on the board.

Sophomore goalie Sean Smith made 23 saves for the Tigers.

"I liked our effort in the second half of the game," said Crozier. "We outplayed them for the better part of the second and third periods, but putting ourselves in a 3-0 hole was just too much to overcome. You need to play a full 45 minutes to win games in this league."

The Tigers travel to the Adirondacks to take on Section II's South Glens Falls and Glens Falls this weekend. This has become an annual trip for the Tigers, who in years past have faired well up north.

"We're looking forward to seeing how we compare to others in the state," said Crozier. "We play in the best section in the state, and are anxious to prove what we can do. It's a great opportunity for us to get away and come together as a team and come back with some much needed victories."