Bisons' Squirt Minor hockey takes second at Pittsburgh Classic

The Buffalo Bisons' Squirt Minor hockey team made it to the championship game of the Pittsburgh Midwinter Classic last weekend. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Ian Nash; second row - Reed Bihary, Nate Iannello, Jacob Hierl, Stevie Vukelic, Adam Brennan; third row -Austin Otterbein, Jack Lalley, Nick Alfieri, Brian Conboy, August Mathien, Matt Cohen, Miles Koessler and Mark Mathews.

The Buffalo Bisons' Squirt Minor hockey team made it to the championship game of the Pittsburgh Midwinter Classic last weekend.

The Bisons started strong by defeating Forest Hill, Ont., 8-3, as centers Brian Conboy and Jack Lalley (Clarence) had two goals apiece and defenseman August Mathien registered three assists.

They lost their second game to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Aviators when Pittsburgh scored late in the third period after Conboy and winger Matt Cohen (Amherst) scored to tie the game.

The Bisons redeemed themselves by beating York Mills, Ont., 4-1, in a dominating performance in which they held the opposition to only one shot on goal through the first two periods.

Conboy scored twice and Cohen registered his third multi-point game in a row.

Even with the one close loss, the team ended up the second seed and made it to the championship game to seek redemption against the undefeated host team. Unfortunately, the Aviators scored 34 seconds into the game and then scored three quick goals spanning the end of the first period and beginning of the second.

The Bisons fought back to within 5-2 and Bison winger Nick Alfieri was awarded a rare penalty shot but was denied and the Bisons could get no closer.

Conboy scored six goals over the four tournament games. Mathien (goal, six assists) led the team with seven points and Cohen had six points for the Bisons. Lalley contributed three goals. Reed Bihary (Amherst) also scored twice. Stevie Vukelic (Amherst) had a particularly strong tournament on defense. The tournament drew teams from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida, as well as from Ontario.

The Bisons are currently leading the Green division, and are second overall, in the Western New York Amateur Hockey League at the Squirt Minor level.