Tigers equal class act

Amherst Central's Al McQuiggan, right, checks Bishop Timon-St. Jude's David Panek during the Tigers' 5-1 loss in the Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation small school quarterfinals last Sunday at Buffalo State Sports Arena.

Minutes after the Amherst Central Federation hockey team's season ended with a 5-1 loss to Bishop Timon-St. Jude in the first round of the Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation small school playoffs on Sunday at Buffalo State Sports Arena, thoughts for many of the players had moved to the realization that this was their last game.

An emotional moment for many of them, senior Al McQuiggan addressed the team and Tigers coach Rich Crozier.

"We've been through a lot and put our coach through a lot," said McQuiggan. "You're more than a coach to us and we want you to have the game puck."

"I was taken back by it to be honest," said Crozier. "It was a class move and it certainly means a lot to me. The fact that after their last game they were thinking about me is quite an honor. "

Crozier reflected on his team and this season.

"These boys have grown up in front of my eyes and I'm proud of the young men that they have become," said Crozier. "This group persevered all season. They never quit and never gave up, right up until the last minute. I told them after the game, while we may not have won a lot of games on the ice, they are all winners to me and that they are going to be winners in life. The perseverance that they have shown this season will better prepare them in the real world. As we all know, there are many challenges ahead of them, but these young men will be successful no matter what is thrown their way."

Crozier called his team's game against Timon, ranked first in the small schools, as a physical clash. Amherst was seeded eighth.

"We went into the game confident we could get the upset," said Crozier. "The game plan consisted of three things - get on the board early, play physical, and play a strong defensive game by making simple plays."

The Tigers put a scare into Timon when part one of the game plan was executed. Junior Sean Mullane gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead at the 10-minute mark of the first period. Senior Blake Napierala laid out his check at the blue line, forcing a turnover and a two on one break. Napierala drove the puck to the outside and slid it across to Mullane who was driving to the net. Mullane received the pass and slid into the open goal. It was Mullane's fourth tally of the season.

"What a huge goal that was for us," said Crozier. "To get up on them early gave my team some much needed confidence. We had two 6 a.m. practices this week and worked on that exact play, taking it hard to the outside and driving the net. I cannot tell you what a great feeling it is to see that play work in the game. It made it worth getting up that early."

A late power-play goal allowed Timon to tie the game at 1-1, which is the way the first period ended.

"Despite being outshot 11-7, I felt we played a strong first period," said Crozier. "We were generating some chances and holding our own in our zone."

The Tigers held their own for the better part of the second period, until at the seven-minute mark Timon capitalized again on the power play. A third power play goal made the score 3-1 after two periods.

"We had a difficult time playing physical without taking penalties," said Crozier. "The inconsistency of the calls all season long has been very frustrating to me and my team. I told them to play physical and they did that."

Unfortunately, penalties became the theme of the game, Timon was able to capitalize on two more power plays in the third, giving them a 5 -1 win.

"The referees did not give us a chance to win," Crozier said. "The penalties ended up Amherst 18 to Timon's four."