Knights Pee Wee Major 'AA' needs OT to win Southtowns March Classic

The Amherst Knights Pee Wee Major "AA" team defeated the Southtown Stars, 3-2, in overtime March 7-9 to take the championship banner home in the Southtowns March Classic. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - goalie Tony Thomas; second row - coach Jim D'Angelo, Mychael McQuiggan, John Bielinski, Jake Berke, Eric Oswald, Adam Russell, Jon Lunney, Trevor Berninger, Max Fenter, Randy Brown, coach Bruce Pleskow, Connor Beaudet, Jake Shine, Jason Cohen, coach Dave Weimer, Marc Rusaj, Derek Scolnik, Tom Fretz, Brian Halpern, Lucas Fromen.

The Amherst Knights Pee Wee Major "AA" team defeated the Southtown Stars, 3-2, in overtime March 7-9 to take the championship banner home in the Southtowns March Classic.

The hometown Southtown Stars went up 2-0 after the end of the second period. The never-say-die Knights forced overtime and within the first minute and a half, Jon Lunney scored the game winner to complete a natural hat trick. Mychael McQuiggan, Brian Halpern and Jason Cohen (two) assisted.

In the third game, the Knights tied the Rochester Americans, 2-2, with Knight goals by Tom Fretz (Halpern, John Bielinski) and Lunney (Cohen).

In the second game, the Knights gained ground on the home team Southtown Stars with a 4-2 decision. Scoring came from Bielinski (Fretz), Halpern (Fretz) and two from Lunney. The fourth goal was assisted by Cohen.

The Knights played the Buffalo Regals Friday night amidst the snowstorm and won 5-2. Cohen (Lunney), Lucas Fromen (Cohen, Lunney), Jake Berke (Fretz), Fretz (Cohen, Lunney) and another goal from Fromen (Lunney) scored for the Knights.

Goaltender Tony Thomas played all four games as goalie Patrick Yustin was unavailable for play. Forwards Trevor Berninger, Adam Russell, Max Fenter and Randy Brown added to the pressure. Despite being short-handed in every game, the defense of Eric Oswald, Marc Rusaj, Derek Scolnik, Joe Anain, Connor Beaudet and Jake Shine put together a stellar defense. The team was coached by Bruce Pleskow, Dave Weimer, Jim D'Angelo, Aaron Pleskow and Brendan Pleskow.