Regals 18U only WNY team to post a victory
Youth hockey nationals

The Amherst Knights and Buffalo Regals combined for one win at the USA Hockey National Boys Midget Tier I and Tier II Championships last Wednesday through Sunday at the Amherst Pepsi Center.

The Buffalo Regals defeated the Amherst Knights, 7-5, in a Tier 18U first round game last Wednesday. The Amherst Knights also fielded a Tier 16U team.

Approximately 1,000 players from across the US are visiting Western New York, generating an economic impact of approximately $3 million.

Here is a game-by-game breakdown of how each of these teams fared.
Tier I -18 U
Buffalo Regals 7,
Amherst Knights 5

In a see-saw battle, the Buffalo Regals broke away from Amherst with a four-goal outburst in the second period.

The Regals were led by Cole Schneider (St. Joe's), who had three goals and three assists. Nick Melligan had two goals while Joe Karl (Lancaster) and Peter Creighton had single tallies.

Paul Dudish (Lancaster) and Mark Goulding (St. Joe's) combined for 17 saves for the victors.

The Knights got single goals from Nick Fronczak and Grant Rickan (Williamsville North), Jeff Amico (St. Joe's), Tim Seel (Clarence) and Eric Bogart (Williamsville East). Branden Komm (Williamsville North) turned back 38 shots.
Shattuck-St. Mary's 9,
Amherst Knights 1

Shattuck-St. Mary's, a tournament favorite at the U18 level, proved to be too much for the host Amherst Knights on Thursday night.

The Knights put up a good fight through the first period, which ended in a 1-1 tie. After that, the floodgates opened.

Ron Femia (St. Joe's) scored the lone Amherst goal.

Knight goalies Branden Komm and Matt Bradley (Williamsville East) were busy in net as they combined for 37 saves.

Shattuck-St. Mary's went on to beat Team Illinois, 5-1, to win the 18U national title.

Ohio Phantom Fireworks 6,

Amherst Knights 2

The fireworks started early and ended late for Ohio as they exploded for four unanswered goals against the host team at the Amherst Pepsi Center on Friday.

Eric Charlton (Williamsville East) and Ryan Marko (Sweet Home) tallied for Amherst. Matt Bradley was busy in net, kicking aside 34 Ohio shots.
Detroit Belle Tire 4,
Buffalo Regals 1

Detroit scored once in the first period and twice in the second period before Buffalo Regal Nick Melligan scored from Cole Schneider on the power play in the third period.

Dudish made 26 saves. Los Angeles Selects 5, Buffalo

Regals 1

The Buffalo Regals bolted to a 1-0 lead on a goal from Nick Melligan before Los Angeles scored five unanswered goals on Friday. Mark Goulding made 27 saves in a losing effort.
Tier I - 16U
Long Island Royals 2,
Amherst Knights 0

In a game that wasn't decided well into the third period, the favored Long Island Royals knocked off the pesky Amherst Knights, 2-0, at the Amherst Pepsi Center, last Wednesday.

Paul Berrafato (St. Joe's) made 38 saves to keep the game close for the Knights.
Shattuck-St. Mary's 5,
Amherst Knights 2

Amherst goalies Paul Berrafato and Ted Clauss combined for 44 saves to keep Amherst close against perennial powerhouse Shattuck-St. Mary's on Thursday.

The teams were tied late in the second period before Shattuck took charge. Donald Frauenhofer and Chris Covel (Sweet Home) scored for Amherst.
Pittsburgh Viper Stars 2,
Amherst Knights 1

Pittsburgh scored with one second remaining in sudden death overtime to defeat the Knights on Friday.

Ryan Gutt (Sweet Home) scored in regulation for Amherst.

Paul Berrafato made 30 saves to keep Amherst in contention up to the bitter end.

Detroit - Little Caesars (Tier I - 16U), Chesterfield, Mo. (Tier II - 18U) and Detroit - Belle Tire (Tier II - 16U) also won national titles.