La Nova Wings win Nike-Bauer tourney

The La Nova Wings '98 "AAA" spring hockey team defeated the Regional Express (Ontario), 4-3, in overtime, on April 20 to win the Nike-Bauer Spring Invitational at the St. Catharines Sportsplex. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Tyler Johnson, Sam Stephens; second row - Nick Piccirillo, Hank Crone, Brett Callahan, Matthew Barnaby, Chris Berger, Michael Steffan, Travis Schneider; third row - Sam Shrout, Frank Gaffney, Craig McCabe, Ryan Pouliot, Colin Swoyer, Ryan Nolan, Willie Knierim, Chris Marston; fourth row - John Berger, coach Matthew Barnaby manager Ben Schneider and Jim Swoyer.

The La Nova Wings '98 "AAA" spring hockey team defeated the Regional Express (Ontario), 4-3, in overtime, on April 20 to win the Nike-Bauer Spring Invitational at the St. Catharines Sportsplex.

On the power play, Matthew Barnaby (Amherst) fed Chris Berger (Amherst) for a one-timer which the Regional Express goalie stopped, but Hank Krone knocked in the rebound for the win. Wings goalie Sam Stephens made numerous saves in net.

La Nova scored first when defensemen Chris Marston tallied off a faceoff in the Regional Express zone. Michael Steffan (Amherst) screened the goalie.

After the Regional Express scored twice to take a 2-1 lead, Travis Schneider scored on a blistering wrist shot, top-shelf into the net. La Nova would take the lead early in the third period on the power play. Colin Swoyer's blast from the point gave the Wings the lead.

However, the Regional Express scored late in the third to send the game into overtime.

On offense, Willie Knierim was a force in taking the puck to the net. Nick Piccirillo's (Amherst) strong two-way play led to numerous scoring chances and thwarted Regional Express rushes. Additional offense was generated by Sam Shrout and Craig McCabe.

On defense, Marston, Swoyer, Ryan Pouliot, Frank Gaffney, Ryan Nolan, and Brett Callahan moved the puck quickly out of their own zone and shut down the high-scoring Regional Express.

In round-robin play, La Nova beat the Spring Wings, 7-1; St, Mike's Buzzers, 5-2; Eagles, 5-0; and lost to the Regional Express, 5-3. La Nova beat the KW Rangers (Kitchener-Waterloo), 6-1, in the semifinals.

Goalie Tyler Johnson (Amherst) was fantastic with three wins, including a stellar effort in the semifinals.

The Wings travel to Montreal, Quebec for their next tournament at the end of May. They are coached by former Buffalo Sabre Matthew Barnaby.