Bisons 19U girls' season ends in national quarterfinals

The Buffalo Bisons 19U girls team won the New York State Girls Tier I 19 and under championship and lost in the quarterfinals of the USA Hockey National Championships in West Chester, Pa. The Bisons compiled a 35-13-5 record. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row Kimberly Sass (East Amherst), Cassie Stein (Lewiston), Grace Waters Snyder), Pamela Zgoda (Cheektowaga), Kelsey Welch East Amherst), Erica Owczarczak (West Seneca), Kelly Mendola (Kenmore); second row - coach Robert Sass (East Amherst), manager JoAnn Mendola (Kenmore), Kristina Moss (Webster), Mackenzie Lee (Caledonia), Abby Runyon (Fairport), Brigitte Cellino (West Seneca), Jacquie Greco (Clarence), coach Scott Welch (East Amherst); third row - coach Gary Moss (Rochester), Haley Welch (East Amherst), Julia Fleming (Grand Island), Maggie Giamo (Orchard Park), Brianna Murphy (Depew), Carolyn Wolcott (Syracuse) and coach Jay Waters (Clarence).

The Buffalo Bisons 19U girls team won the New York State Girls Tier I 19-and-under championship and lost in the quarterfinals of the USA Hockey National Championships in West Chester, Pa.

The Bisons compiled a 35-13-5 record.

The team opened against Michigan District champion Little Caesars, winning 3-1. After two periods of scoreless hockey, the Bisons exploded for three goals in the third period. The Bisons received phenomenal goaltending, which kept them in the game until they took control.

On day two, the Bisons played host team New Jersey Rockets, who lost their opening game to reigning national champion Shattuck St. Mary's. The Bisons had to come from behind to win, 2-1, scoring midway through the third period to take the lead for good.

The Bisons' final game of the preliminary round was against the Pacific District champion California Wave, which they won 4-1.

By going undefeated in the preliminary round, the Bisons and Shattuck St. Mary's would enter the quarterfinals as the only undefeated teams and tied for the best record. The Bisons lost 6-0 to Rocky Mountain District champion, Colorado Selects, in the quarterfinals.

Over the seven years that this team has been together, they compiled a 248-77-44 record and won the Ontario League Championship five times as well as numerous tournaments, including the Connecticut Polar Bear Tournament at the 17 "AA" level. Over the year, the team has placed numerous players on the USA Hockey Select Camps.

Twelve players will be graduating from high school and playing in college. They are: Kimberly Sass (Colgate University); Pamela Zgoda (Mercyhurst College); Grace Waters (Middlebury College); Erica Owczarczak and Maggie Giamo (Rochester Institute of Technology); Cassie Stein (Robert Morris University); Brigitte Cellino (Trinity College); Mackenzie Lee (Plattsburgh State University); Julia Fleming, Kelly Mendola, Brianna Murphy and Carolyn Wolcott (Cortland State University).