BIHG playoffs begin with instant classic

by Rich Gurbacki
Grand Island Dispatch, January 19, 2007

Buffalo In-line Hockey prides itself on being the premier in-line youth hockey league in Western New York. One reason is that BIHG is committed to providing an opportunity for youth in-line hockey players to compete, grow and learn in a positive, constructive and safe environment. The second reason is games like the one played Saturday between the Black Aces and Team X.

Team X was a great story by themselves. X, led by Taylor Setlock of Tonawanda, the BIHG Most Valuable Player in the Fall 2005 season, had to win a play-in game just to get in the playoffs after finishing last in the league during the regular season. The Black Aces were also led by a former MVP in David Campuzano (Grand Island), who was the league Most Valuable Player in the Winter 2006 season, and this team had won the regular season crown.

Team X started strong with two quick goals from Setlock. Doug Smith (Cheektowaga) made it 2-1, but Calvin Waley (Cheektowaga) scored for X to make it 3-1 at the end of the first period. The Aces came back hard after a scoreless second period. John Lyons (Amherst) scored twice as the Lyons-Smith-Campuzano combination put relentless pressure on Team X. The Team X netminder, Aaron Lambe (Tonawanda), turned away shot after shot during the last two minutes of regulation. During the game, a number of players and parents from the adjoining soccer fields had wandered over to watch. By the end of the game, the bleachers were full with hockey and soccer parents, players and friends with the crowd reacting to the ebb and flow similar to what we experience downtown.

The game moved into overtime and Team X moved to the championship game when Waley found Setlock on the side of the net, and he beat Tyler Anderson (Tonawanda). Two great teams and one outstanding game. High levels of competitive play and great hockey are normal part of BIHG, but this game was classic.

Earlier in the day, the Red Raiders advanced to the Major Division championship game against Team X with a 12-7 win over the Hornets. Roy Wasiewicz (Cheektowaga) found the net five times and Pat Smith (Amherst) had a hat trick. In the Junior Division, the Blue Flames won a berth in next week’s championship game against the 535’s with a 3-0 shutout over the Hurricanes. Zac Carslysle (Tonawanda), PJ Anders (Clarence) and Adam Terragnoli (Amherst) scored for the Flames.

The Junior Division championship game will be played at the EPIC Center on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m. and the Major division championship game at 10 a.m. An award presentation and all-star games will follow. Spectators are always welcome.

Placement (not elimination) tryouts for the winter season will be on Jan. 27 at the EPIC Center.