N-W rebounds from season opening loss versus Lancaster
By David Yarger
Tribune Editor
The winter high school sports season has returned, and with it comes a new slate of Niagara-Wheatfield hockey.
After a tough 7-1 loss versus Canisius to begin the regular season, the Falcons bounced back with a 3-1 victory over the Lancaster Legends.
The Falcons played a tough and gritty style of hockey, which was a key factor in Monday's game.
After the Legends scored early in the second period to gain a 1-0 lead, Ben Foster was able to answer and get the Falcons on the board. His wrist shot tied the game, 1-1.
From there, it was all Falcons, as Cam King gave N-W a 2-1 lead. His goal gave the team the lead for good.
Chris Cacciatore finished the game with a buzzer-beating-bank-shot off the boards and into the empty Lancaster net from the Wheatfield zone.
Niagara-Wheatfield coach Rick Wrazin admitted that the team knew how important Monday's test was following a Sunday afternoon loss.
"I think we feel like this was a big game for us to get back on track," Wrazin said. He added the team has quite a few new faces on the roster - all of whom are filling shoes left behind from last season's state finalist team.
"Through the scrimmage carnival and yesterday, we have not been playing the way we like to play. We're a work in progress, but we certainly got moving in the right direction tonight," he said.
In net for the Falcons, Kevin Bainbridge filled in for normal starter Peyton Siegmann. Bainbridge made 29 saves in his first varsity start, and Wrazin was pleased Bainbridge was capable of a strong outing between the pipes.
"It was good to see," Wrazin said. "He did step up and he played very well. (Cacciatore) in the locker room, right away pointed him out that he played really strongly for us. (It's) good to see and it's kind of important in terms of the team being able to trust each other, so that's a great start."
The Falcons return to the ice at 6 p.m. Friday at Orchard Park.