The N-W Falcons hockey team won the WNY Section VI championship for the third year in a row on Feb. 24. The team is shown at the First Niagara Center after its 3-2 win against Williamsville North.

As part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's "NY Open for Fishing and Hunting" initiative, the Angler Achievement Awards Program established a new state record for brook trout, New York State Department of Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced.

"Almost 200 entries were submitted into the program in 2013 with more than 75 percent of those qualified under the Catch and Release Category, indicating the sound stewardship ethic of New York's anglers," Martens said. "Not only does the Angler Achievement Awards Program provide deserved recognition to those anglers catching trophy fish, it also provides a useful snapshot of the quality of the state's freshwater fishery."

Niagara Powerlifting Club members Dan Zahno and Nick Figura, both of Ransomville, and Penny Rodden, of Niagara Falls, all did well at the USPA Red Brick Bench Press Championship XI.

A new law effective May 1 requires all individuals born on or after May 1, 1996, to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat.

The Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame selection committee today announced the induction of Dominik Hasek into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame. Hasek, one of the most prolific goaltenders in NHL history, will be officially inducted as the 42nd member of the Sabres Hall of Fame in a ceremony on March 29, prior to the team's home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at First Niagara Center.

Hasek, who was originally acquired by the Sabres from the Chicago Blackhawks on Aug. 7, 1992, remains one of the most decorated goaltenders in team and league history.

The Buffalo Sabres have announced the 10th annual Scotty Bowman Showcase will take place on Wednesday, April 9, at First Niagara Center. The 2014 Scotty Bowman Showcase consists of three all-star hockey games between players from Buffalo and their rivals from Rochester.

Admission for the games is $5.

The first game will begin at 6 p.m., with high school juniors from the two cities facing off against one another for the Tim Horton Memorial Cup.

VP and Director of Hockey Nik Fattey has announced the HARBORCENTER 2014-15 youth hockey tournament schedule, which will include 20 new events for boys and girls, mite through midget, at the AAA and AA levels.

"Our tournaments will create a unique and differentiating experience for hockey families from Western New York and beyond," Fattey said. "At the AAA level, we will host some of the best youth teams from around the country and provide a competitive level of hockey that places our events among the best tournaments currently available. For AA teams, we will similarly provide a special high-end opportunity. Our best-in-class facilities, geographic location, amenities and affiliation with the Buffalo Sabres are a major attraction for top teams, providing the region with tens of thousands of visitors each year."

The Buffalo Sabres have announced the team acquired goaltender Jaroslav Halak, forwards Chris Stewart and William Carrier, a first-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and another conditional draft pick from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott.

The Joel Holka Insurance Agency, 8575 Niagara Falls Blvd., has announced its awards local high school football winners.

Gleason's Gymnastics will host the 33rd annual Niagara Cup Gymnastics Meet beginning Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 9, at the Koessler Athletic Center at Canisius College. More than 700 gymnasts from across the U.S. and Canada will compete.

The Elite Finals will be Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m., featuring the top 10 finishers in levels 9 and 10 from Friday's competition.

The Buffalo Bills and New York Giants will kick off the 2014 preseason in the NFL/Hall of Fame Game Sunday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. on NBC. The game will be played at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio, one day after the Hall of Fame's Class of 2014 is formally enshrined.

Domestic pigs were brought in to the southeastern United States in the early 1500s by the Spanish explorers and settlers. In the following years, these pigs would escape from captivity, and turn into wild ones (hogs) on their own.

Canada's 1-0 victory over Team USA in Friday's Olympic men's hockey semifinal (Noon-2:30 p.m. ET) posted a 2.7 household rating/8 share to rank as the highest-rated hockey game in NBCSN history, according to live plus same day fast national data released Saturday by The Nielsen Company.

If your new year's resolution to get up and get in shape got up and went back to the couch, Anthony Kukovica might have the answer.

Permit distribution for the remaining waterfowl hunting season, which runs from March 1-10 at Beaver Island, West River Parkway and Motor and Strawberry islands, will be done by call in.

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Queen City Roller Girls will host a double header. The Lake Effect Furies' travel team makes its 2014 debut, followed by the Devil Dollies and the Alley Kats taking the track.

NBC Olympics and the United States Olympic Committee will present an unprecedented 52 hours of coverage of the upcoming Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games across NBC and NBCSN, including 27 hours of live coverage, beginning with the opening ceremony Friday, March 7, at 11 a.m. ET on NBCSN. TeamUSA.org will live stream all events from the Paralympic Winter Games.

The Grand Island Dance Center's Dance Ensemble had a very full performance season. The last performance of the season was at Niagara University for the halftime show.

He has a round, heavy looking body, a thick and long neck, and a large head. He also has pink legs and feet, and an orange bill. It is believed he had dual citizenship, U.S. and Canada. He hangs out with a floozy named "Lady Louise," believed to be a Canadian beauty.

HARBORCENTER VP and Director of the Academy of Hockey Kevyn Adams have announced 11 Academy of Hockey development clinics will be offered to travel players at the AAA and AA levels from March 25 through April 12. Included are two sessions dedicated to goaltenders on April 10, and a girl's-only clinic on April 12. All sessions will be at the First Niagara Center.

"We are excited to have this opportunity to jumpstart our programming to support youth hockey development," Adams said.

The Marine Trades Association of WNY has announced the 2014 WNY Boat Show will once again be held at The Bills Healthy Zone Fieldhouse. Buffalo's premier boat dealers will present brand-new product, from cruisers and pontoon boats to wakeboarding and fishing boats, personal watercraft and much more.

Can you name the 11 Finger Lakes? How about the six Great Lakes?

The Mount St. Mary's Foundation has teamed with Niagara University athletics to offer a special package for a men's basketball and hockey doubleheader Saturday, Feb. 22.

The Niagara-Wheatfield boys swim team collected a Niagara Frontier League first place with its 200 medley relay team scoring a time of 1:45.25 at last weekend's NFL meet at Lockport High School.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., the current light middleweight champion of the world, and considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound boxer of all time, will bring a night of world-class boxing to the Turning Stone Resort Casino Event Center Friday, Feb. 28, through his Mayweather Promotions brand.

Charlie comes from a large family of black bass and is the closest cousin to the largemouth bass, both abundant in our local fishery. The guy you see in the picture has been with me for about 28 years, and has a cool history.

The NHL Stadium Series matchups from iconic venues in Los Angeles and New York this past weekend set viewership records across NBC and NBCSN, continuing NBC Sports Group's strong NHL ratings this season.

Comcast and NBCUniversal have announced a 10-year agreement with the San Francisco 49ers and Levi's Stadium designed to deliver an unmatched in-stadium fan experience. Comcast is leveraging multiple business units - Comcast Cable, Comcast Business, regional sports network Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, and local NBC owned station NBC Bay Area - to help power what will be one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in sports.

HARBORCENTER VP and Director of the Academy of Hockey Kevyn Adams has announced Marty Biron has joined the Academy of Hockey coaching staff, and will serve as its director of goaltending.

HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel has announced IMPACT Sports Performance will operate HARBORCENTER's 5,000-square-foot, high-performance off-ice training facility.

Buffalo Sabres captain Steve Ott takes a moment away from signing autographs at the AT&T store in the Walden Galleria Mall to pose with Jackson, Grady and Kobee Decker. Ott was at the AT&T store to meet with fans and to assist the company in educating the community on the dangers of texting while driving.

The Buffalo Junior Sabres youth organization today announced details for the upcoming season, including team coaches, tryout dates and player fees. The organization also announced additions to its website, buffalojuniorsabres.com, which has been expanded and re-launched.

Area football fans and visitors to New York and New Jersey will have a unique opportunity to welcome Super Bowl XLVIII to the region, as the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee, in partnership with Macy's, will produce the "Super Bowl Kickoff Spectacular," a free, ticketed event featuring performances by Daughtry and Goo Goo Dolls, with additional acts to be announced, and a first-class Macy's fireworks show.

With the colder, winter temperatures settling into the Western New York atmosphere, Ransomville Speedway continues to prepare for the 2014 season. The Niagara County-based half-mile speed plant will be releasing a monster 2014 schedule within the next few weeks and continues to sign valuable marketing partners that will only enhance Ransomville Speedway's popular Friday racing program.

Tim Hortons, Johnston's Restaurant, Pepsi and Gippster's Collision are officially back in the fold for the upcoming season.

The gymnasium at St. Stephen School is reserved for the local/Council 4752 championship, the first level of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, on Saturday, Jan. 18. Registration, as well as free throw practice, begins at 12:30 p.m. and closes at 1:30 p.m. Competition begins promptly at 1:30 p.m.

Niagara Wheatfield Amateur Athletics has introduced an approved U.S. House Soccer development program in Wheatfield.

The Buffalo Sabres today announced they will sell a limited number of special edition stuffed otters, known as "Ott's Otters," with an autograph from Sabres forward Steve Ott. The stuffed otters, each one wearing an Ott jersey, come with a card autographed by the Sabres captain. All proceeds will directly benefit the Buffalo Zoo.

AMSOIL Championship Snocross, powered by Ram - the world's premier professional snowmobile racing circuit - returns to Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel for two days/nights of high-octane racing action Feb. 7 and 8, with the running of the Seneca Allegany Casino Air Force Snocross.

Ransomville Speedway has announced the return of several sponsors for the 2014 season. With the 14th annual Hangover 150 in the books, Big R has set its sights on preparing for Friday, April 25, and the annual test, tune and time night. The 57th season opener is slated for Friday, May 2.

Mike Greenawalt and Investors Service Company will return for the upcoming season in several capacities.

The Shawnee Sno-Chiefs Snowmobile Club, in cooperation with the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Co., will hold a New York state snowmobile safety course this month. Course dates are Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 20 and 21, at the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Co., 3747 Lockport Road, Sanborn. Times are 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.