BUFFALO, NY -- Gavin Ward scored two goals to lead his Williamsville East Flames team to a 4-2 victory over the Victor Blue Devils at LECOM HarborCenter Saturday afternoon to win the NYSPHSAA Regional Final. With the victory the Flames now advance to the NYSPHSAA State Finals next weekend here.
Williamsville East went into the third period leading Victor 2-1. Brody MadDonell scored at 1:20 of the period to give his team a 3-1 lead.
But just a little over two minutes later Victor scored at 3:28 on a goal by Simon Kowal. Assists went to Caleb Clark and John Abbott.
That led to Ward’s second goal of the game at 15:19 into an empty Victor net. The unassisted goal gave the Flames a 4-2 lead which they never relinquished.
“I think our team did a good job at sticking to our positions and playing our defensive game,” said Ward. “Fortunately at the end I intercepted the puck as it came to me and I just aimed it.
“It sealed the game for us.
Williamsville East got its first lead of the game at 8:21 of the second period when senior Gavin Ward to give the Flames a 2-1 lead over the Blue Devils. Brody MacDonell got the lone assist.
Victor outshot Williamsville East in the second, 10-9.
“I don’t know what to say,” said a smiling Williamsville East coach, Mike Torrillo following the game. “They played hard.
“It’s about all these guys right here (pointing to several Flames players walking by him). “The first shift we had tonight was our worst shift of the night (resulting in a Victor goal in the first period).
“We weathered a couple of storms out there. They are a good hockey team.
“But our guys answered the call. We played solid defense out there. We had good goaltending.
“It all played together.”
It didn’t take long for the scoring to start for the second game of the day between Williamsville East and Victor. Just :29 into the first period Victor’s Simon Kowal scored an unassisted goal to give the Blue Devils an early 1-0 lead.
But the Flames came right back at 1:52 to tie the score, 1-1, on a goal by senior Nathan Sucher. Assisting on the goal was Braden Sims and Jake Pullen.
Williamsville East outshot Victor in the first, 11-9.
NOTES: Williamsville East and Victor each had seven shots in the third period. The Flames edged the Blue Devils in total shots for the game, 27-26.
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