Grand Island Grand Niagara Hockey League

Western New York Amateur Hockey League

Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles - PeeWee Major Travel Team Wins State Title - Advance to Nationals
Island Hockey Players
Justin Frentzel, Michael Malaney and Mitch LaRiviere On State Championship Team - 2007

(front left) Alex Kammerer, David James, Zach Klapp, Richard Minicucci, David Whelan; (2nd row) Coach David James, Derek Stein, Brad DeLand, Brian Fry, Zak LaPorte, Cory Becker, Tyler Lewis, Coach Jeff Klapp; (3rd row) Coach Ralph LaRiviere, Mitch LaRiviere, Tyler Clegg, Kevin Danaher, Carson Cavers, Mike Malaney, Justin Frentzel, Coach Pete Becker
Click photo for larger view
The Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Peewee Major team won the New York State 12U Tier II Championship held at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan March 9-11, 2007. The Purple Eagles started the tournament strong with first round wins over the Freeport Arrows 5-1, the Ithaca Bears 7-3 and the Adirondack Black Bears by the score of 7-2. Niagara advanced to the semi final game against their division rival Bud Bakewell Bruins and defeated them 5-2. This victory moved the Purple Eagles into the championship game against the Saratoga Blue Knights who were also undefeated in the tournament.
Niagara quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the game. Saratoga scored to narrow the lead to 3-1, but that was as close as they would get. Niagara netted 3 more goals to take the 6-1 win and become the 2007 New York State Champions. The Niagara Jr Purple Eagles will now advance to play in the National Championship tournament to be held March 28th – April 1st at the Amherst Pepsi Center. The Purple Eagles have first round games vs. the Anchorage Jr. Aces, the Port Huron Flags and the Raleigh Pepsi Gold. "We wish the Purple Eagles the best of luck in there quest for a National Title. Go Eagles!"

Niagara Junior Purple Eagles Capture State Hockey Championship - 2007

(front left) Al Endres, Lorne Shotwell; (2nd Row) David Evert, Andrew Stein, Eugene Mongan, Courtney Cox, Tom Hanna, Dave Kok, Dom Colangelo, Jeff Bellanca, Coach Rick Stein; (3rd Row) Coach Dave Kok, Steve Lopresti, Seth Hamilton, Reese Bedient, Rich Spiker, Robert Schiffhauer, Junior Perez, Pat Gallagher, Anthony Russell, Matt Malley, Coach Mike Gallagher, Mike Hardy, Head coach Gene Mongan
Click photo for larger view
   The Niagara Junior Purple Eagles of Niagara Falls, NY captured the New York State Bantam Tier II 14 and under State Championship on Sunday March 11, 2007 in Binghamton, New York with a convincing 5-1 victory over the Westchester Vipers. This culminated a successful season for the Purple Eagles. They completed the season with a record of 45 wins, 12 losses and 4 ties. 15 wins were by shut outs.
   Coach Gene Mongan of Grand Island had his Eagles ready for the State Championships. They were victorious in all of the 5 games that they played in order to capture the state title. Mongan was heard saying, "This was a complete team victory. The scoring was spread out evenly. The defense was solid. Both of our goalies recorded shut outs. Each of our players made plays when they had to. This was the best hockey that we played all year.”
   By winning the State championship the Eagles are qualified to compete in the USA Nationals being held March 28th – April 1st at the Amherst Pepsi.

Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Peewee Minors Win Championship - 2007
Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles 5 - Depew Saints 2

(front left) James Broomfield, Peter Chopra; (2nd Row) Corey Register, Jake Zimmerman, Anthony Merante, Cody Beaton, Matt Higgins, Ryan Logar; (3rd Row) Zach Remers, Greg Franzek, Kyle Alcorn, Jessica Brownschidle, Maddie Elia, Stephen Schulz, Anthony Yarussi, Joey Colosi, Alan Wopperer, Coach Anthony Yarussi; (4th Row) Manager Alan Elia, Coach Lee Brownschidle, Coach Steve Logar, Head Coach Mike Higgins.
Click photo for larger view
The Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles defeated the Depew Saints 5-2 to capture the 2006-2007 WNYAHL PeeWee minor championship at Dwyer arena. Anthony Merante and Ryan Logar each had a goal and an assist to lead the Jr. Purple Eagle offense while Maddie Elia, Greg Franzek and Zach Remers added a goal apiece with James Broomfield earning the victory in net.

WNYAHL Squirt Minor Championship Game Won By Purple Eagles - 2005

The WNYAHL Squirt Minor Championship Game was won by the Grand Niagara Squirt Minor Junior Purple Eagles who shutout the Rochester Redwings 2-0. Teammates from Grand Island are: Jake Zimmerman, Matt Higgins, Adam Stanczyk, Jessica Brownschidle, Peter Chopra, Anthony Yarussi, Tommy Grenke, and Cyle Alcorn.

Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Squirt Major
Travel Team Take State Championship - 2005

(right) Justin Frentzel - Click photos for larger view.
The Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Squirt Major Travel Team won the state championship in Massena, NY over the March 11-13, 2005 weekend. The Purple Eagles beat Saratoga 1-0. The championship team is coached by Island resident Ralph Lariviere and team members include Justin Frentzel, shown above and Mitch Lariviere of Grand Island. The boys competed in the 10 and under division.

Jr. Squirt Major Purple Eagles Win Championship At NU Tournament
November 2004

The Fuccillo Chevrolet Grand Niagara Squirt Major Jr. Purple Eagles won first place and the championship in their division at the Thanksgiving Tournament at Niagara University this past weekend (Nov. 26-28, 2004). The scores were: 4-0, 4-0, 5-1 and 5-2!!!

Jr. Squirt Minor Purple Eagles Play Well at NU Tournament - 2004

Rebecca Zimmerman (left) and her sister, Nikki, cheer their brother, Jacob, on during the Thanksgiving tournament.
Click photo for a larger view.
   The Jr. Purple Eagle Squirt Minors continued their solid play Thanksgiving 2004 weekend in the NU Thanksgiving Tournament held at Dwyer Arena. The Eagles' first game of the weekend was against the Toronto East Enders. The Eagles came out flying as Matt Higgins put the Eagles up 1-0 just a minute into the game off of a pass from Tommy Grenke. Anthony Merante got the next one for the Eagles as he blocked a shot from the point and raced in on a breakaway making 2-0 Eagles. Ryan Logar put the Eagles up 3-0 to end the first period with assists going to Merante and Adam Stanczyk. The Eagles let up a little after getting the early lead and let a win slip away as they let the East Enders back into the game and to eventually tie the game at 3 in the 3rd period.
   The Eagles second game of the day was against Mentor, Ohio who the Eagles knew they had to beat if they wanted to play in the championship game on Sunday after letting one slip away that morning. This game was all about team defense as the Eagles got great backchecking out of all of the forwards and some excellent play from the defensive unit of Jessica Brownschidle, William Allen, Jacob Zimmerman, Tommy Grenke and Anthony Yarussi to help Michael Thompson pick up the shutout in goal as the Eagles beat Mentor 4-0. Matt Higgins lead the offense with 2 goals while Ricky Rinallo and Ryan Logar each added one. Maddie Elia and Corey Register chipped in with 2 assists each as the Eagles continued to pass the puck as well as they have all season.
   The final game of the preliminary rounds found the Eagles up against a very good Erie team that had already won both of their previous games. The Eagles knew that the winner of this game would move on to play the East Enders in the Championship game the next day but came out a little slow and quickly found themselves in a 2-0 hole. The Eagles finally got on the board 2 minutes into the second period when Adam Stanczyk scored his first of 2 goals in the game from Tommy Grenke and Ryan Logar. Maddie Elia got the next one from Ricky Rinallo and Cyle Alcorn before Stanczyk picked up his second from Anthony Merante and Logar. Matt Higgins put the Eagles up by 2 from William Allen and Rinallo with 6 minutes to play in the game. From that point on the Eagles were determined to get to the championship game as they would not let the Lions get anywhere near the net as they forechecked and backchecked as well as they have all year to end the game with a 4-2 victory and a trip to the championship.
   The championship game was a rematch of the first and just as exciting as each team played their hearts out, giving everything they had for 3+ periods. The East Enders had taken a 1 -0 lead in the last minute of the second period but the Eagles did not give up and finally tied the score half way through the third period when Ricky Rinallo took a perfect pass from Cyle Alcorn and put it up over the East Ender goaltender. Both teams had some good opportunities to take the lead but could not get another one into the net as the 3rd period ended tied at 1. The East Enders finally ended one of the most exciting games of the whole tournament when they put one into the top corner of the net 2 and half minutes into the overtime period. Although they were certainly disappointed, the Jr. Purple Eagles had nothing to be ashamed of as everyone of them had given everything they had in a game that either team could have won in the end.

Division: Pee Wee Tier III - Non- League
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee Tier III
Date: February 26, 2003
Location: Holiday Twin Rinks
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Defeats West Seneca Wings 1-0
   Ryan Boggs stopped 13 shots earning the shutout as the Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles squeaked by the West Seneca Wings 1-0 in Pee Wee action. Erich Schmidt scored the only goal of the game with 2:35 remaining in the second period off assists from Matt Browning and Matt Paonessa.
Click for Scoring Summary.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee Tier III
Date: February 23, 2003
Location: Holiday Twin Rinks
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Defeats Buffalo Hornets 3-2 in Another Wild Finish
   The last time the Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles played the Buffalo Hornets, the Hornets' James Kooken scored with 11 seconds to play for a 3-2 victory. Kooken scored another goal with 11 seconds remaining in the rematch but it was not enough as Grand Niagara hung on for a 3-2 win. DJ Perri gave Grand Niagara a 2-goal lead scoring his team leading 25th and 26th goals (33 games) in the first two periods off assists from Dan McKenna and Marshall Bly respectively. The Hornets closed the gap as Kooken scored with :20 left in the second period off an assist by Derek Smith. Erik Huk scored what proved to be the game winner for Grand Niagara off another assist from Marshall Bly with just 49 seconds to play before Kooken’s second goal. Mitchell Stessing got the win in goal for Grand Niagara.
Click for Scoring Summary.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee Tier III
Date: February 9, 2003
Location: Igloo Arena - Erie
By Lou Paonessa

Erie Lions Escape With 2-1 Win over Grand Niagara
   The Erie Lions kept their regular season title hopes alive with a 2-1 win over the Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles. Erie scored a disputed winning goal with just 25 point 9 seconds remaining in the third period on a power play. Erie thought it had scored the go-ahead goal but it was determined the puck did not cross the goal line. During confusion whether the play was whistled dead, an Erie player pushed the puck into the net and the goal was allowed to stand.
   Ryan Boggs stoned the Lions by stopping 31 of 33 shots for Grand Niagara.
   Erie came into the game with three times the penalty minutes as Grand Niagara, the least penalized team in the league. However it was the Jr. Purple Eagles who were forced to play at least one man short for a majority of the hard hitting contest.
   Erie took a 1-0 lead in the first on a goal by Trevor Moore assisted by Devon Carlson. In the second period, Matt Paonessa was credited with the equalizer for Grand Niagara on a tip of a shot by Matt Browning.
   Grand Niagara penalty killers did a stellar job up to the controversial ending.
Click for Scoring Summary.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee Tier III
Date: January 28-29, 2003
Location: Dwyer Arena/Cheektowaga Recreation Center
By Lou Paonessa

Late Goals Leave Jr. Purple Eagles 0-1-1
   A third period power play goal lead the Buffalo Bisons to a 4-3 victory over the Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Jr Purple Eagles. The next night Cheektowaga Warriors scored in the final seconds to gain a 2-2 with Grand Niagara. In the Buffalo Bisons game, Dan McKenna had a goal and an assist for Grand Niagara, DJ Perri added two assists. Zac Carlisle and Erich Schmidt had the other Jr Purple Eagle goals. Perri had both goals in the Cheektowaga game off assists from Gue Nienburg and Zac Carlisle.
Click for Scoring Summary.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee Tier III
Date: January 25, 2003
Location: Cazenovia Park Ice Arena
By Lou Paonessa

Cazenovia Holds Off Jr. Purple Eagles 2-1
   The Cazenovia Chiefs scored three second period goals and then withstood a third period rally to defeat the Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles 3-2 in Pee Wee action at the Cazenovia Park Ice Arena. Daniel Schieber scored two second period goals around a goal by Frank Buttino for Cazenovia. Dan McKenna scored Grand Niagara’s first goal with 5:05 remaining off an assist from Marshall Bly. Matt Browning pulled the junior Purple Eagles within a goal with 1:23 to play off assists from Matt Paonessa and Erich Schmidt. Grand Niagara pulled its goaltender and applied pressure but could not get the equalizer. Click for Scoring Summary.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Non League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: January 16, 2003
Location: Dwyer Arena
By Lou Paonessa

West Seneca Wings Edge Jr. Purple Eagles 2-1
   The Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles lost to the West Seneca Wings 2-1 in Pee Wee action at the Dwyer Arena. The game remained scoreless into the second period. Ryan Boggs stopped West Seneca’s Matt Leitzel on a penalty shot with 6:00 left in the period but just 2:10 later the Wings Jim McAllister scored off an assist by John Pingnitore. Doug Busse increased the lead to 2-0 in the third off assists from Ryan Zawodzinski and Brian Marreno. Zac Carlisle got Grand Niagara within a goal with 3:34 left off feeds from Dan McKenna and DJ Perri but the home team could not get the equalizer in a penalty marred third period.
   Click "Jr. Purple Eagles" for statistics.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: January 5, 2003
Location: Olean Recreation Center
By Lou Paonessa

Jr. Purple Eagles Defeat Olean Arrows 2-1
   Despite the absence of four skaters in the third period, the Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles were able to hang on and defeat the Olean Arrows 2-1 in Pee Wee A action at the Olean Recreation Center. Dan McKenna got Grand Niagara on the board in the first period on a goal assisted by DJ Perri and Erich Schmidt. Chris Avery on a great individual effort put the Junior Purple Eagles up 2-0 in the second. From that point on, Olean controlled the game but Mitch Stessing stood tall in the nets stopping 17 of 18 shots. Jon Andhor spoiled the shutout in the third period off an assist by Koloman Erway.
Scoring Summary
First Period
7:25 GN Dan McKenna from DJ Perri and Erich Schmidt
Second Period
6:43 GN Chris Avery unassisted
Third Period
11:41 OA Jonathan Andhor from Koloman Erway
Shots on Goals
          1     2     3     total
GN     10     3     5     18
NB     4     7     7     18

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: December 29, 2002
Location: Dwyer Arena
By Lou Paonessa

Thundercats Beat Jr. Purple Eagles 4-1
   The Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles lost to the North Buffalo Thundercats 4-1 in Pee Wee A action. Leading scorer DJ Perri scored in his sixth straight game and had the only goal for Grand Niagara off an assist from Matt Paonessa. North Buffalo scored three unanswered goals in the third period to get the win.
   Click "Jr. Purple Eagles" for statistics.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: December 21, 2002
Location: Dwyer Arena
By Lou Paonessa

Power Play Goals Doom Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles

   The Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles gave up three power play goals and lost to the Canandaigua Knights 5-2 in Pee Wee A action. After falling behind 2-0 DJ Perri got Grand Niagara on the board in the second period and 1:35 later Gus Nienburg got the tying goal off a feed from Chris Avery. After a go ahead goal was disallowed, the Knights scored two power play goals to put the game away.
   Click "Jr. Purple Eagles" for statistics.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: December 14, 2002
Location: Jamestown
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Shutout Jamestown

   The Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles traveled to Jamestown and shutout the Lakers 2-0 in Pee Wee A action. DJ Perri had a goal and an assist for Grand Niagara. Dan McKenna scored the other goal for Grand Niagara and Zac Carlisle also had an assist. Mitchell Stessing started and Ryan Boggs finished the shutout in net for the Jr. Purple Eagles.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: December 7, 2002
Location: Dwyer Arena
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Lose to Erie Lions

   The Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles lost to the Olean Arrows 5-2 in Pee Wee A action at the Dwyer Arena December 7, 2002. Olean went 2-7 on the power play and added a short handed goal to earn the win. The Jr. Purple Eagles enjoyed leads of 1-0 and 2-0 but Olean answered each time in odd manned situations. DJ Perri put Grand Niagara ahead 1-0 in the first period off assists from Matt Paonessa and Zac Carlisle but Olean’s David Bradley scored a shorthanded goal with just 21 seconds left in the first period to tie it. Erich Schmidt gave the Jr. Purple Eagles a 2-1 advantage in the second period off passes from Sam LoPresti and Matt Browning. John Andhor scored two consecutive goals, one of them on the power play to give Olean the lead for good. Bradley scored again in the third, this time on the power play and Derek Whitcomb added an insurance goal for Olean. Nick Sosnowski and Kol Kerway had two assists, Spike Wadsworth and Brent Maedl also had assists for the Arrows.
Scoring Summary
First Period
5:10 GN DJ Perri from Matt Paonessa and Zac Carlisle
:21 Olean David Bradley (SHG) from Kol Kerway
Second Period (time remaining)
5:03 GN Erich Schmidt from Sam LoPresti and Matt Browning
3:58 Olean John Andhor (PPG) from Nick Sosnowski
3:16 Olean John Andhor from Spike Wadsworth
Third Period
11:34 Olean David Bradley (PPG) from Eric Sosnowski and Kol Erway
10:31 Olean Derek Whitcomb from Brent Maedl
Shots on Goal
GN 6 – 3 – 4 = 13
OA 5 – 9 – 8 = 22

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: November 17, 2002
Location: Brockport State College
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Tie Brockport 1-1

   The Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles tied Brockport 1-1 in Pee Wee A action at Brockport State College. Mitchell Stessing made 24 saves for Grand Niagara. Defenseman Erik Huk got the game tying goal unassisted for the Junior Purple Eagles with 10:22 left in the game.
Scoring Summary Nov. 17
First Period
No scoring
Second Period (time remaining)
1:30 Brockport Jonathan Spence unassisted
Third Period
10:22 GN Erik Huk unassisted
Shots on Goal
GN 5 – 9 – 8 = 22
BH 4 – 9 – 12 = 25

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: November 12, 2002
Location: Nichols
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Lose in Final Seconds 3-2

   The Apollo Steel Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Buffalo Hornets NOvember 12, 2002 in Pee Wee A action at Dwyer Arena. Matthew Paladino scored the game winner for the Hornets with just 11 seconds to play. James Kooken scored unassisted in the first period to give the Hornets an early lead but DJ Perri tied the game off passes from Erich Schmidt and Chris Avery. Grand Niagara took the lead midway through the second period when Avery found the net assisted by Marshall Bly and Paul Myers but Jonathan Orcutt tied the game with an unassisted goal just 25 seconds later.
Scoring Summary Nov. 6, 2002
First Period
9:39 BH James Kooken unassisted
7:11 GN DJ Perri from Erich Schmidt and Paul Myers
Second Period
6:45 GN Chris Avery from Marshall Bly and Paul Myers
6:20 BH Jonathan Orcutt unassisted
Third Period
:11 BH Matthew Paladino from Orcutt and Alexander Camiolo
Shots on Goal
GN 2 – 4 – 7 = 13
BH 8 – 7 – 6 = 21

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: November 6, 2002
Location: Nichols
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Defeat Buffalo Bisons 4-1

   The Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles defeated the Buffalo Bisons 4-1 November 6, 2002 in Pee Wee A action at Dann Memorial Nichols Rink. Paul Myers lead the way with two goals and an assist for Grand Niagara. Matt Browning added a goal and an assist. Matt Paonessa also scored for Grand Niagara which also received assists from Ryan Killian, Gus Nienburg and Marshall Bly. The Bisons spoiled a shutout bid by Grand Niagara goaltender Mitchell Stessing when Jamie Malliaris scored with 2:19 remaining in the game off assists from Neal Fatin and Tyler Finn.
   Previously, Grand Niagara dropped a 5-1 road decision to Canandaigua in Western New York Amateur Hockey League Pee Wee A action. Marshall Bly scored the lone Purple Eagle goal off an assist from Matt Paonessa and Ryan Killian.
Scoring Summary Nov. 6
First Period
5:07 GN Paul Myers from Ryan Killian
Second Period
8:01 GN Matt Paonessa from Gus Nienburg
6:11 GN Matt Browning from Paul Myers and Marshall Bly
Third Period
9:22 GN Paul Myers from Matt Browning
2:19 B Jamie Malliaris from Neal Fatin and Tyler Finn
Shots on Goal
GN 6 – 6 – 7 = 19
B 2 – 2 – 6 = 10

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: October 27, 2002
Location: Niagara University
By Lou Paonessa

Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Drop a 4-1 Decision to Jamestown Lakers

The Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles lost to the Jamestown Lakers 4-1 in Pee Wee A action. DJ Perri scored the lone Grand Niagara goal off an assist from Zac Carlisle and Sam LoPresti. Carl Frantz scpred two goals and assisted on a third for Jamestown. Jeff Rozier had a goal and an assist for the Lakers. Ted Turfitt had the other Jamestown goal. Bryce Hanson had two assists and Adam Hover also had an assist.

Division: Pee Wee A Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: October 22, 2002
Location: Niagara University
By Lou Paonessa
Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Skate to a 2-2 Tie With Clarence Mustangs
   The Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles tied the Clarence Mustangs 2-2 in Pee Wee A action. DJ Perri scored a goal off a feed from Jeremy Chopra and Zac Carlisle put Grand Niagara up 2-1 in the second period off an assist by Perri. But Dan Barron scored his second goal of the game off an assist from Jonathan Eckert to tie the game early in the third period. DJ Mocarski assisted on the first Clarence goal. Mitch Stessing stopped 12 of 13 shots and Ryan Boggs made 13 of 14 saves for the Junior Purple Eagles.

Division: Pee Wee A Tier 3 Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: October 18, 2002
Location: Nichols
By Lou Paonessa
Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Defeat Buffalo Bisons 6-1
   The Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles defeated the Buffalo Bisons 6-1 at Dann Memorial Nichols Rink. DJ Perri scored a hat trick and assisted on two goals by Matt Paonessa. Matt Browning scored the other Grand Niagara goal off an assist from Jeremy Chopra. Zac Carlisle and Erich Schmidt also provided assists. Ryan Boggs and Mitchell Stessing split the game in goal for Grand Niagara.

Division: Pee Wee A Tier 3 Travel
League: Western New York Amateur Hockey League
Division: Pee Wee A Travel
Date: October 8, 2002
Location: Niagara University
By Lou Paonessa
Grand Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Soar Over Buffalo Bisons 11-2
   The Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles wore down the Buffalo Bisons 11-2. Grand Niagara scored 7 unanswered goals after the Bisons closed to within 4-2 midway through the second period. Erich Schmidt had a hat trick while DJ Perri and Dan McKenna scored two goals and added two assists for Grand Niagara. Gus Nienburg and Matt Paonessa each chipped in with 1 goal and 2 assists. Zac Carlisle and Chris Avery also scored for Grand Niagara. Ryan Boggs made 16 saves to get the win in goal.
   Bryan Halicki Had one goal and one assist, Neal Fatin scored one goal and Jamie Malliaris had two assists for the Buffalo Bisons.
Scoring Summary:
First Period: (12 minute period)
9:01 remaining GN Erich Schmidt from Gus Nienburg and Sam LoPresti 1-0 GN
6:15 remaining GN Zac Carlisle from DJ Perri and Matt Paonessa 2-0 GN
:16 remaining GN Gus Nienburg from Dan McKenna 3-0 Grand Niagara
Second Period (12 minute period)
10:48 remaining Bisons Bryan Halicki from Jamie Malliaris and Kyle Miskell 3-1 GN
9:15 remaining GN Dan McKenna from Gus Nienburg and Nick Walter 4-1 GN
6:15 remaining Bisons Neal Fatin from Jamie Malliaris and Bryan Halicki 4-2 GN
1:32 remaining GN Matt Paonessa from DJ Perri 5-2 GN
Third Period (20:00 period)
19:52 remaining GN Chris Avery unassisted 6-2 GN
10:07 remaining GN DJ Perri from Zac Carlisle 7-2 GN
8:47 remaining GN Erich Schmidt from Wil Watkins 8-2 GN
2:59 remaining GN Erich Schmidt from Dan McKenna and Nick Walter 9-2 GN
1:30 remaining GN DJ Perri from Jeremy Chopra and Matt Paonessa 10-2 GN
:30 remaining GN Dan McKenna unassisted 11-2 GN
Shots on Goal
First Period GN 7 Bisons 4
Second Period GN 7 Bisons 7
Third Period GN 17 Bisons 7

Division: Pee Wee A Tier 3 Travel
Date: October 1, 2002
Location: Niagara University
By Grand Niagara Coach Craig Boggs
Game Summary:
   The Grand Niagara Junior Purple Eagles defeated the Cheektowaga Warriors 3-1. DJ Perri got Grand Niagara on the board first on a goal assisted by Matt Browning with just 48 seconds left in the first period. Zack Minchen answered back for Cheektowaga midway through the second period, but Matt Browning got the go ahead goal off a feed from Chris Avery and Erich Schmidt snapped home an insurance goal in the third period assisted by Ryan Killian and Avery.
   It was the first game of the season for both teams.

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