Monday, May 24, 2010

Don't Let This Die

Well the school budgets are passed. When will the Districts step up and agree to field girls varsity ice hockey for Fall 2010. A group of parents, coaches, players and supporters have worked diligently for four years to make this happen. They have been put off by Athletic Directors, Superintendents and Boards of Education long enough. They have four teams committed and need one more to make the league. They even have a district who won't commit until they have five--why won't that district be number 5??? The boys in WNY have had a varsity league for years. The group has proven the same commitment and probably more for the girls. They have offered to fund raise, they have proven there are enough players for this year and in years to come. I guess my frustration is coming out in that women have to work so hard for everything they accomplish even after all these years. We thought we had equal rights, we thought we had support from our families, friends and male counterparts to move up and on in the world--Hey everyone--that includes Sports. The physicalness of hockey makes it necessary for women and men to be separated. However, women's hockey is still hockey and still carries some physical attributes--has any looked at penalties in women's hockey at the collegiate level--did anyone watch the physical play of the olympic teams? Come one WNY, step up to the plate and show the world that we love our hockey here at all levels and all genders!!!

if this doesn't happen for Fall 2010, it will be a travesty for the area, for women's hockey and hockey in general. GIRLS DESERVE TO PLAY ICE HOCKEY!!!!

N

Saturday, May 15, 2010

I apologize for my lack of blogging in the past few weeks. I've had a lot of personal travel to do and in a couple of places hard to access internet. Hockey hasn't gone away just because seasons ended, schools are coming to a close and championships have been awarded.

Western New York faired very well in amateur hockey play.

The Buffalo Bison's U!2 team tied for fifth place overall, posting two wins and one loss in the round robin play of the Nationals. The Bison's finished the year with an overall record of 34 wins, 22 losses and 6 ties. They took the Conference Title in the Canadian League and played in the Canadian Frozen Four.

The Bison's U14 team beat the Northern Lights Silver in the first game of the taking them to the quarterfinals where they lost 5-2. Both goals coming in the second.

The Niagara Junior Purple Eagles Tier II U14 Team made their first national appearance and played through to the semi=finals before being defeated by the Bay State Breakers, the 2010 National Champs.

Buffalo Bisons U16 Team lost in the first round of the nationals.

In the Women's Senior A Division a combined team made up of players from the Rochester Edge and other Western New York teams were the first ever to play in the nationals at this level. Although defeated they made a good showing by beating Assebet Valley and Team Connecticut before losing to Minnesota, the champion from the last three of four years.

In the 30 Plus Division the Rochester Edge beat the Columbus Capitals and then lost to the East Coast Wizards and Team Michigan.

More on collegiate in next blog.

For complete Women's coverage look for copies of Western New York Hockey magazine at news stands in Wegmans.