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.