Women's Ice Hockey

If you're looking for an affordable way to see great hockey--check out collegiate hockey, especially women's college hockey. These young women are passionate and skilled players that definitely could use some crowds cheering them on and some upcoming hockey players to see there is life after house/travel.

Here's what you missed this past weekend at Niagara University. The women's ice hockey team upset nationally ranked No. 4 Mercyhurst in a very exciting overtime. Freshman Kristen Richards scored her biggest goal ever when she put the puck on the top shelf taking the Purple Eagles to a 4-3 victory.

Leading up to that OT, was an exciting game of hard skating, some hitting, lots of shooting and a hard fought game on both sides.

Coach Chris MacKenzie noted that this was a total team effort with everyone working hard to take home the win.

Not only do you see great hockey but there's also a chance to see members of Team USA. Many of these girls play collegiate hockey, taking time away from college to play for the USA.

Aside from that, its a more informal atmosphere after the game where players can connect with their fans.

So in the Western New York area, go to the websites of Niagara University, Buffalo State College, University of Buffalo, RIT, Cornell, Elmira, Syracuse University and check out their schedules. Take note of their opponent and go to that website and find out who plays for Brown, Harvard, Yale, Northeastern and other colleges.

Now an update from WNY Varsity. The girls have taken to the ice with tryouts and practices. They have ordered their jerseys, continue to work on fundraisers and are ready for the puck to officially drop on December 1. The Girls Varsity Hockey Federation of 2010-11 will find seven teams representing nine schools facing off in the Inaugural Season. You can follow what's happening and get the schdule on their Facebook page or at Girls4VarsityIceHockey.com

Two WNY girls are featured in the Fall issue of My Ice Magazine. Katelyn Koester and Brigid O'Gorman each have unique stories to tell and they share their hockey experiences with the world. Katelyn, deaf from birth, will play varsity ice hockey with the girls in the Inaugural season and Brigid shares her experiences in Uganda working in a clinic and sharing her love of hockey with the villagers. Check out My Ice magazine at their website.

My apologies again for not keeping this as current as I had planned. With the season beginning, the news will roll in and I'll share it.

For those in New York State, WNY Hockey Magazine will be premiering a New York State E newsletter in 2011. Watch for it and if you have news to share please send it to me at janetschultz@yahoo.com