Wings Eat Wolves!
In their first-ever XIHL home game, the upstart Buffalo Wings semipro roller hockey team devoured the first place New Jersey Werewolves this past Sunday afternoon at the Kenan Center Arena. A crowd of 173 people witnessed the rough and tumble antics and high-flying play of the Wings as they relentlessly swooped down upon the Werewolves.
The game was close throughout as the Wings overcame a 5-4 deficit at the end of the third quarter to overtake the Werewolves with three unanswered goals early in the fourth quarter. Bart Nawojski (3 goals, 2 assists, 2 penalties) ripped the unassisted game winner with 6:58 left in the game and later assisted on fellow Depew native Jay Downing??s (2 goals, 2 assists) clincher with 2:30 left to secure the victory. Kenmore??s Ryan Perkins had 3 assists and a penalty to show for his finesse and leadership on the floor.
Goaltender Jason Flowers (Lancaster) improved his XIHL record to 2 wins and 1 loss while making numerous outstanding saves, many of them on high quality scoring opportunities. The Wings outshot the Werewolves 45 to 36.
The physical play of gritty Wings?? players Mike Vertino (1 penalty), DJ Zelaski (1 goal, 4 assists) and Dan Seber (1 assist) eventually dogged the Werewolves into submission. Nate Aldinger (Depew) anchored the defense and added a goal. Greg Campbell (1 assist; Cheektowaga), Josh Monaco (Lancaster), and Dave Gagliardi (game-tying goal, 1 roughing penalty; Gasport) also had strong games for Buffalo.
The Wings fly south to Bridgewater, New Jersey for a January 2nd rematch with the Werewolves. The ??wolves will undoubtedly be looking to mark their territory in what will most likely be a must-win situation for the Wings as they seek to finish in fourth place and a chance to qualify for the XIHL??s $2500 championship prize pool on January 22nd and 23rd.
The Buffalo Wings team is hatched entirely from the Buffalo Wings Roller Hockey League??s (BWRHL) nest of local inline hockey players. Deadline to register to play in the upcoming BWRHL Winter Session is January 24th. The session runs from January 29th to April 1st at the Kenan Center Arena and is open to all ages and levels of play.
For more information on the Buffalo Wings and XIHL, please visit www.buffalowings.net, or call Eric Haak at 716-903-2658, Jason Flowers at 716-444-2667, or Jason Klein, CEO of the Buffalo Wings, at 716-465-2345. For more information on the XIHL, please visit www.xihl.com, or contact Benny Gulakiw
Marketing & Public Relations Director, 716.491.2656, [email protected].
About the XIHL:
The XIHL is establishing a solid and stable foundation by joining together some of the most successful semi-pro roller hockey teams currently in existence with a number of new organizations that have confirmed their ability and willingness to operate at the highest level possible. Eventually, the XIHL plans to have teams located throughout North America competing for the ultimate prize in roller hockey, the XIHL Championship and its cash prize.
Buffalo Wings XIHL ??04-??05 schedule:
December 11-12 vs. Philadelphia Sting (win, 12-2), Marple Gladiators (PA) (loss, 10-4), and Ottakringer (NJ) at Garden State Ottakringer Festival, Flyers Skate Zone, Voorhees, NJ
December 19 vs. NJ Werewolves at Buffalo Wings (win, 8-6) Xmas Winter Wings Cup, Lockport, NY
January 2 vs. NJ Werewolves at Bridgewater, NJ
January 22-23 XIHL Championships at TBA
About the Buffalo Wings:
The BWRHL was created in 1997 by Buffalo Wings owners Jason Klein and Dr. Frances Ann Edmonston. The Buffalo Wings operate the Niagara Frontier??s largest, most competitive, and highest quality inline hockey leagues and related offerings. About 30 roller and floor hockey teams play in the BWRHL??s fall and winter home at the Kenan Arena while approximately 100 teams are expected to comprise youth and adult divisions on the Sport Court and Spider Court surfaces at the Amherst Pepsi Center this spring and summer with league play beginning in early April. The Buffalo Wings also offer multiple Nike-sponsored elite travel teams, high school and college divisions, camps & clinics, frequent ??Iron-Man? tournaments, and the very popular Buffalo Wings Cup Tournaments in August and December as well as the NARCh Northeast Regional Tournament in June. The Buffalo Wings strive to be a world-class vertically integrated roller hockey organization for youth and adult participants and spectators of all ages and both genders with offerings for every level of play from beginner to pro.
Nike Buffalo Wings XIHL team roster:
Name Height Weight Hometown
Jason Flowers 5'10 185 Lancater
Brian Hardy 5'10 185 Kenmore
Nate Aldinger 5'10 195 Depew
Mike Angstenberger 5'8 215 Buffalo
Greg Campbell 5'8 145 Cheektowaga
Joe Cicciarelli 5??6? 140 Lockport
Jason Downing 6'2 225 Depew
Jason Dudziak 5'10 165 Lancaster
Dave Gagliardi 5'8 245 Gasport
Eric Haak 6'0 207 Buffalo
Josh Monaco 5'11 195 Lancaster
Bart Nawojski 6'3 195 Depew
Jeremy O'neil 5'7 155 Kenmore
Ryan Perkins 5'11 150 Kenmore
Dan Seber 6??3? 230 Cheektowaga
Matt Stodlemeier 6??0 185 Lockport
Mike Vertino 5'10 190 Kenmore
Dan Wojewada 6'1 180 Lockport
DJ Zelaski 6??4???? 225 Lancaster
Sincerely,
Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central
Sincerely,
Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central
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