McQuaid is seeking its first NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division I Championship since 2015, while Orchard Park is looking to claim its first title is school history. Here’s what you need to know:
MCQUAID KNIGHTS (19-5-0/Independent)
vs.
ORCHARD PARK QUAKERS (17-6-0/ECIC Division I/ Section VI)
How they arrived here: McQuaid (No. 2 NYSSWA Division I) earned a first-round bye to the quarterfinals and took a 5-2 victory over No. 7 seed Greece Storm and then defeated No. 3 seed Penfield 3-2 in overtime to return to the Class A championship for the first time in nine years. The Knights captured the Class A title with a 4-2 victory over No. 5 seed Portside Royals and defeated Ithaca 2-1 in the NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division I Western Regional game. Orchard Park (No. 3 NYSSWA Division I) opened its Section VI playoffs with a 6-1 victory over Lancaster and claimed its third straight title with a 5-1 victory over Williamsville North. The Quakers opened the NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division I tournament with a 1-0 victory over West Genesee.
Trends: McQuaid has won six of its last seven contests. The Knights have given up two goals or fewer in their last four games. Orchard Park has won its last four contests. The Quakers have given up a goal or less in all four contests.
Players to watch for McQuaid: Jack Callery Jr. F 21 goals, 22 assists, 43 points; Liam Palmer Sr. F 10 goals, 16 assists, 26 points; Eli Wiegand Jr. D six goals, 17 assists, 23 points; Connor Emens Jr. D six goals, 13 assists, 19 points; Anthony Gonzalez Fr. G 7-1-0, one shutout,1.76 goals against average, .923 save percentage.
Orchard Park: Tyler Buchheit Jr. F 18 goals, 20 assists, 38 points; Carter Zakrzewski Jr. F 17 goals, 14 assists, 31 points; Brennan O’Hara Jr. F 14 goals, 15 assists, 29 points; Jonah Reashor Sr. F 10 goals, 13 assists, 23 points; Brayden Hearn Sr. G 17-2-0, one shutouts, 1.85 goals against average, .927 save percentage.
Coaches: Joe Dugan (McQuaid), Josh Dannecker (Orchard Park)
History 101: McQuaid is seeking its first state finals appearance since 2015 when the Jesuit Knights claimed a the title. Orchard Park is seeking its first NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division I championship. This will be the first meeting between the two programs in NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey tournament. McQuaid will look to be the first Section V to win a NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Division I title…
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