WNY Varsity Hockey Federation: Williamsville East advances to semifinals

AMHERST - Two first-period goals and a much deeper roster helped guide the Williamsville East Flames to a 4-1 victory Saturday, besting the West Seneca East Trojans in the small-school, quarterfinal playoffs in the Northtowns Center at Amherst.

Less than four minutes into the contest, Ben Sharf raced up right wall, before making a sharp cut in front of the net to backhand the puck past Trojans goaltender Will Korczynski, giving the Flames a 1-0 lead.

“Those two goalies are on my other team,” said Sharf, referring to the Trojans goaltenders. “I go backhand and five-hole on them every single time [in practice], so the second I had the puck, I knew right away that’s where I was going.”

The Flames’ second first-period goal came at 13:29, on the power play, when John Bielinski, posted in front of the net, tapped in a loose puck. Bielinski picked up another point on the Flames’ third goal, feeding Cole Weppner at 1:28 in the second period.

“Three different lines scored,” said Flames coach Mike Torillo. “I told the guys, ‘This is going to be a game, where if we can control it, they might not have much left in the third period.’”

The Trojans’ lone goal came from the stick of Cory Swift, who scored four times in Thursday’s pre-quarter victory. Swift, a hybrid defenseman/forward, snatched a loose puck from the neutral zone and cruised into the Flames’ offensive zone, uncontested, beating goaltender Adam Dentico with a backhand shot at 9:55 in the second period.

However, for the second time in three days, the Trojans were playing with only 11 skaters. The already short bench was even further deserted as the result of six penalties, including two 7:30 majors.

Jason Cohen whipped a wrist-shot through a forest of humanity and over Korczynski’s right shoulder to give the Flames goal No. 4.

The Flames advance to the small-school semifinals, held Feb. 21 in the Northtowns Center at Amherst and will play the winner of West Seneca West and Williamsville South.

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Reach freelance sportswriter Charles Roberts at CharlesHRoberts@yahoo.com.