A year later, Will-North skates past Niagara-Wheatfield

by Charles Roberts, Metro Source

Revenge is a dish best served cold, right?

The Williamsville North Spartans would probably agree that the hockey rink is a cold enough setting, as they avenged their loss in last year’s Large School Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation championship game by handing the Niagara-Wheatfield Falcons a 2-0 loss on Sunday at HSBC Arena, advancing to regional play.

Sophomore forward Jake Rosen scored the game’s only two goals and was a runaway with the game’s most valuable player award.

The first goal came at 7:50 in the first period when Rosen slung a wrist shot past Niagara-Wheatfield goaltender Vinny Merante on a play that he worked up in the backyard with his father, Bob Rosen, who oh by the way is North’s head coach. 

“He came down and went with a shot we’ve been working on in the backyard, using the defenseman as a screen and shoot to the far side,” Rosen said of his son. “I think my neighbor has a lot of pucks in his yard because it doesn’t always go that well.”

The second goal was a beauty. Rosen buried a one-timer from Jeff McAndrews on a pass that whistled past the sticks of two would-be defenders.

“The first goal, me and my dad worked on it all year and it was like the first time I scored on it, so it felt good,” Rosen said. “The second goal McAndrews threw a perfect pass across.”

While it was fitting that Rosen, the league’s leading scorer (33 points in the regular season) scored the game’s only two goals, the bigger story was perhaps that of goaltender Parker Gahagen. The junior has played nearly every minute of the last two years for North, but a separated kneecap forced him out of last year’s championship game.

It was a scary scene. Gahagen was carted off the ice after lying belly-up for several minutes before the medics were able to stabilize him. Prior to the injury the then sophomore had been a rock. He posted 9-2-2 record with a 0.95 GAA.

Needless to say, being in the hospital while his team suffered a 3-2, triple-overtime loss must have been painful on more than just his left knee.

Gahagen has been eagerly awaiting a chance to not only remain between the pipes in a championship game, but likewise an opportunity to knock off Niagara-Wheatfield.

“To come back here and get redemption on them after getting hurt last year is just a big thing,” said a wide-smiled Gahagen. “The state championship would make it even sweeter, but for now, this will do.”

Coach Rosen wouldn’t call the game revenge or by any means say it was avenging last year’s loss, but did acknowledge it was probably personal for his net-minder.

“We didn’t avenge it,” Rosen said. “Winning is great. I could win against anyone and I’d be happy.”

“I think it was sweet in the back of his (Gahagen’s) mind, knowing what took place last year. I think it was a great opportunity for him to avenge last year. I hate to say that, but…”

North’s next game will take place on Saturday, March 6, with a time, location and opponent yet to be determined.