NCCC icers roll past rival Kats

Niagara County Community College put a bow on its first-semester schedule with an 11-3 UNYCHL divisional win over local rival Erie Community College on Saturday night at the Hyde Park Ice Pavilion. The Thunderwolves enter the holiday break with an overall record of 7-3.

NCCC scored four times in the first period on ECC goaltender Jacob Gish. Joey Novak opened the scoring with his first goal of the season after converting a pass from teammate Will Casullo on a 2-on-1 break. Matt Stewart, Gavin Cerrillo and Joey LoBrutto also scored in the opening 20 minutes.

The T-Wolves continued to pour it on in the second period with goals from Thomas Dworak, Conner Kaluzny and Chuckie Schmidl. For Dworak and Kaluzny it was their first goals of the season.

Novak and Kaluzny put the game out of reach early in the third period, while teammates Jason Kuchey and Chuckie Schmidl added some insurance late. Phil Cerrillo earned his fourth win of the year in net.

NCCC returns to the ice on Jan. 22 for a rematch with the rival Kats.