NCCC doubles up Kats to open second semester

Niagara County Community College picked up right where it left off with a 4-2 victory against UNYCHL Metro Division rival Erie Community College on Sunday morning at Cheektowaga Rec Center. Transfer goaltender Trevor Goodyear earned his first win, stopping 42 of 44 shots. N-Trip improved to 8-3 on the season.

The Thunderwolves kicked off the scoring 2:39 into the game with a wrist shot by Joey LoBrutto. Using the defenseman as a screen, LoBrutto shot the puck from the high slot over the left pad of ECC goaltender Jayce Faso (36 saves).

Despite losing the possession battle for most of the period, NCCC conceded just one goal in the first period. Hayden Sawynsky, ECC's second-leading scorer, snuck one past Goodyear who was unable to find it through traffic. The lead was restored before the end of the first, though, with Jason Kuchey making a falling pass to Spencer Hrynczak, who pulled it to his backhand and out of the reach of Faso.

Both teams added power-play goals in the second period. Jason Kuchey scored for NCCC, centering the puck off a Kats defenseman and through the legs of Faso. Spencer Hrynczak added the insurance goal with his second tally of the game with 3:07 left to play in the third period. Chuckie Schmidl had a multi-point game for the Thunderwolves with two assists.

The T-Wolves hit the road this weekend as they travel east for a pair of games against UNYCHL Central Division teams. On Saturday evening they take on SUNY Cortland at its Alumni Arena. A short turnaround has NCCC traveling to Cornell University at Noon Sunday to take on The Big Red's club team at their James Lynah Rink.