Buffalo Stars split in Battle of New York

It was a battle between east and west in New York junior hockey circles. Buffalo Stars against NY Applecore in both Empire Junior B and Continental Junior B action. Who would reign supreme?

In Empire Junior B action, the reigning team would be Applecore as they swept the Buffalo Stars in their two game set.  On Saturday, the game started out pretty even as both teams felt each other out and skated to a no score draw to end the first period.  Applecore struck first blood in the second as they scored a third of the way in to take the lead on a shorthanded goal.  Buffalo came right back less than a minute later as Kyle Leto evened the score on the power play.  Applecore came back with a goal of their own mid way into the period and kept the lead to end the period.  Applecore scored quickly to start the 3^rd but Buffalo came to within one as Mike Skopinski slammed one home at 6:41.  That would be it for Buffalo as Applecore scored twice more including an insurance goal into the empty net to take the win 5-2

Buffalo would need to come out strong on Sunday morning. The Stars are usually solid Sunday teams but this day was different. The Stars came out flat and Applecore pretty much dominated from the start. Buffalo did score half way through the game as Reilly Struthers banged one home but Applecore scored the rest en-route to a 7-1 victory.  With the loss Buffalo falls to 10-6 in league play and 12-7-1 overall.

In Continental Junior B action, the Buffalo Stars would reign supreme as they swept their two game set from visiting Applecore CHA B.  On Saturday Buffalo controlled the game from the start as Cody Teijeira struck first just 17 seconds into the game. Frank Briandi added another one just 2 minutes later and the rout was on. Applecore did settle down and played even hockey the rest of the period as it drew to a close at 2-0.  Applecore did make it a game half way into the second period but Zack Haun put the Stars up for good at the 16:28 mark and the period ended at 3-1.  Buffalo came out flying in the third as Ryan Sheehan put the Stars ahead by 3 just 19 seconds into the period. Frank Briandi and Andy Sturtz quickly added goals and found themselves in control. Applecore closed the scoring but it was too little too late and the Stars skated off with a solid 6-2 win.

On Sunday, it was all Buffalo from the start. Zack Haun scored just 33 seconds in and there was no looking back from there. Frankie Briandi and Ben Johnston added a pair each while Zack Haun got his second late in the second period. Singles were added by Mike Schalberg, Michael Boice and Anthony Pellittieri and the Stars skated off with a 9-1 victory.  Buffalo is now 10-5-1 in league play and 12-6-2 overall. The Stars have won their last 8 in a row.

Coming up this weekend, the Stars Empire is off to Syracuse while the Continental B team hosts the Philadelphia Blazers in league play. The Continental C team has a pair of non league games with Erie Midget Major on Saturday and Canisius College Club on Sunday.

For more information about the Buffalo Stars, visit us on line at: www.buffalostars.com

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