The book for Pal-Mac: Collin Murphy (1a), Brandon Hawkins (1g), Jake Gallina (1a), James Blazey (2g-1a), Joe Lyko (1g-1a), Grady Arnold (1g), Nate Arnold (2g), Brian Burger (1g), Goaltending: Jared Hurlbutt 9s/6ga = 60% (48 mins).

The book for Grand Island: Joe Boyko (2g-2a), Trevor Samplinski (2g), Jason Lupp (1g), Dalton Nyitrai (1g), Zach Valvo (1a). Goaltending: Noah Treator 15s/8ga = 66%

2017-06-03 - Section Five representative Palmyra-Macedon defeated Section Six representative Grand Island 8-6 in the Western Regional Championship.  At the same time, Pal-Mac girls defeated East Aurora 17-0 to become the Girls Western Regional Champions. The Red Raiders trailed for a significant portion of the game before mounting a four goal comeback in the final quarter.  Pal-Mac held the Vikings scoreless for the final 13 minutes.  James Blazey led the Red Raiders in scoring with 2g-1a. 

The Red Raiders scored the first goal of the game with a fast-break. Attackman Collin Murphy assisted Blazey on the first of his two goals.  The Vikings scored the next two goals to finish out the quarter.  Dalton Nyitrai scored the first goal during a man-up situation with a feed from Joe Boyko.  Three minutes later, Boyko scored a goal on a single player dodge.  The Vikings led 2-1 after the first 12 minutes.  In the second quarter, Grand Island added two more and continued to hold the Red Raiders scoreless.  Trevor Samplinski scored an unassisted goal with a drive from behind to start out the second quarter.  One minute later, long stick Zach Valvo assisted Jason Lupo to put the Vikings up by three (4-1 at the half).

Pal-Mac exploded in the second half, outscoring Grand Island 7-2 in the final 24 minutes.  Blazey came out of halftime and scored his second goal with a drive to the cage.  On his way to cage, he tripped and followed through with a shot.  Grand Island responded with a dead ball drive from behind the cage and a cross crease feed from Boyko to Samplinski.  Long stick Nate Arnold scored the next goal unassisted with a fast-break goal.  The Red Raiders kept up their scoring and pulled within one goal with Jake Gallina assisting Brandon Hawkins.  The Vikings scored the last goal of the quarter off a slow break drive from Boyko.  That was the last Grand Island goal.  The Vikings held the 6-4 lead going into the final 12 minutes.

Most of the final quarter lacked in scoring. Pal-Mac had trouble putting shots on cage and Grand Island had trouble getting shots in general.  Pal-Mac’s comeback four goals all came within 97 seconds.  All four goals were scored by different players.  Brian Burger scored the first with a drive around the back side of the cage and cut back inside for the goal.  Forty-five seconds later, Joe Lyko scored with an outside shot and a feed from Blazey.  A quick turnaround later, Grady Arnold scored off an inside feed from Lyko.  Arnold’s goal was the first time that the Red Raiders had the lead since 1-0 for two minutes in the first.  Nate Arnold scored the final goal off a face-off fast-break. 

The Red Raiders held on for the final 3 minutes to secure the win.  In the cage for Pal-Mac, Jared Hurlbutt recorded 9 saves.  For Grand Island, Noah Teator had a standout game and recorded 15 saves.  They will continue on to play Jamesville-Dewitt on Wednesday at CNS at 4:00.