The Garden City Varsity Ice Hockey team had been struggling the last few games offensively. As they took the ice last Friday against Hicksville High School in an important division game, the coaching staff decided to shake up the forward lines. The new combinations clicked early, as Garden City stunned Hicksville with a barrage of shots in the first seven minutes of the game. Brian Kiernan opened the scoring two and a half minutes into the first period, assisted by linemates Kevin Betts and Aaron Kim. The same combination struck again thirty seconds later, as Brian Kiernan scored assisted by Aaron Kim and Kevin Betts. Ninety seconds later Brian Kiernan scored off a pass from Kevin Seiferth. Shortly afterwards on the same shift, Conor Reeves made a nice defensive play in the Garden City end of the ice. The puck was cleared to Conor Sweeney who made a perfect neutral zone pass to a streaking Brian Kiernan who buried the shot into the Hicksville net. On the ensuing shift, Aaron Kim got the puck over to Ryan Norell who scored Garden City’s fifth goal within the first seven minutes of the game. After a Hicksville timeout, Hicksville fought back and scored two goals before the end of the first period. The period ended with Garden City holding a three goal 5-2 lead.

Three minutes into the second period Garden City was able to capitalize on a Hicksville penalty. The power play unit of Aaron Kim, Scott Mischner, Nick Greco, Kevin Rice and Kevin Seiferth kept the puck in the Hicksville zone for forty seconds. The power play resulted in a wrap-around goal by Aaron Kim. No assists were given on the scoresheet, but the whole powerplay unit deserved credit for the goal. Four minutes later Garden City was slow to line up for a faceoff in their end. This resulted in a Hicksville goal as the referee dropped the puck prior to Garden City being lined up for the faceoff. The period ended with Garden City maintaining a 6-3 three goal lead.

The third period featured strong defensive play by a tiring Garden City squad. Goaltender Jeff Greco had another great game in the Garden City nets. Greco was at his best during the third period, making several crucial saves during the scoreless period. Greco finished the evening with 35 saves, many of which were point blank shots from in front of the net.

Garden City benefited by strong contributions from the Garden City freshmen. Defensemen Tom Rossidis and David Brown played well against the physical Hicksville forwards. Nick Greco continues to play a solid right wing for Garden City. Aaron Kim had a goal and three assists in his first consistent action playing center. Aaron led the team with a plus three rating for the game.

Big contributions from junior forwards Ryan Norell, Kevin Betts, Kyle Seiferth, Brian Kiernan and Scott Mischner. Scott Mischner saw his first extended action playing center and played great two way hockey. Kevin Betts recorded two assists playing right wing and finished the evening with a plus two rating despite playing the end of the game with a painful injury. Kyle Seiferth has found a home in front of the offensive net, often drawing the attention of both of the opposing defensemen. Brian Kiernan had a great game scoring four goals before leaving with an injury early in the second period. Ryan Norell was named by the league as the Varsity Player of the Month for November. Ryan has a tremendous shot and continues to be one of the offensive leaders for Garden City.

Seniors Conor Reeves, Kevin Seiferth, Brian Collins, Kevin Rice and Conor Sweeney all had good games in the must win game for the Wings. Defensemen Seiferth, Rice and Collins have emerged as one of the best defensive trios in the league. Conor Reeves continues to be the most physical of the Garden City forwards. Reeves rotated playing center and left wing during the game, his constant hustle generating two power play opportunities for the Wings. Conor Sweeney had a good game on right wing, especially contributing in the defensive zone besides his great pass in the first period.

The Wings next game is Monday, December 27 th against Long Beach High School. The following weekend, they will take on Jericho High School on Sunday, January 2 nd. Both games are at 6:15 pm at the Iceworks rink in Syosset. Please visit www.gcwings.org for a complete game schedule or for additional information on the Wings.