Varsity Ice Hockey Splits

The Garden City Wings Varsity Ice Hockey team played two games in the last week. On January 16, the team faced-off against Syosset High School. After a lengthy delay due to do glass problems, Garden City came out flying and scored three times in the first period. Conor Reeves got things started with an unassisted goal three minutes into the game. Nick Greco slammed home the second goal off a nice pass from Scott Mischner. Kevin Seiferth recorded the second assist on Greco’s goal. Brian Kiernan got the third goal off a pass from Conor Reeves to close out the scoring for the first period. In the first period, Garden City had an advantage in shots of 15-5 over Syosset.

In the second period, Garden City increased their lead by two goals. Ryan Norell scored a minute into the period, assisted by Scott Mischner and Kevin Rice. Two minutes later Brian Kiernan scored, assisted by Aaron Kim. Syosset had a great scoring chance early in the period, as one of their forwards picked up a loose puck and came in on a breakaway on goaltender Jeff Greco. Greco played the move made by the Syosset forward perfectly to keep Syosset off the scoreboard. Midway through the period, Tom Hickcox replaced Jeff Greco in nets for Garden City. The second period also featured Garden City’s first penalty shot of the year, taken by Kevin Rice. The period ended with Garden City holding a 5-0 lead and a 30-11 shot advantage.

Garden City scored three more times during the third period. Ryan Norell scored an unassisted goal six minutes into the period. Kevin Betts knocked in a goal four minutes later, assisted by Conor Reeves and Aaron Kim. Brian Kiernan got the last goal, assisted by the Seiferth brothers, Kyle and Kevin. In the 8-0 victory, Garden City held at 40-11 shot advantage.

Goaltender Tom Hickcox made two nice saves in the third period to preserve the first Garden City shutout of the year. Both goaltenders, Jeff Greco and Tom Hickcox played well in the victory. Both goaltenders now have a goals-against-average for the season of under 3.00 per game.

Good defense is a team effort. Leading the effort were the Garden City Defensemen Brian Collins, David Brown, Mike Makris, Kevin Rice, and Kevin Seiferth. Strong back-checking by forwards Conor Reeves, Scott Mischner, Aaron Kim, Kevin Betts, Nick Greco, Conor Sweeney, Kyle Seiferth, Ryan Norell, and Brian Kiernan.

On Sunday January 30 th, the Wings took on Wantagh/Seaford High School in a league division game involving the top two teams. The high tempo first period featured end-to-end action, with Wantagh generating the better scoring opportunities. Garden City goaltender Jeff Greco was fantastic during the period in keeping the Wings in the game. Greco made three brilliant stops on a barrage of shots midway through the period. With a little over a minute left in the period, Wantagh scored during a scramble in front of the Garden City net and led after one period 1-0.

Garden City once again was out shot during the second period. Wantagh scored twice during the period and held a 3-0 lead after two periods. Early in the third period, Wantagh increased their lead to four goals. Despite being down by four goals, Garden City did not quit. With seven minutes remaining in the game, Aaron Kim scored off a pass from Conor Reeves. Ninety seconds later, Brian Kiernan hit the net off a pass from Ryan Norell to cut the lead down to two goals. Two minutes later, with Garden City pressing in the Wantagh zone, Wantagh broke out and scored on a three on one break. Wantagh added a late breakaway goal with twenty seconds left in the game for a 6-2 victory over Garden City.

Despite the score, overall it was a very good effort by the Garden City team. Jeff Greco stopped 35+ shots in the game. Garden city successfully killed off three penalties during the game. The penalty killing units consisted of Ryan Norell, Brian Kiernan, Conor Reeves, Aaron Kim, Brian Collins, Kevin Seiferth, Kevin Rice, Tom Rossidis, David Brown, and Mike Makris. Great back-checking efforts by centers Scott Mischner, Aaron Kim and Conor Reeves. Strong corner work by Kevin Betts, Conor Sweeney, Nick Greco, and Kyle Seiferth.

The playoff bound Wings have a 11-6-1 record. Their next game is Saturday, February 5 th against the Great Neck Bruins. Game time is at 12:30 pm at the Parkwood rink in Great Neck. Please visit www.gcwings.org for a complete game schedule or for additional information on the Wings.