"Stick on stick" defense as goalie Zachary Bostrom sets for the shot. The Garden City Wings Middle School Ice Hockey team completed it's regular season on March 15, 2008 with a 6 to 3 win over the Massapequa Chiefs. The team will head into the playoffs, facing off against Levittown / Island Trees in a semi-final game on March 29 at 10 a.m. at the Iceworks Rink in Syosset.

The team's seventh grade players demonstrated their attacking and passing skills as they led the team to this victory. Seventh grade center Conor Gibbons garnered three assists as he passed to seventh grade forwards Ryan Costigan and Christopher Arena, who accounted for a total of three goals. Seventh grade forward Ryan Costigan earned a total of three points on two goals on the two passes from Gibbons, plus an assist to seventh grade wing Matthew Greco. Seventh grade center / defense Christopher Arena totaled two goals, one on a pass from Gibbons, plus a fine unassisted deke and shot over the goalie's shoulder which proved to be the game winner. Sixth grade center John White tallied an unassisted, even strength goal during the wild third period

Center John White skates to open ice. The 16 to 13 shots on goal statistic in favor of the Wings demonstrated that this game was a hard fought by both teams, with plenty of neutral zone battles for control of the puck. The physical aspect of the game was again the province of the two eight grade defense, Robert Tomao and Brooke VanValkenburg, and the seventh grade goalie, Zachary Bostrom. This trio held off a furious third period assault by the Chiefs, who outshot the Wings 8 to 4, but were outscored by the Wings 2 to 1. Sixth grade goalkeeper Cody Mackston continued to improve as he played solidly between the pipes for the first half of the game, permitting just two goals.

The Wings Middle School team includes three goalies: Zachary Bostrom, Adam Hartog and Cody Mackston; four defense: Robert Tomao, Brooke VanValkenburg, Mark Brady and Liam FitzGerald; and ten forwards: Chris Arena, Conor Gibbons, Jack Worstell, Matt Greco, Ryan Costigan, Tyler Biscone, Conor Gallagher, John White, Tim Michel and Joseph Giarraputo.

Forward Joseph Giarraputo moves across the center line as defense Brooke VanValkenburg protects the blue line. The Wings Ice Hockey Club encourages all students to attend their games at the Iceworks rink in Syosset. All skaters in grades FIVE through SEVEN interested in playing competitive ice hockey during our Spring Season are encouraged to join our club. Our Spring Season includes eight games played from mid-April through mid-June. Check our game schedule on our website at www.gcwings.org or contact our General Manager via e-mail at: wingspan68@aol.com. GO WINGS!!

Center Chris Arena attempts a "wide fake and tap through" as he skates into the attack zone. A point blank blast from forward Matthew Greco. Center Conor Gibbons and wing Joseph Giarraputo skate with heads up and sticks down. Goalie Zachary Bostrom freezes the puck as his teammates Matt Greco (8), Chris Arena (87) and Robert Tomao (10) protect him. Wing Tim Michel displays excellent skating style as he races toward the puck.