Jameson Motyka scores a goal early in the first period for BND United. Photo by Steve Ognibene
A packed house on Thursday for the Section V Class B quarterfinal in hockey had plenty of reasons to cheer as Batavia Notre Dame United dominated Churchville-Chili for an 8-1 win.
United outshot CC 38-17.
Jameson Motyka scored 5 goals, a hat-trick, coming within in the first eight minutes.
"In the first couple minutes, we started off kind of slow, but once we put the first one in, they just started coming real quick," Motyka said. "In the second period, we kind of took a step back, and then we went back at it in the third. It was a good period to end on going into the next game."
Churchville-Chili’s lone goal was in the second period on a shot by Anthony Indiano.
Point totals for BND United:
Jameson Motyka – 5 goals, 2 assists
Brady Johnson – 1 goal, 3 assists
Jake Hutchins – 1 goal, 1 assists
Sam Pies – 3 assists
Cadan Shamp - 1 goal
Chase Cummings - 1 assist
Will Stevens - 1 assist
Maggie Buchholz - 1 assist
Luke Staley - 1 assist
Goalie- Rhys Tanner - 1 assist, stopped 16 shots in net
BND United, seeded second in the tournament, plays this Wednesday at home vs #3 seed Webster Schroder at 6 p.m.
It was senior night for the Batavia Ramparts 18U team at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena as they took on, and went on to beat, the Rochester Jr American 5-0.
There are 12 seniors on the team.
The team consists of juniors and seniors at schools in the region.
Goalie Trent Thomson recorded the shut-out on Sunday.
Scoring:
1. Evan Schwerthoffer, assist Trent Thomson
2. Colton Smith, assist Julian Hunsinger
3. Colton Smith, assists Julian Hunsinger and Carter Fix
4. Noah Korczak, assists Micah Flores and Gavin Zinkievich
A battle of top section V hockey teams at The McCarthy friday evening, BND United beats McQuaid 3-2. Photo by Steve Ognibene
A 3-2 victory over McQuaid by Batavia Notre Dame United was a big win for the program said Coach Marc Staley after the game.
The difference came down to United killing a penalty while scoring on its own power play in the third period.
We had that one chance," Staley said, "and we scored on it. We talked about it going into the third period, if we could score on a power play and get the lead, I felt comfortable that we could shut them down."
Staley said the team went with a 1-1-3 defense in the third and it was effective.
"We had 38 clears in the third period, which is crazy, but the kids really committed to blocking shots, getting in lanes, limiting second chances, winning face-offs, doing all that stuff that doesn't show up on the score sheet," Staley said.
Ten minutes into the first period, Luke Staley took a slap shot from the point, and Jameson Motyka redirected a tip-in goal to start the scoring.
McQuaid, one of the top-ranked Class A teams in the state, scored in the second to tie the game when Lou Zaari passed to Sean Donlon.
Two minutes later, BND answered on a fast break from Sam Pies to Jameson Motyka to regain the lead 2-1.With two minutes left in the second, McQuaid scored a goal from Conor Edgecomb to tie the game.
The third period brought McQuaid their first penalty of the game. Brady Johnson capitalized a power-play goal, from Jameson Motyka past goalie Owen Salinas.
In the net, Rhys Tanner stopped 28 of 30 shots on goal.
BND United is now 9-5-2 on the season and plays on the road versus McQuaid next Saturday at Rochester Ice Center at 3:45 p.m.
BND United Jameson Motyka skating up the ice. Photo by Steve Ognibene
A battle at SUNY Brockport on Thursday between Batavia Notre Dame United and the Portside Royals ended with a 3-0 win for BND.
In the second period, Jameson Motyka scored the first goal of the game, unassisted a couple of minutes in
Four minutes later, Sam Pies passed to Motyka for his second score.
The score was unchanged until a couple of minutes left in the game. Chase Cummings scored the third goal off a dump-in zone, which was off the glass and ricocheted into a misplay by the goalie.
Each side fired 29 shots on goal during the game.
Shots on goal were 29 each on both sides.
BND's Rhys Tanner stopped all 29 shots from Portside to record the shutout. He also noted his 1,000th career save.
"You got to be community," Tanner said after the game. "You got to communicate with the D. If they get the puck, I tell them one, one on one, or the two on. I just tell them back, back, back, rim out, if you got to get the puck out. It's fine; as long as they don't have possession, they can't score. That is what our philosophy is. So we just stuck to the 1-1-3. It worked really well. They couldn't get out of the zone."
United is now 6-3-2 and on the road to play New Hartford, Friday at 7 p.m.
BND United goalie, Ryhs Tanner surrounded by his teammates after game with shutout victory, making a shutout stopping all 29 shots on goal and also 1000 career saves in his senior year. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The Elmira Impact are set to kick off the new year with a special two-game series against the Hershey Cubs at Dave McCarthy Memorial Arena on January 4 and 5.
The matchups are as follows:
Elite Division
Jan. 4 at 8:25 p.m.
Jan. 5 at 5:55 p.m.
Premier Division
Jan. 4 at 5:40 p.m.
Jan. 5 at 1:35 p.m.
Children 12 and under receive free admission. Tickets can be purchased at elmiraimpact.com/tickets.
Get ready for an action-packed weekend of hockey as the Impact take on their rivals to start the new year.
The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association is offering a Beginner Ice Hockey Learn to Play Program at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, located on Evans Street next to the Batavia Fire Department in Batavia. This program is open to boys and girls ages 4 and up, and no prior skating experience is needed.
Session I lasts for 15 weeks and costs $125, while Session II is also 15 weeks and costs $75. The program starts on October 5.
A Beginner Orientation will take place on Wednesday, October 2, at 6 p.m. at the rink, and everyone is invited to attend. For additional information, including the schedule and registration instructions, please contact Marcia Barnes at 585-409-1383 or via email at Barnes.marcia21@gmail.com.
For more details, visit www.BataviaRamparts.com. Don’t go through life without goals—play hockey! GO RAMPARTS!
Countless awards, plaques, trophies, jerseys, and team photos lined the stage during this year’s annual hockey banquet at the Batavia High School auditorium on April 14.
The 2023-2024 BND United hockey season brought much to celebrate and while the many accolades are not surprising for a team led by accomplished coaches and comprised of highly talented players, the true force behind their achievement is not found within every team.
This year’s team was special, and their unity resulted in an extraordinary season. The appreciation of the sport along with the love between coaches and teammates filled the auditorium and was expressed in the numerous tear-filled and humorous stories shared on the stage.
The overwhelming feeling of comradery and family appears to be the true force behind their Championship season, and, together, they have created memories and a devotion that will forever connect them. This season’s story is one of hard work, talent, support, encouragement, respect, and selflessness.
BND United junior, Ivan Milovidov, described as a top-ranked hockey player and a fantastic young man, played a significant role in the team’s unification, strength, and overall success.
If you had the opportunity to watch Ivan on the ice, you witnessed something special. Ivan is an extremely gifted hockey player with character and leadership qualities that are equally impressive.
Among the many honors presented during the banquet was the WDF (Wisdom, Determination, Fortitude) Award, granted annually to a deserving BND United hockey player in remembrance of Wayne D. Foster.
The Wayne D. Foster Foundation Inc. carefully selects a young player who best displays Wayne’s goodwill, courage, and integrity. The honoree is considered based on their work ethic, wisdom, determination, courage, how they interact and care for others, and their unselfish play.
Through observations and in speaking with coaches, parents, and players, it was clear that Ivan was the perfect choice, making it a great privilege for the foundation, represented by Wayne’s grandson, Chase Pangrazio, to present Ivan with this year’s WDF scholarship and trophy.
The Wayne D. Foster Foundation is proud to recognize Ivan and the BND United hockey program. We wish to extend our congratulations to Ivan and the 2023-2024 BND United coaching staff and team for an outstanding season.
Team championship members and coach Charlie O'Geen of the BMHL Newstead Homes Kings Photo by Steve Ognibene
Newstead Homes Kings beat Kelly's Holland Inn Stars, 6-1, on Sunday at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena to win the Batavia Men's League Hockey Championship.
The Kings came out of the locker room hot, opening the first period with goals by Dan Eckerson, Evan Eckerson, and David Holtz.
"We knew going in that they were going to come out flying, and we just had to play our game," Evan Eckerson said. "Gary (Schum), our goalie, he played a heck of a game, and you can't really ask anything else of him. He didn't allow a goal until 10 seconds left."
Eckerson said his team scored "not the greatest goal" to take a 1-0.
"But, hey, they all count. They all look the same on the score sheet. That got us on the board and that got us the momentum to keep going through the first period."
In the second period, the Kings took advantage of a penalty, with Shane Wiseman netting a power-play goal, assisted by Mitch Ernst.
The Stars got some quality shots on Schum in the second and third period, but the goaltender was equal to the task.
"This team has been all about energy, checking the whole season long, and today they did a great job in front of me -- pressuring the puck and resolving the turnovers," Schum said. "Defensively, they were just great in our own zone today."
The Kings' netminder kept the Stars scoreless through four penalty kill opportunities in the third period until, with 9.3 seconds to play, Jason Hauesser scored for the Stars.
Evan Eckerson added two more goals late in the third period, getting the hat trick and securing the most valuable player award for the game.
Kings Coach Charlie O'Geen, the last original active member of the league, won his sixth championship.
"We won the championship with Charlie a couple of years ago," Eckerson said. "There's no better guy who deserves it more. He's one of the first ones. He's been here since the start, and he's still here, still winning championships, picking championship teams."
The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association (GAHA) Timbit Beginners will be participating in their end-of-the-year “Jamboree” on Saturday, March 23 starting at 9 a.m. at the David McCarthy Memorial Arena. The world has the Olympics, Buffalo has pond hockey, but we have the Beginner Cross-Ice Event – “THE JAMBOREE”.
The draft has taken place and the teams are set. Game schedules are confirmed and the blue lines are waiting for the hockey players to stand on them for the National Anthem.
The Rink will be divided into three areas and two teams will play against one another in 2-minute shifts for 12 minutes; then they move on to play more “games” with other teams – a Total of 4 games. Since there are five (5) teams the team not scheduled for a “game” will participate in skill drills in the middle section.
At 9 a.m. the players will be introduced one by one as they step onto the ice and proceed to the Blue Line for the National Anthem. We’d love to have you join us and capture the progress of the little players ages 4 to 12.
This year the Beginner Program consisted of 61 registered players. They are coached by Brennan Briggs along with Nick Harris as well as many other dads, family members plus GAHA Student Coaches serving as on-ice helpers.
Without all of this support, it would be impossible to run this program. Most of the players have been on the ice since early October through today. About 26 joined the program in early January after participating in the November USA Hockey – Try Hockey for Free Event.
At practices they run through drills established by USA Hockey’s American Development Modules – six stations are set up around the rink and a different drill is introduced at each station. The players move from station to station.
GAHA is thankful for the sponsorship of its Beginner Program by the local Tim Horton Shop managed by Dave Lumberg. They provide the jerseys for all of the players as well as Timbit donuts for our special functions throughout the year.
For this Jamboree the players are divided into five teams (featuring the Black Team, the Royal Blue Lightnings, the Navy Blue Angels Team, the White Morasco’s Rink Rats, and the Red Crushers) denoted by the color of their jerseys and will play five 12-minute games with shifts of 2 min. A great time is had by all.
At the end of the Jamboree the GAHA organization will offer a free family skate for the Beginner Program until Noon and the McCarthy Rink Staff and Management will be providing “free” rental skates for those participating.
Batavia Notre Dame United's historic season—a sectional title and 22 wins—came to a disappointing end in the state semifinals of hockey in Buffalo on Saturday.
United lost to Skaneateles, the defending Division II champions, 7-2.
Jameson Motyka scores a goal in the second period. Motyka added two more goals to get the hat-trick including the game winner in overtime. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The third goal, the hat-trick for Jameson Motyka, was the game-winner in overtime for Batavia Notre Dame United in its regional state qualifier at RIT on Saturday.
United beat Kenmore 3-2 to advance to the state semifinal game on Saturday at Harbor Center in Buffalo. Game time is 2 p.m.
BND had a chance to jump to an early lead when Kenmore got into penalty trouble in the first period, at times, being down by two men, and while United managed 14 shots, none made it into the net.
The game was scoreless after the first period of play.
Kenmore took the lead midway into the second period and then with three minutes left, United tied it up on a pass from Noah Whitcomb to Sam Pies to Jameson Motyka.
In the third, United took a penalty with eight minutes remaining in the game, and Kenmore scored shortly after to lead 2-1. With 1:48 left, Motyka netted his second goal with assists to Whitcomb and Brady Johnson to send it into overtime.
Motyka's game-winning goal came eight minutes into OT.
Coach Marc Staley praised his team for its second straight post-season OT effort.
"I can't be more proud of this team," Staley said. "These kids are the most resilient team I have ever had the pleasure of coaching. They believe in each other. They commit 100 percent to the systems and structure we have laid out. They play for each other. They love each other, and they just never get rattled.
"The support we have received from the community has been overwhelming," he added. "Truly overwhelming. Local businesses, our youth hockey program here in Batavia, the entire staff at the McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, family, friends, alumni, you name it. There are so many people along for the ride with these kids right now. It's a 'feel good"' story for Batavia, and nobody wants it to end. One way or the other, it's going to end this weekend."
The win put United in rarified company in high school hockey, Staley noted.
"There are only four teams in New York State still playing hockey right now, and we are one of them," Staley said. "I feel in my heart that nobody deserves this more than these kids do. I do know one thing: whatever happens this weekend, we are coming to play. We are not afraid. We're going for it."
BND will play its semifinal game against Skaneateles. That team is the defending state champion and is 22-1 on the season. United, which won its first Section V title this season, is 22-2.
BND United's first-ever Section V, Class B championship after three years as a unified program. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Notre Dame, a merged hockey team in its third year as a united unit, won its first Section V Class B championship Monday in dramatic fashion -- pulling out an overtime victory.
United struck first in the first period.
Brennen Pedersen came off the bench to keep the puck from crossing the blue line for offsides, taking a pass from Jameson Motyka and opening up the scoring for United 1-0 with seven minutes left in the opening period.
Nine minutes into the second period, Ivan Milovidov scored unassisted, which gave United a 2-0 lead.
Webster Thomas cut the lead by one goal, scoring with four minutes left in the period to make it 2-1.
In the third period, after two penalty kills, United maintained the lead with under four minutes left. Webster Thomas scored again to tie the game 2-2 and send it into overtime.
In overtime, each squad had opportunities until Joe DiRisio scored the game-winner on a rebound to give BND the Class B title.
BND United had 34 shots on goal. Rhys Tanner made 32 saves for United.
Section V awards were given to Joe DiRisio, named MVP, and Ivan Milovidov, player of the game.
United moves on to the Regional round versus Kenmore East at Noon on Saturday at RIT.
Coach Marc Staley said he told his team going into overtime to take a couple of deep breaths and go out and do what they've done all year, to trust the process.
"This game could have gone either way," Staley said. "I mean, their goalie made some great saves. Our goalie made some great saves. We ended up getting a loose puck in front of the net, and we banged it home. That's how it goes."
He added, "You know, you get a little luck when you need it. We got a little luck when we needed it."
DiRisio, who scored the winning goal, credited the win to the close bond between team members.
"We just stayed together, really, DiRisio said. "We're brothers. We're family. We love each other. And we knew we had to stay level for it. I feel like being level mentally is 80 percent of the game. It's just it's huge."
The win, making history for the program, was a magical moment, he said.
"Obviously, it's history. It's kind of a numbing feeling because you're just so excited; at least, I am. It's just, it's incredible. It really is."
In a charity hockey game on Sunday at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, Batavia PD beat the City Fire Department pretty handily, 11-3, but more importantly, 598 people attended, and the event raised $2,660 for the David M. McCarthy Memorial Foundation.
The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association hosted 37 registered youngsters as well as five “walk-ins” at the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evans Street on Saturday for a Try Hockey For Free Event as part of “USA Hockey Week Across America,” which was celebrated at 285 ice areas across the entire United States.
Starting at 10:40 a.m. and going until noon, local youth, ages 4 to 9, were welcomed at the rink to experience getting on the ice, learning how to “skate”, getting up after falling, basic skills with a hockey stick and shooting punks into a hockey net (all by being guided by the head coach and on-ice helpers). This year, the youngsters had the experience of shooting on actual goalies.
“We welcomed families to McCarthy Ice Rink from Batavia, Buffalo, Byron, Corfu, LeRoy, Nunda, East Bethany, Alexander, Byron, Brockport, Albion, Wyoming, Rochester, and Elba to try our great sport of ice hockey,” said Sharon Gray, coordinator of the “Try Hockey for Free” event.“Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces and for the youngsters the on-ice experience.”
The head coaches for today’s event were Tim Sprague and Dan Calkins – both with more than 30 years plus starting out as GAHA players, high school players and GAHA coaches over the years. Most of the on-ice helpers were from this year’s Batavia-Notre Dame United high school team along with their coaches – Marc Staley and John Kirkwood.
The youngsters were excited to be coached, aided and skating with these local athletes. Also on the ice were coaches and players from the GAHA organization. The beginning of the event featured the playing of the National Anthem, and the little people stood so proudly alongside the BND players!
The event is hosted by Try Hockey for Free Coordinators, Sharon and Bob Gray, and the GAHA Beginner Player Coordinator, Marcia Barnes, on behalf of the Genesee Amateur Hockey Association, which provided the ice, and the McCarthy rink staff, Katie Murray (general manager), Matt Gray (rink operating manager), and their staff.
It is the team’s goal to provide the hockey experience to area youngsters free of charge and encourage them in October to become a player in the GAHA Beginner Program, which starts the first week of October.The Beginner Program consists of two sessions (October to December and January to March) with a total of 15 on-ice hours per session.
The skates used by the youngsters were provided “free of charge” by the McCarthy Rink Management Group.
USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.Pure Hockey (sponsor of USA Hockey) provided free USA Try Hockey jerseys to each child.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:THE NEXT THFF EVENT WILL BE THE FIRST SATURDAY OF NOVEMBER 2024!!!
Ivan Milovidov receives a pass from Jameson Motyka for a goal in the second period. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Batavia Notre Dame United opened sectional play on Thursday as the #1 seed in Class B and came away with the expected victory over Geneseo/Avon/Livonia.
United (19-2) won 6-1 at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena.
United scored first on a pass by Jake Hutchins and Orion Lama to Ivan Milovidov.
Five goals in the second period gave United a 6-0 lead.
Three goals were scored by Ivan Milovidov, giving him more than 100 career points.
Brady Johnson and Jake Hutchins also scored.
Goaltender Rhys Tanner lost his shot at a shutout when Matt Mulvaney scored for Geneseo with four minutes left in the game.
United plays next Wednesday at home against #5 seed Canandaigua. The game time has not yet been announced.
Genesee Amateur Hockey Association (GAHA) invites children to the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena on Evans Street on Saturday, Feb. 24 for a Try Hockey For Free clinic as part of Hockey Week Across America.
Starting at 10:40 a.m. to Noon local youth, ages 4 to 9, are encouraged to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills in a fun, safe environment.
“We look forward to welcoming families to David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena to try our great sport of ice hockey for free,” said Sharon Gray, Event Coordinator. “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces.”
USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.
All your youngster needs is a helmet (bike or sports) and winter gloves. Skates are available at the Rink free of charge (due to the generous offering of the David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena). The GAHA organization does have some used hockey helmets available for the event as well as a few hockey sticks.
Players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey to take home. To register for this Try Hockey For Free event, please visit www.TryHockeyForFree.com (Use zip code 14020).
For more information, please contact Sharon at svgray@rochester.rr.com or 585-344-2248 (Coordinator for Try Hockey For Free).
Sam Pies scored off the faceoff early in the third period to give the United a 3-1 lead. Photo by Steve Ognibene
The past few seasons, it's been a struggle for Batavia-Notre Dame United against Victor, pernnially one of the toughest teams to beat in New York.
"They're one of the best-coached teams that we played against all season," said United's head coach, Marc Staley. "So it's a very emotional game, always with them. And I think for our kids, especially tonight, we probably were more emotional than we should have been. Just because it is Victor. It's sort of a mental block, you know, that we had to get over that hump. They've beaten us now five times in a row, combined score of 25 to four. So, for us to be able to turn it around tonight with a 4-2 win, it's sort of like exorcising the demon a little bit."
The Victor Blue Devils opened the scoring at the David M. McCarthy Memorial Arena with a goal in the first period, but United -- starting with a Sam Pies to Jameson Motyka to Brady Johnson goal a minute later -- went on an unanswered three-goal run to put them up 3-1 entering the final period.
"We went down by one, so we had to get one back," Johnson said. "We had to get pucks on the net. We knew that shots win games. So, every shot is a goal-scoring opportunity. So that's just what we're looking to do."
In the second period, the game got intense with shots on goal from both sides. United overcame back-to-back penalties but then went on the powerplay with two minutes left. Brady Johnson scored his second goal of the game in the high slot from a pass by Joe DiRisio to take a 2-1 lead after two periods of play.
In the third period, United was deep in Victor’s zone, taking a faceoff. Sam Pies took a quick wrist shot off the faceoff draw and got shot past goalie Nate McBride.
Victor pulled back within a point in the third on a power play that Staley characterized as an undisciplined penalty, an example of letting emotions ride a little high.
"We know there is a very fine line between being a state top-ranked team and being just a good team," Staley said. "You have to stay out of the box. You have to be disciplined. You have to control your emotions. And you have to play through, weather the storm. You got to play through those tough moments, and we didn't do that as well tonight. I think we let them hang around. It ended up being a lot closer than I think it should have."
United added a bit of padding to their near the end of the game to seal the victory with a goal by Jameson Motyka.
"I think we felt like we were in control of the game," Staley said. "Most of the game, we outshot them. I thought we had time of possession on them. I think they're one of the best teams that we've played so far this year."
Pies said he thought United's defensive play was key.
"We needed to be on the defensive side of the puck at all times and couldn't take no chances with the defense," Pies said. "Pinching had to be 100 percent. They couldn't have any odd-man rushes. We had to get pucks out when we needed to, and good thing we did that, and we got the win."
Steve Ognibene contributed to the reporting of this story. To view or purchase photos, click here.
Jameson Motyka in Victor's red zone, looking to score. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Brady Johnson and teammates celebrate his second goal of the game. Photo by Steve Ognibene
Ivan Milovidov is on the doorstep of Victor's goalie. United outshot Victor 39-32 Photo by Steve Ognibene.
Jake Hutchins coming down the side boards with teammates. Photo by Steve Ognibene
