Letter to Adk. Enterprise

Hockey team felt fans’ spirit

March 18, 2015

Adirondack Daily Enterprise

To the editor:

Dear Blue Bomber community:

On behalf of our coaches and particularly our players, I wanted to thank the entire community for the remarkable support we have received during this hockey season. We left Friday for Utica to represent our school in the final four of New York state. Our boys were thrilled with the send-off from the Lake Placid Central School District. To have the entire district's faculty and staff outside cheering us on with signs was so classy. I can tell you the boys will remember that send-off long after their high school careers.

At Utica, I think the guys were unsure of the crowd we would bring to the Utica auditorium. Well, our fan base was bigger and louder than that of our opposition, whose district is four or five times bigger than ours. It was amazing. For everybody who watched any of our games this year and who traveled to watch us play during the playoffs, thank you. Our team felt the spirit, and it certainly brought an added energy to our team.

Sincerely,

Coach Keith Clark

Lake Placid

They Did Us Proud!

UTICA — Williamsville East’s Jack Kelly raced to the far corner and found Dylan Cicero flashing to the low slot for a one-time goal.  Eight minutes and 13 seconds later, Cicero converted on an eerily similar play in front.  That one crippled Lake Placid’s chances of moving on to the state championship game.

Cicero’s game-winning goal with 1:17 remaining in the third period gave the Flames a 3-2 win in a NYSPHSAA Division II boys’ hockey semifinal at the Utica Memorial Auditorium Saturday.  “Well, I thought on the first one, we didn’t really pick up,” Blue Bombers (21-2-1) coach Keith Clark said. “I thought on the second one, they just beat us there. Our guys were trying to get there. They made two good plays.  “We knew that they flashed to the front of the net. For the most part, we covered it. But they had two that got away.”

Tied 2-2 with three minutes to go in regulation, Lake Placid went on the power play when Cicero was sent off for tripping.  Despite a brilliant backdoor chance from Connor Preston, the Blue Bombers were held off the board.  Lake Placid finished 0-for-7 on the one-player advantage.  “I mean, I think we had good looks,” Clark said. “I think the kids were making the right plays overall. They shut it down. I think we needed to get a rebound, and we just couldn’t get the rebound. But I think we moved the puck well on the power play.  “I don’t fault our power play. I think our kids were composed and made plays.  “Just didn’t convert.”

Preston and Chris Williams were the driving force behind the Blue Bombers’ offense all season.  That continued in Utica.  Williams walked in on Max Battistoni, went backhand to forehand and beat the senior goaltender with a shot past the far post 33 seconds into the second period.  Preston gave Lake Placid a 2-1 lead, receiving a pass from Williams and beating Battistoni with a finesse move down low 7:48 later.  “I think our goals were nice goals,” Clark said. “Hard goals. Whenever you have to cut in front of the net, it takes some guts. They made some great plays.

“I thought we pressured their defense pretty well. Obviously, having Connor and Chris convert was key.”  Tucker Angelopoulos was sensational in net for the Blue Bombers, finishing with 32 saves.  “Tucker was lights out,” Clark said. “He did everything to give us an opportunity to win this hockey game.”  Williamsville East (22-3) led shots on goal 35-30.

The Flames took eight penalties for 12 minutes, while Lake Placid committed six penalties for nine minutes.  After having their unbeaten streak snapped at 21 games, the Blue Bombers finished their season at 21-2-1.

“I thought we came in, and we left everything on the table,” Clark said. “Our kids have nothing to be ashamed of. I thought we competed extremely hard.  “I thought we got better as the game went on. Even though we lost the third, I thought we were competing extremely hard against a very good Willy East team.  “I feel completely satisfied with our effort (Saturday). I couldn’t be prouder of our group.”

Week #18 - The Last Week of Hockey in New York

Monday, 3/9             2:45 PM             Move into Women's Olympic Locker Room
                                 3:00 PM             Team Meeting (5 Minutes)
                                 3:30-4:30 PM     On-Ice Practice - USA

Tuesday, 3/10          OFF

Wednesday, 3/11     3:00 PM              Meet at the Rink
                                 3:30-4:30 PM     On-Ice Practice - USA
                                 7:00 PM             Winter Sports Award Banquet - Auditorium
(We will be having a team banquet after Spring Break at the Crowne Plaza but will be participating in Wednesday's banquet.)

Thursday, 3/12         2:50 PM              Team Meeting in LR
                                 3:00 PM              Meet at the Rink
                                 3:30-4:30 PM     On-Ice Practice - USA

Friday, 3/13             9:00 AM              Depart Lake Placid - Athlete's Entrance
(Players should eat breakfast before they leave and pack a bagged lunch for the bus.  Dress casual for bus ride)
                                12:45 PM             Arrive at Utica Auditorium
                                1:00 PM               Pre-Practice Stretch - Captains
                                1:45-2:45 PM       On-Ice Practice - Utica Auditorium LR#5
                                3:00 PM               Post-Practice Snack
                                3:15 PM               Arrive at Radisson - Check-In
(Parents, Mr. Walentuk has set up a block of rooms for Lake Placid parents.  The hotel information is below.  Details on cutoff times and rates will be posted once I hear.  This is at the Radisson as well.) 
                                6:00 PM               Dinner at Babes Macaroni Grill (Shirt & Tie)
                                8:00 PM               Team Meeting - Location TBA
                                10:00 PM             Lights Out

Saturday, 3/14         8:30 AM              Wake-Up
                                9:00 AM              Team Breakfast at Hotel
                               10:30 AM             Depart Radisson (Shirt & Tie)
                               10:45 AM             Arrive at the Utica Auditorium
                               11:15 AM             Captains' Pre-Game Warm-Up
                               Noon                    On-Ice Warm-Up
                               12:30 PM             Lake Placid vs. Williamsville East
                                                              (New York State Semi-Finals)              

Sunday, 3/15           TBA

"The Aud"

Auditorium is located on: 400 Oriskany St. West, Utica, NY 13502

HOTEL INFORMATION

RESERVATIONS:+1 (800) 395-7046

TELEPHONE:(315) 797-8010

ADDRESS:
200 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501

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