Kelsey Zawodzinski

Kelsey Zawodzinski
Senior, Orchard Park HS
Field hockey, Hockey

Dream job:
Playing in the NHL
Favorite sports team: Buffalo Sabres
Favorite actor/actress:
Josh Duhamel
Favorite Orchard Park athlete: Mel Janulewicz
I would like to visit: Australia
Favorite teacher: Mr. Brach
I would like to have dinner with: Sidney Crosby
Hobbies other than sports:
Going to the beach
Fondest sports memory:
Winning the championship game with Orchard Park JV hockey in 2010
I am looking forward to: The summer and going to college

The Orchard Park-Frontier girls hockey team lost 5-2 to the Monsignor Martin squad, the league’s top team, at the Tacoma Rink in North Buffalo Thursday night.

The game featured two power play goals by OP-F; one each from Bernadette O’Connell and Madison Potenza.

The highlight of the game came late in the second period. A parent kept yelling for Orchard Park-Frontier to shoot. When the puck was cleared from the Monsignor Martin zone, an Orchard Park-Frontier player looked up and yelled back at the parent: “Shut up!”

Good stuff!

It reminded me of this commercial:

Charlie Kritkausky

Check out shots of the boys 2-1 overtime victory against Canisius this past Sunday.

View photos

[To see individual player albums, click on the keyword tag under the photo.]

Dan Murphy

Dan Murphy
Junior, Orchard Park HS
Football, Hockey, Lacrosse

Favorite sports team: Buffalo Bills
Favorite school subject: Math
Favorite number and why:
18, I have worn it since I was a kid
Dream job:
Professional athlete
Favorite Orchard Park athlete:
Kole Robinson – “K-Rob”
Favorite meal: Pasta
Favorite song:
“Back Door Man”, The Doors
I want to visit: California
I am currently looking forward to: Hockey playoffs

Two exciting sporting events will take place this weekend for Orchard Park High School athletics.

On Friday night, both the girls and boys basketball teams will host contests on the same evening in a rare varsity doubleheader.

The girls team will play Clarence at 6 p.m. with the boys scheduled to host West Seneca West at 7:30 p.m.

Last season, both basketball teams played on the same night at Clarence in what turned out to be an incredible evening of basketball between two successful athletic programs.

At Clarence, the charm of having both teams play back-to-back games in one night was helped by the fact that each contest was close, but the allure of playing on the same night and in the same gymnasium added to the enjoyment of the evening.

On Saturday afternoon, the girls hockey team will play its first game in its existence after last week’s snow storm postponed its debut.

The OP-Frontier team will have a tough challenge against a Monsignor Martin team that has won all three of its games convincingly against Williamsville (5-1), Lancaster (11-1) and Kenmore (4-0).

Puck-drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the North Buffalo Ice Rink on Tacoma Avenue.

Mike McParlane

Mike McParlane
Senior, Orchard Park High School
Hockey

Dream job:
Stay at home dad
Favorite tv show:
Jersey Shore
Talent I’d like to have: Flying
Favorite sport other than what I play: Basketball
Favorite OP athlete:
Martti Kalle Akseli Aura
Favorite sports team: Montreal Canadiens
Favorite OP sport to attend:
Football Games at the Ralph
Best concert I attended: U2
Hobbies other than sports:
Hanging out with friends, grabbing some grub, video games, and listening to music
Fondest sports memory: 2006 Sabres playoff Run
I want to visit: Germany

George Turco moves the puck up ice against Lancaster Friday morning at Leisure Rinks.

In its bid to capture its second win in as many games, the Orchard Park boys hockey team fell to Lancaster Friday morning at Leisure Rinks, 5-4.

Trailing 2-1 toward to the end of the second period, Orchard Park got back-to-back goals from Mike Held and Cullen Mangino less than 40 seconds apart to take the lead, 3-2.

However, the Quakers allowed a goal to the Redskins with 16 seconds left in the period and a power play goal 1:14 into the final period to relinquish the lead.

Lancaster added a short-handed goal to go up, 5-3, and earn the eventual victory.

Senior Cody Fenske skates away from defenders in Orchard Park's 5-1 win over Hamburg Thanksgiving morning.

In its opening game of the 2010-2011 season the Orchard Park boys hockey team defeated Hamburg on Thanksgiving morning at Leisure Rinks, 5-1.

Senior Cody Fenske scored the Quakers’ first goal and Hamburg tied the contest until Orchard Park went off for four unanswered goals beginning late in the second period.

With the score tied, 1-1, Joe Mesi gathered a loose puck and found the back of the net to break the tie with 2:42 left in the second period. James Ford, George Turco and Cullen Mangino each added a goal.

The Quakers will play their next game on Friday, Nov. 26 at 9:30 a.m. at Leisure.

Chelsie Hausberger
Senior, Orchard Park High School
Field Hockey and Hockey

Chelsie Hausberger

Favorite song: “Check It Out”, by will.i.am and Nicki Minaj
Dream job: Elementary School Teacher
My heroes are: My Dad
Favorite sports team: Buffalo Sabres
Favorite school subject: English
My hidden talent is: Dancing
Favorite Orchard Park athlete: Lindsey Hurley!!
Favorite OP hangout: Taffy’s
Favorite meal: Spaghetti
Hobbies other than sports: Scrapbooking

Originally published in the June 18, 2010 issue of the Orchard Park Press.

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD... Evan Korn displays his Hasek's Heroes trophy with parents, Steve and Rose. Photo/ James Goller.

In recognition of his superior conduct and sportsmanship on and off the ice, Orchard Park senior hockey goalie Evan Korn was presented with the second annual Hasek’s Heroes Award.

Hasek’s Heroes was started eight years ago by former Buffalo Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek.

Two years ago, the award was launched to honor on-ice performance, academic performance and community service by high school hockey players.

In just his third season of organized hockey, Korn earned the starting goalie position on the Orchard Park hockey team this past season. As a result of his hard work, Korn earned All-Federation Second Team and Division I First Team honors.

“I had confidence going in and worked hard at it,” he said. “I did everything I could to achieve the goal of being starting goalie.”

Korn’s interest in hockey came from physical education class his freshman year with teacher Joe Biondo.

“We were playing floor hockey and he made me play goalie,” said Korn. “I took him up on that and it just went from there.”

Korn’s commitment to success isn’t limited to the ice hockey rink. With the help and training of Orchard Park’s Director of Bands, Don Carducci, Korn has become a highly accomplished bass clarinet player.

“My parents insisted on me playing an instrument in fourth grade,” said Korn. “I started off with clarinet and switched over to bass clarinet.”

Late last year, Korn took part in a statewide music competition through the New York State School Music Association Conference. Only six bass clarinet players were selected from throughout the state and Korn placed third.

Since his freshman year, Korn has also been involved in the Ride for Roswell. His parents, Steve and Rose, have both been diagnosed with cancer. In three years, Korn has been a part of a team that helped raise $48,000 for cancer research.

“It taught me how to take charge in a position (with) leadership skills,” Korn said of the experience.

Korn will attend the University at Buffalo in the fall where he will study finance, try out for the club hockey team and continue to play his bass clarinet. He is considering a career as a financial analyst and already has a step forward in the field. In addition to being a part-time intern at General Mills since last October, Korn has been involved in Orchard Park’s Academy of Finance program where students take financed-based courses such as economics, accounting and banking.

Murphy earns coaching experience while recovering from broken arm

This story was originally published in the June 18, 2010 issue of the Orchard Park Press.

Dan Murphy and Coach Derek Gilham

It appeared Dan Murphy’s lacrosse season was over before it started when the Orchard Park sophomore broke his arm while playing club hockey this winter.

However, he stayed in touch with the sport as he recovered from the injury by becoming the modified boys team’s manager, a position offered to him by Coach Derek Gilham.

Just a couple days after breaking his arm, Murphy said he stopped in to the modified practice to pick up his younger brother Chris, who is in eighth grade. While talking with Coach Gilham, Murphy was asked if he would be interested in helping out with the team.

“I wanted to stay involved with the lacrosse program while I was hurt and I figured that helping the modified kids was a good way to do it,” said Murphy. “I was at that level just a few years ago so I could relate to what they needed help with.”

Gilham was familiar with Murphy’s work ethic and attitude since he is also the coach of the Orchard Park varsity hockey team, on which Murphy is a forward.

“Dan is a great student-athlete with tremendous character, so is a good role model for the modified kids,” Gilham said.

Murphy’s commitment to the modified program this spring was more like that of a player or coach than someone just looking to kill time.

“I attended every modified practice and game and all of the varsity home games, as well,” said Murphy. “It was almost like I became more involved in the lacrosse program while I was injured.”

Murphy was cleared to play prior Orchard Park’s last regular season contest at Bishop Timon-St. Jude on May 21. The promising attacker scored a second half goal in the Quakers’ 11-3 win that night.

“When I came back it felt great just to be back in the routine of practicing everyday and being with the guys on the team,” said Murphy. “I just wanted to help the team get better in any way I could, so it was great to be able to contribute in a big game like the one versus Timon.”

Working with Coach Gilham every day helped Murphy see a different side to the game, which he says helped make him a better player. As far as a future in coaching, Murphy still has two more years of high school, but it’s a possibility for a young man who has now seen the game from the sidelines.

When asked if Murphy’s experience might prompt him to consider coaching someday, Gilham replied: “I hope so. He would make an outstanding coach.”

According to the Buffalo News, Orchard Park will add a girls hockey team next school year thanks to a $12,250 donation from the Quaker Athletic Boosters.

The RIT men’s hockey team, ranked ninth in the latest USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, will play the No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers in the first 2010 Frozen Four semifinal game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan tonight at 5 p.m.

The game will be televised live on ESPN2 and online at ESPN360.

Brent Alexin, a forward on RIT and Orchard Park alumus, has played in all 40 games this season compiling four goals and 17 assists. His plus-20 rating ranks third on the team.

The Tigers are the only non-top seed remaining in the NCAA tournament. A win would put the Tigers into the championship game to be played on Saturday, April 10 at 7 p.m. against the winner of Miami (Ohio) and Boston College.

Orchard Park graduate Brent Alexin scored a goal in the Tigers’ 6-2 win over New Hampshire on Saturday to advance to the prestigious Frozen Four of college hockey.

RIT will face Wisconsin in the semi-final championship on Thursday, April 8 on ESPN2.

ESPN coverage article.

AP Photo/Steve Jacobs

Rochester Institute of Technology defeated No. 1 Denver (the No. 2 overall seed) with a 2-1 win on Friday.

The Tigers will play against New Hampshire on Saturday (ESPNU, 6:30 p.m. ET).

Read the ESPN coverage.

Brent Alexin

Brent Alexin, an Orchard Park graduate and senior forward on the Rochester Institute of Technology hockey team, will play Denver University in the opening round of the 2010 NCAA Division I Hockey Tournament.

According to the RIT press release, the Tigers earned the NCAA automatic berth by winning the Atlantic Hockey Tournament and will play Denver University in the East Region Semifinal at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. on Friday at 3 p.m. The game will be aired live on ESPNU with John Buccigross and Barry Melrose commentating.

Alexin has played in all 38 games for the Tigers (26-11-1). He has three goals and 20 assists on the season.

Watch the slideshow of the 2009-2010 Orchard Park High School Federation hockey season.

Senior Tim Felong:
“We had character guys that were going to do whatever it took to win for the guy sitting next to him. We weren’t the most skilled team, but we had character. We won the division title for the first time and were a win away from the Federation regular season title. There is some satisfaction in that respect. There has always been a lot of hockey talent in Orchard Park and the team is very well coached so I believe the team will be very strong year after year.”

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Dan Murphy scores a short-handed goal in the third period of the Quakers' season-ending overtime loss to Clarence Thursday evening.

The Orchard Park hockey team’s season ended earlier than expected as the third-seeded Quakers were downed in overtime by sixth-seeded Clarence, 4-3, at the Amherst Pepsi Center Thursday evening.

It was the second straight opening round playoff loss to Clarence in overtime.

Last season, Orchard Park fell to the Red Devils in quadruple overtime.

Tim Felong

Tim Felong’s goal a minute and 55 seconds into overtime gave the Orchard Park Quaker hockey team a 4-3 win over Canisius Monday afternoon at Holiday rinks.

The win gives Orchard Park a 10-2-2 divisional record and clinches first place in the Division I standings of the Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation.