Red Devils pull the upset over Orchard Park

It wouldn’t be the playoffs unless there were some upsets and drama.

Clarence High School pulled off the first big surprise of the tournament as they defeated third-seeded Orchard Park High School, 4-3, last night at the Amherst Center.

“I think the team’s matchup well,” stated Clarence coach Rich Brooks. “I think when you have two teams that are very well matched up you are going to have close game, it’s that simple, and in overtime you shoot the puck.”

If it wasn’t for goaltender Devin Paluh, Clarence would be sitting home and watching the rest of the tournament. The freshman played outstanding – keeping his team in the game early when they were trying to find their legs.

“I think he was a little nervous, but he played strong,” said Brooks. “After that first goal he settled down I though real well. He didn’t get flustered. There were many a good chance I thought that OP had the chance to put in the rebound and when they didn’t he was back on the rails and settled into the position and played well.”

Orchard Park opened the scoring two-minutes into the contest when Chris Streczywik scored unassisted.

Instead of folding the tent, Clarence fired back and scored two-straight to take a 2-1 lead. The game stayed 2-1 until the third period. Orchard Park tied the score on a nice shorthanded play by Dan Murphy. Murphy chipped the puck out of his end and skated hard and went in on a breakaway and then beat the goaltender through the legs.

The Red Devils would answer right back when Reid Zaccagnino went five-hole on the OP goaltender. But, you had a feeling that this game was going to go to overtime and the Quakers made sure that happened when they scored 20 seconds after Clarence had just taken the lead.

In overtime it was a simple shot from the point that made the most trouble. Tim Godin took a shot from the point that went off like four different set of legs and got behind the OP goaltender. As soon as the puck entered the net, eruption ensued on the ice as Clarence hopped over the bench and celebrated the victory.

Clarence now will take on top seeded Williamsville North at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24 at the Amherst Center.

Clarence improves to 9-8-4, while Orchard Park finishes the year at 14-5-2.

Williamsville North 5, NT 0

Williamsville North easily took care of North Tonawanda scoring three times in the third period to break open a close game. Jake Rosen had two goals for the Spartans, who will now take on Clarence in the semifinals.

Williamsville North improves to 16-2-3 while North Tonawanda falls to 1-14-2.

Niagara-Wheatfield 3, Kenmore West 1

Niagara-Wheatfield scored three times in the second period as the Falcons escaped with the victory. Kenmore West opened the scoring when Eric Flores jammed home the shot. After a sluggish first period, the Falcons erupted for three in the second to put the pesky Blue Devils away.

The Falcons will take on the winner of Lancaster/Frontier next Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Niagara-Wheatfield improves to 14-4-2, while Kenmore West ends their season at 7-11-3.