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Thursday, March 3, 2016 | BataviasBest.org
Reaching the NYSPHSAA Playoffs, the Notre Dame Hockey team has proven to be as complete a team as one can imagine coming from such a small school in Batavia, New York. However, one thing this group has lacked an excess of has been Senior leadership.
Although the three Seniors for the Irish, Bryan Moscicki, Peter Madafferi, and Larry Infantino, have each been vital to this team’s postseason run, outside of those three, this ND team is full of underclassmen – including 9 juniors, 9 sophomores, and even 3 freshman.
Beginning with the junior class, Finland exchange student Henrik Toiviainen has been a godsend for the Irish – including two goals in their last game vs Victor. In addition, 11th grader Cameron Clark, who is also spending his first year at ND in 2016, has also been one of the top-scorers for this group this season.
Likewise, sophomore Ryan Webster has been perhaps the most irreplaceable player for the Irish this season, as he seems to have a hand in almost every goal the Irish score in one way or another – whether it be by assist or scoring it himself. Also a sophomore this year, goaltender Ethan Conrad has performed soundly game-in and game-out for the Irish – including a shutout in the Sectional Championship game.
All in all, that’s a lot to take in.
But when you step back and think about it, for a team with such youth to perform the way they have, in the situations they have this season, it has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“We have had to count on the juniors and sophomores to play a large role in our offense,” said senior captain Bryan Moscicki. “Some of the juniors, especially, have had to step up and take on bigger leadership roles in order to fill the gaps we have with so few seniors.”
Moscicki also added that, when you look at the stats, sophomores and juniors litter the top of the leaders in several statistical categories which is even more impressive.
Despite such gaudy numbers from the underclassmen, their job hasn’t been as hard as it may seem, according to sophomore Ryan Webster.
“With the group of seniors we do have, it wasn’t that hard for (the younger guys),” said Webster. “All of
the leaders on the team really try to show them the ropes and help them out as much as possible. We all feel equally responsible for the score at the end (of the game) and that helps our drive to win as a whole.”
When it comes down to it, the collective effort up-and-down the roster has been remarkable to say the least. But there is no denying the impact that the ND underclassmen have had on their overall success this season.
The Irish take on Pelham in Monsey, NY on Saturday afternoon. Tune in @BB_Scores on Twitter for updates.
Other articles you may like:
Weekend Preview: Three teams left in the hunt for a NYSPHSAA Title
Notre Dame Hockey runs out of gas vs Victor, will now head south to face Pelham
Notre Dame vs Geneseo – Section V Hockey – PHOTO GALLERY (02/28/2016)
Fourth Time is the Charm: Notre Dame Hockey seizes the day, drops Geneseo in Class B Final
