WNYGVIH: CASH goes to NYS Regional Championship Play

Photos and story by Janet Schultz. No photos may be copied, shared or reproduced without permission from Janet@nyhockeyonline.com.

Section VI’s Clarence/Amherst/Sweet Home (CASH) won the NYSPHSAA Far West Regional Championship to advance to the NYS Regional Championship this weekend (Feb. 20/21). They defeated the Webster Lakers 2-1 in a face-paced game.

CASH opened the scoring in the first inning when Kiley Breeze got one past Webster’s Mia Wambach at 4:28 of the first, assisted by captain Jenny Wild. The first period ends in CASH’s favor.

CASH adds another in the second at 10:58, an unassisted goal from Wild. CASH leads 2-0 going into the third.

With just 1:49 left in the third period, Webster’s Kenzie Beale gets one from Ella Celej, assisted by Viv Kinkead. Webster continued the pressure until the whistle blew and CASH won 2-1.

In goal, Celej stopped 25 of 26 shots for CASH and Wambach conceded 18.

The States look like this.

CASH faces Section X Potsdam on Friday at 3 p.m

Section III Skaneateles will face Section II Adirondack at 5 p.m

The winner of these two matches will advance to the final.

This will be CASH’s first appearance at the State Championship.

Potsdam has won the championship once, in 2014. That year, together with Skaneateles, they proclaimed the championship title after four overtimes and a 2-2 draw.

Skaneateles has won the title five times, including the Co-win; Adirondack twice.

Our WNYGVIH teams, Williamsville won the title in 2019 and Frontier/Orchard Park in 2018. Kenmore/Grand Island (before Lockport) also appeared in the semifinals.

The NYS Championship is considered regional because not every section in the NYSPHSAA has a girls ice hockey team to compete on. The tournament started in 2005-2006.