Spencerport's Barton gets chance

Players in any sport don't wish to get their chance due to an injury to a teammate, but when the opportunity presents itself they have to perform. Spencerport native Allen Barton got his opportunity when Niagara University's starting goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten broke a finger, putting him on the sidelines for up to eight weeks.

Barton played goal in seven games during his freshman season with Niagara last year. Through the 2004 portion of the schedule, he had already equaled that number of appearances. His 2-3 record and 4.26 goals against average aren't sparkling numbers on the surface, but his 28-save performance December 4 in a 3-2 victory at Alabama-Huntsville earned him the College Hockey America conference Defensive Player of the Week award. He also was in net for a 6-2 conference win at Bemidji State, Minnesota in mid-December.

"It's a good opportunity for me to show my stuff. I've had some ups and down, but I need to work hard and I'll get another shot if I do," Barton said after a Niagara home game. "The players at this level all are high caliber players whether it's speed, intensity, accuracy and guys are shooting the puck so hard now."

Barton was Spencerport's Most Valuable Player his freshman and sophomore years before moving on to the Buffalo Lightning junior team and New York Apple Core of the Eastern Junior Hockey League two seasons ago. He was a First-Team All-Star with Apple Core as they won their regular season and playoff titles.

Barton talked about his decision to leave high school hockey to play for the Buffalo Lightning. "It's unfortunate right now, but if a player has a dream to play college hockey, then they need to make a move to a junior team. Realistically a player can play high school, but to move to the next level, they need to play junior at some point."

An education major, the sophomore is hoping to get a few more chances with 15 games left this season.

"I loved everything about Niagara when I came here. I wanted to go to a small school and I'm living the dream right now of being a Division I athlete where my family and friends can drive down the Thruway to see me play."