Upstate Lakers captures consolation title

Upstate Lakers captures consolation title

The Upstate Lakers squad went 5-2 on June 8-10 to capture the consolation title at The Ronald McDonald Tournament in Toronto, Canada. The Lakers are a spring/summer team of children from Watertown, Syracuse, Buffalo, Mississauga and the Rochester area.

Their road to the title started Friday with an opening win against Niagara Vipers 3-2 and a loss to Pro-Hockey French 6-2. The Lakers faced finalist Montreal Jr. Lions, a team of Canadian and European players who surprised the young Lakers 7-1, for their last loss of the tourney. Upstate needed to win its fourth game and have a goal differential of four to play Sunday; with goalie (Jimmy Poreda) pulled and an extra skater on. Ryan Cosgrove of Churchville roofed a goal with 1.1 seconds left to advance the Lakers with a 5-1 win over The Zone.

Lacing up the skates Sunday there were three games to be had to hold the hardware. Upstate started with play against The Skillz Eclipse, who jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Being down did not stop the Lakers; the defense of Connor Hoyng of Chili, Zachary Stamates, Santino Centorame and Ryan Fritz shut down the attacking Skillz Team, that did not record a goal the rest of the game. The Lakers scored three to send the game to a 4 on 4 OT period and then to a 2 on 2, Fritz scorched one past the goal tender to secure another game.

World Class Hockey destroyed Regional Express White to set up the semi-finals game against the Laker boys. With forwards Tyler Larwood, Evan Dier, Anthony Fedele, Teddy McCabe, Victor McCutcheon, Logan Warren, Mack Dahher and Cosgrove swarming, the World Class team was unable to gain control the game. Upstate moved onto the championship round with a 4-2 win.

The Upstate Lakers '96 AAA Team took it to Pro Tips 3-2, to be 2007 Ronald McDonald's Consolation Champions.