Section III, Division II, East Preview

Now that we’re into the high school season by a bit and I was a little late in getting the blog up and running, it’s time for my preseason thumbnails about Section III, Division II East (3-2-E) teams. The timing is great because there has only been one league game, but everyone has played enough non-league to get an impression.

The parity in 3-2-E this season is remarkable. Usually there is the Big Four; Clinton, New Hartford, RFA and Whitesboro and a second tier and a cellar. This year, the line between the Big Four and the second tier is as thin as the hair on my head. The cellar may have only one occupant and they could claw their way into the second tier after the first of the year.

Here we go, in no specific order:

NEW HARTFORD – An enormously talented team, rich in forwards and experience in key places. However, the Spartans are not deep at the blue line and are inexperienced in goal. They have two lines that can score and in high school…that means wins. Their third line is dangerous and in high school…that could mean titles. Mike Zalewski could be the best of the three Zalewski brothers…which is going some when you consider that Steve is a star at Clarkson and a San Jose draftee and Richard has a national title won at Oswego State. The sophomore has always played above his age, has great skills and tremendous hockey sense. He teams up with the fast Tom Fiorentino and the talented, often underrated Jason Fitzgerald. Andy Kelleher is one of the league’s best snipers, teamed with the tough Joe Betar and the currently injured Clay Whittemore. Jake Silberlicht is both a solid defenseman and an offensive threat. Once you get past Silberlicht and his defensive partner, Aaron Canarelli, the blue line doesn’t hold as hard. Dan Malta and Dylan Smith will carry the weight in the net. Smith can dazzle when he’s on, but neither has a great deal of experience in regular 3-2-E play.

CLINTON – This is not the kind of start the Clinton faithful are used to. They got off to a horrible beginning…1 first period shot on goal against New Hartford in the UC Tourney. They came from behind and beat the Spartans in overtime. Not only is that their only win so far this season, it was the only time they out scored an opponent in the third period. Usually, a Dave Litz team comes at you in waves and doesn’t let up. But, these waves are crashing short…giving up 2 third period goals to Whitesboro, 2 to West Genesee and a killing 4 third period goals to Skaneateles. But there are great reasons to be optimistic. Jordan Hobaica is the most dangerous man in 3-2-E. Boo Snyder – you’ve heard of the old saying about being built like a brick “outhouse”. Snyder is built like the entire factory. David Roy is another true to form hard hitting Clinton player, who can knock you down and run over you on his way to the net. Some of the younger Clinton players can emerge, like Ben Hobaica and Steve Abdoo. The Clinton questions begin at the blue line, where they don’t enjoy the depth they’ve had in past years. There is no question that this is a better team than what their record shows this early in the year. Here may be the biggest question…is there a leader on this team who can step forward and steer this team in the right direction?

WHITESBORO – With ten seniors, these Warriors are the most experienced team among the Big Four. And, if this 4-0 start is any indication, that advantage bodes well for Whitesboro’s title hopes. Big Blue is lead by Big George Hajjar. When George suffered his frightening injury last season, so many people I spoke with described Hajjar as a bull of a player. He has become so much more than just a bull. With improved scoring skills, Hajjar is a more complete hockey player and a major force in 3-2-E. Mike Nassar has long been known as a scoring machine. Bill Balsamico, Dave Husnay and Logan Schaaf are invaluable to this team. At the blue line, Whitesboro has Jim Engler, Cooper Zielinski, Chris Flynn and the Farley twins, making up one of the overall best defenses in the league. Jack Lambe in goal is good and consistent. So what, if anything, can prevent Whitesboro from taking the Section III title? Discipline. Can they stay out of trouble, out of the penalty box, and can they play as a team for the full season. The other teams in 3-2-E are good enough to take advantage of any stumble Whitesboro might make.

RFA – The Black Knights are very much like Whitesboro, very experienced, very talented with questions about discipline. If there is any key to give RFA an advantage it could be Rich Metzger in goal. Mark Bartlett, Mike Ungeitis and Brian Endres are three of Rome’s nine seniors who provide the offensive punch. Two other RFA guys to keep an eye on are freshman TJ Reilley and junior Dustin Frankey. Rome is solid on defense as well, with Mike Barrett, Marco Dominic and sophomore Matt Dematteo on the blue line. But, it’s Metzger who gives RFA an edge. Metzger, a senior, is the elder statesman of goaltenders 3-2-E in terms of age and play. Last year, it was the worst kept secret among opponents that the way to play RFA was to get under their skin. Once rattled, they would commit bad penalties and it’s hard to score from the box. If the Knights have outgrown that, they could take it all.

HAMILTON – This team could be dangerous. Usually a respectable second tier team, this season’s edition of the Emerald Knights has more than just a good first line in their favor. Mark Vaughan returns to anchor the Hamilton forwards, helped out by BJ Drozynski, Tyler White and Adam Jackowski. The defense is anchored by Nate Mallinder and Jake Sampson. Senior Schuyler Van Auken is the number one goaltender, but I can see on Hamilton the future net minding star of 3-2-E. Tyler Mallinder is an eighth grader who has a great glove and agility. I’ve watched this kid since he was a Mite and he can be a real, real good one. He’s growing physically and, when he fills out like his brother Nate, will be something to contend with. He also has the mindset needed to be a good goalie. If someone plants themselves in the crease…he becomes a lumberjack. No doubt, you go with the senior. But, when the opportunity presents…it will pay long term benefits to get this kid some ice time.

CAZENOVIA – Another dangerous team. They opened the season with wins over Division I Baldwinsville and CNS. They return experienced, balanced scoring in Carter Franz, Aaron Race and Pat Cooney. The biggest area of concern comes on the other side of the scoreboard. Caz has some experience on the blue line, with Judson Chase, Seth Goldacker and Nick Dussault. Jordan Demo is the go to guy in goal. Demo is a sophomore and that means growing pains. But, at this level, a hot front line and three steady defensemen could slip the Lakers into a playoff slot…should someone slip out.

WESTMORELAND – The Bulldogs answered several questions with their win over Watertown IHC in the finals of the Central Square Tournament last Saturday. Westmoreland has a solid line and two-thirds and that is more than enough to do serious damage in the league. Like many teams at this level, Westmo lacks depth and experience, especially on defense. Their top line of Chet Galinski, Sean Grogan and Greg Mesagna has been pestering opponents for two years. When they are buzzing they are tough. Add the Agen brothers, Myles and Dean, and the Bulldogs have serious firepower – especially with Myles. Now comes the problem. There is no depth on defense. Shane Stockhauser is the only returning defenseman for Westmoreland and if you force him to stay at home because they are stretched thin on D, you take away one of Westmo’s best weapons. Another concern comes in goal. Brandon Crane and newcomer Peter Adams may share the netminding duties. Both are sophomores and both are not physically big. Crane saw all of the action last season and, although he had the shut out over New Hartford, he also has a stretch where he gave up 10 or more goals in four straight games.

PROCTOR – [For the sake of full disclosure, I must tell you that I have a son on this team.] The best thing to happen to this Proctor team was getting Mike Tesak as its Head Coach. Anyone who’s been around local hockey probably knows Tesak and the vast majority respect his zeal for this game. It was only a matter of time before he got a Head Coaching job and the Raiders are fortunate to be the ones to give him the job. What Tesak gets is a team that lacks size, depth and experience…but, he’s making the most of it. Proctor is testimony to the value of a youth hockey feeding program. Each of the Big Four have solid feeders that play at various levels. Proctor’s feeder program doesn’t play at the youth hockey travel level and, as a result, the first time they see a Zalewski, Hobaica or Hajjar is when they line up against them in a high school game. But, Tesak has some things to work with. He has Matt Hamill, a 19 goal scorer from last season. He also returns three defensemen, Alex Dawes, Evan Laracvente and Chance Coyne, who transferred from Notre Dame where he played for both the Jugglers and Westmoreland. Proctor’s ace in the hand could be in net, where Ryan Lewis and Kyle Stephens are a solid pair and Lee Barker helps out. Anyone who knows Tesak knows that, if these kids follow their coach and stay with it, Proctor will be a better skating team after the first of the year.