After a brilliant summer season with the developmental Team Visualeyes at Niagara University, forward Kevin Rogers (Tonawanda) seemed to have secured a roster spot with the big club in the EMHL. But a log jam at forward found Rogers to be the odd man out, the last cut for Visualeyes, failing to make the 15 man roster. Player/Coach/GM/Equipment Manager Drew Leberer (North Tonawanda) told Rogers before the season began that he (Rogers) would have his chance to play with Visualeyes this season, just to be patient, and to make the best of his outings when the opportunity arose.
Rogers got the call he was waiting for Wednesday afternoon and took advantage of it in a prime-time matchup against long time rival Elmwood Cozumel, netting three goals, leading the "V" to a 5-1 victory. The boys in white, blue and red knew their first game on the road would be a struggle, especially with a short bench and playing their second game in four nights. Cozumel and Visualeyes were tied at 0-0 after a lackluster first period until pro hockey journeyman, Joe Gunether opened the scoring for Cozumel with 9:20 to go in the second. Guenther beat Leberer wide, and knocked home his own rebound. Rogers answered back for Visualeyes a minute later on the power-play, sliding in a pass from line-mate Dan Brown (Lancaster). "Rog's quiet confidence really shined through in a tough game and gave us that extra push late in the game. Right now, he's our number one choice as a call up and his performance tonight really solidified that." added the Player/Coach/GM/Equip. Mgr.
The "V" took the lead with just over two minutes to go in the second period when Dan Brown buried his third goal of the year. Brown scored the game winning goal on a great bounce off the end boards from a Don Borsuk (West Seneca) shot. Visualeyes never looked back and goaltender Adam Roma's (Lancaster) relentless efforts kept Cozumel off the scoreboard. "Roma played a great game back there for us, knowing he would make a big save allowed us to push the puck and take some chances, we capitalized and took the W" said Ryan Donnelly (Tonawanda).
"Roma for Vezina" remarked Dan Brown.
"Roma literally stood on his head yesterday making 74 saves. I could only imagine that it tops the EMHL record books."
Winger T.J. Cooper (Hamburg) had plenty of chances against Cozumel, and finally put one past Cozumel's Dave Reed, using his speed to drive wide along the left boards and slipping the puck past a diving Reed. Rogers finished his push for a roster spot, netting an un-assisted goal with 5:25 to go and adding an empty netter to give him the hat-trick from Dan Brown sealing the win.
Eric Schottke (Tonawanda) failed to keep his four point a game streak alive, only adding one assist to his team leading 13 points. Eric had this to say after the win, "I had a rough pre-game meal. 30 cent wings and $5 pitchers seemed like a good idea but seemed to really negatively effect my scoring touch. A real eye-opener for me and I'm going to have to start tightening my training regiment and nutrition if i want to continue to be awesome."
Don Borsuk added one assist in the win, and played tremendous D-zone coverage. "Playing Coz, you can usually expect a few power-plays because of dirty Brian Valint. But with his absence we had to play a lot of 5 on 5 hockey, and for us we are just fine with that. Its plain and simple, we are just a better team 5 on 5 and it showed. Coz goalie, Reed, was classless as usual, not taking his glove off for the hand shake." said Borsuk.
Forward Bob Simpson-Corigliano (Tonawanda) was held out of the line-up Wednesday for routine maintenance but did add this, "As we keep winning, its important to remember that this is a long season. We can't be satisfied with just being 4 and 0. It doesn't matter if you win all of the games. It only matters if you win the last game."
Rogers was unavailable to comment after the win.
NOTEBOOK:
-Blue-liner Matt English-Gunning (West Seneca), made his first appearance with Visualeyes this season last night. While contract talks are still in the negotiation stage between English-Gunning and the "V", the former Geneseo Ice Knight knocked the rust off against Cozumel and added a roughing penalty in the win.
-Andrew Valint is still out with gout.
-Visualeyes returns home to face Third Street Tap Room next Tuesday at 9:20pm. Plenty of great seats are still available.
