THE BETTER BROTHER, KING ANDREW

Andrew Valint (Tonawanda) picked a great night to score his first multi-goal game of the season. The big winger for Team Visualeyes anchored a 8-3 shellacking of bitter rival Elmwood Cozumel late Wednesday evening at Buffalo State Arena. Valint's two, first period goals ignited his teammates and he proved to be the better brother, dominating his older, and much larger brother Brian, of Elmwood Cozumel.

KING ANDREW SCHOOLS COZUMEL

Visualeyes knew the task at hand Wednesday night wouldn't be easy, facing off against a team that was on a 12 game winning streak, and dominating every statistical category in the EMHL. Team V's hard work and gritty play in the first period, put them up 3-0 at the end of the first. Max Bonito (Amherst) opened up the scoring bearing down on his own rebound, and sliding his 5th goal of the year in. King Andrew knocked home the next two for Visualeyes, both coming off the stick of centreman Don Borsuk (West Seneca). Valint's efforts last night earned him the Team V Plunger, as player of the game.

Team V wasn't happy with a three goal lead, and leading point getter, Eric Schottke proved that, netting his 15th goal of the season on his own rebound after a breakaway on a pass from Ryan Donnelly (Tonawanda). "If we put together 45 minutes of good hockey like we did last night on a regular basis, we're going to win a lot of games this year." said Jerry Crowe (Kenmore) Thursday afternoon in an interview over the phone. Crowe stepped up next for Visualeyes, extending his three game goal scoring streak , proving that good things happen when you throw the puck at the net. Crowe caught Cozumel goaltender, Dave Reed off guard with a quick wrister from down low on his off wing.

One of the prettier goals of the night came on the power play as Schottke and Drew Leberer (North Tonawanda) provided some tic-tac-toe passing, finding Dan Brown (Lancaster) for the 7th goal of the night. "We took it personal that Reed (Cozumel goalie) had the balls to try out new equipment against us.....&^%$ it Reed." said Brown after the 8-3 victory.

Adam Roma (Lancaster) once again showed why he is one of the elite goaltenders of the EMHL, pushing aside 42 of 45 shots, allowing only one goal until three minutes left in the contest. "If everyone plays the way we did last night, this *&^W@# league is ours." said Roma.


King Andrew's reign continued late into the game, sending a message to the entire Cozumel squad, blatantly firing one of his signature slap shots into the net after a referee's whistle for off-sides. It was clear Cozumel was shook as Valint skated freely after the shot. Valint added, "I think an all around team win and a late slap shot sent Cozumel a message that Visualeyes is a team to watch for in the playoff run and not to "F" with our Player/Coach/GM/Equipment Manager Drew Leberer."

NEWS AND NOTES:
-Visualeyes takes the ice next, Sunday night vs The Peace Frogs @ 9:20.

-Great seats are still available to Visualeyes' Friday Night Bash on January 21st. The puck drops 9:20pm immediately after Buffalo State takes on the #1 ranked team in the Country, SUNY Oswego.

-Keep voting for Team Visualeyes' representatives to the EMHL All-Star game on February 5th. Polling closes on February 1st.