In front of a large crowd at the Newbridge arena, the Garden City Wings Varsity Ice Hockey team
won a playoff semifinal thriller 4-3 over Hicksville High School this past Sunday night.
Garden City obtained an early lead two minutes into the first period. Brian Kiernan poked a loose puck
up to Ryan Boelsen, who gave Ryan Norell a crossed ice pass. Norell got off a beautiful shot to the top
corner of the net to give Garden City the 1-0 lead. Hicksville answered back two minutes later, scoring
off a scramble around the Garden City net. Although Garden City outplayed Hicksville for much of the
remaining eleven minutes of the period, the Wings did not score despite out shooting Hicksville 12 - 4.
With a little more than three minutes remaining in the period, Garden City was called for a slashing
penalty. Penalty killers Ryan Norell, Brian Kiernan, John Colan, Gerry Diamond, Kevin Seiferth,
Kevin Rice, Michael Makris and Chris Breslin kept Hicksville from generating any good scoring
opportunities and the period ended 1-1.
Garden City continued their strong play in the second period. Hicksville was whistled for a
cross checking penalty during a dominating shift by the line of Conor Reeves, Conor Sweeney and
Kevin Betts. The powerplay unit of John Colan, Gerry Diamond, Ryan Boelsen, Kevin Seiferth and
Michael Makris was able to capitalize on the penalty. Ryan Boelsen got the puck to John Colan, who
found some space by the Hicksville net and roofed one over the shoulder of the Hicksville goaltender.
Colan's goal was the only score of the period. Garden City spent much of the second half of the period
in their defensive zone, but goaltender Greg McNamara stopped all nine Hicksville shots during that time.
After strongly urging his teammates on between periods, Captain Ryan Boelsen scored two minutes into the
third period. Ryan Norell and Brian Kiernan assisted Boelsen's goal. The two goal lead did not last long
for Garden City as Hicksville answered right back 16 seconds later. The next five minutes of play featured
end to end action and some good scoring opportunities for both teams. With seven minutes remaining in the
game, Hicksville took advantage of a Garden City penalty and tied the score. Facing a possible sudden death
overtime situation, the Garden City squad rose to the occasion. With under five minutes to play, Hicksville
was whistled for a tripping penalty which stopped a potential Garden City breakaway. For the second time
during the game, Garden City was able to take advantage of the man-up situation. The game winning goal
sequence started with an excellent play by Kevin Seiferth to keep the puck in the Garden City offensive
zone. While two Hicksville defenders were trying to handle Ryan Boelsen in front of the Hicksville crease,
John Colan made a beautiful pass over to Gerry Diamond by the side of the net. Diamond's first shot squarely
hit the post, rebounded right back to Gerry who buried his second attempt into net as he was getting crushed
by a Hicksville defender, scoring the game winning goal. Garden City went into a defensive shell for the
final four minutes of the game to close out the 4-3 win.
Defensive stars for Garden City were goaltender Greg McNamara and defensemen Brian Collins, Kevin Seiferth,
Chris Breslin, Kevin Rice and Michael Makris. Brian Collins had a great game, despite playing much of the
game with a painful rib injury that will force him to miss the rest of the playoffs. McNamara had another
strong effort in the Garden City nets, recording 21 saves in his team leading fifth victory in seven starts.
Garden City will face Levittown/East Meadow in the best two of three games finals. Garden City team members
include: Max Auricchio, Kevin Betts, Ryan Boelsen, Chris Breslin, John Colan, Brendan Collins, Brian Collins,
Gerry Diamond, Greg Flaster, Jeff Greco, John Iamascia, Brian Kiernan, Mike Makris, Greg McNamara, Ryan Norell,
Conor Reeves, Kevin Rice, Kevin Seiferth, Kyle Seiferth and Conor Sweeney.