Garden City Wings Ice Hockey Club
Wings Varsity 2006-2007 GC News April 6, 2007 Article
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Varsity Wings Ice Hockey Season Wraps Up


1st row: Coach Rich Peck, Brian Johnston, Aaron Kim, Davey Logan, Nick Greco, James Ross, Coach Frank Kiernan
2nd row: Pat Donahue, Tom Greco,John Mendicino, Beau Lardner, Tim Moynihan, Eric Diller
3rd row: Coach Nick Gaudiosi, Joe Scalise, Matt Valitutto-Gaudiosi, Tom Rossidis,David Brown, Spiros Markopoulos,
Mike Lanciotti, Tom White, Statistician Tom White Missing from photo: Jimmy Georgas

The Wings wrapped up their season with a four game round robin where their draw included three of the top four teams in the division. The Wings finished with strong games, but not enough points on the season for a playoff spot.

In the February 17 game against Plainview, Nick Greco scored from John Mendicino and Joe Scalise to tie the game at 1 in the first. The second period saw five goals scored. Three of those were GC goals all scored by John Mendicino for the hat trick. Aaron Kim had the assist on Mendicino's second goal. The third period was all Plainview as they took the lead and kept it. GC played well, but could not hang on and 6-4 Plainview was how it ended.

On February 27, the Wings faced Sewanhaka for the teams third meeting of the season and the series at one game each. Sewanhaka took an early two goal lead. Nick Greco responded netting a Spiros Markopoulos set up. Sewanhaka scored twice again in the second period. The scored stay 4-1 until late in the third period with only 45 seconds on the clock John Mendicino would find Matt Valitutto-Gaudiosi in the slot to bring the score to 4-2.

Manhasset would be the Wings next opponent on March 11. The Wings came out flying. Leading the way was John Mendicino, who would score three times unassisted. Manhasset would then respond with 5 unanswered goals in the second period. Nick Greco would restore the Wings' lead seconds in to the third period followed quickly by Spiros Markopoulos finding John Mendicino for his fourth goal of the game. The game tied at five was far from over and less than one minute after Manhasset retook the lead; David Brown's pass would connect with Spiros Markopoulos to tie it at 6. After a valiant effort, the Wings would fall 9-6.

Senior Brian Johnston would make his final appearance for the Wings in the game on March 14 against St. Mary's. With a short bench due to missing players, the Wings knew that it would not be an easy night. The depleted Wings squad played hard all three periods, but was no match for the full bench of third place St. Mary's. The Wings would score twice in the game. John Mendicino would score in the second period on a sweet pass from Spiros Markopoulos. Nick Greco found the net in the third period on a nice set up by Mendicino down low who corralled an Aaron Kim pass from the point.

Prior to the start of this season the Wings were expected to be really beat up every game and winning any would have been astounding. This team far exceeded expectation with five victories and many of their losses being decided by a one goal margin. The players demonstrated heart by never giving up when behind and worked hard to improve their defense to be able to shut down some of the very talented lines they faced that scored at will early on during the season. The Wings coaching staff is encouraged by the way that the team continues to improve and is looking forward to a strong season and a playoff run this time next year.

The Wings this season were:

Freshman Pat Donahue, Beau Lardner, Spiros Markopoulos, Tom Moynihan, James Ross and Tom White.
Sophomores: Jimmy Georgas, Tom Greco and Eric Diller
Juniors: David Brown, Nick Greco, Aaron Kim, Michael Lanciotti, Davey Logan, John Mendicino, Joe Scalise, Tom Rossidis, and Matt Valitutto-Gaudiosi.
Senior: Brian Johnston

Please check out the Wings' website for information about the Wings organization and our upcoming seasons. www.gcwings.org

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