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Saturday, October 4, 2014
BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — When the 6-0 Jersey Shore Wildcats pull up to Dwyer Arena tonight to face the 3-2 Lockport Express, they'll be bringing two Buffalo-area natives with them.
Tim O'Connor of Warsaw joined the Wildcats in late October of 2013. The defenseman had a great freshman season with the Junior A club — which won the league championship last year — and continues to look good this year, according to Assistant Coach Cole Bell.
"Tim really improved throughout the year," Bell said by phone Saturday. "He's been steady back there. We can always count on him."
The 17-year-old "skates well, moves the puck. He does everything we ask of him," Bell said.
O'Connor was — in a way — instrumental in getting a second Buffalo-area native on the New Jersey team. His father, Tim O'Connor Sr., is a hockey scout and saw something he liked in Travis Valvo, now a forward for the Wildcats. Valvo was playing for the Wheatfield Blades 18U team at the time.
Of Valvo, Bell said, "He's great. Brings a lot of energy, makes simple plays, plays hard. He's not afraid to get his nose dirty when necessary."
"Tiim and Travis both have a lot of friends coming (tonight)," Bell said. "They're both excited about coming home and playing in front of everybody."
Express Coach Frank Vecchio says the Wildcats are going to be a tough test for his team.
"From what I understand, they're a big team, but they're skilled. If you look at their penalty minutes, they play hockey," Vecchio said. "They have a deep lineup and they're tough to beat."
"We are looking to give them their first loss of the season, I'll tell you that," Vecchio added.
The puck drops at 5:30 p.m. at Dwyer Arena. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for youth and Niagara University students.
Two players suspended
The Express' last game at Dwyer Arena was a 9-3 blowout over the Roc City Royals. The game got ugly in the third period and two Royals' players were suspended by the league for their actions. Reece Tucker was suspended for 10 games, while Bryan Smith will sit out five games.
The Express will play the Royals again on Oct. 18, expected to be the first game at Cornerstone Arena. Vecchio hopes it's a better hockey game than fans saw on Sept. 27.
"I want this to be a good product. I want people to come out and enjoy it," Vecchio said.
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scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
Tim O'Connor of Warsaw joined the Wildcats in late October of 2013. The defenseman had a great freshman season with the Junior A club — which won the league championship last year — and continues to look good this year, according to Assistant Coach Cole Bell.
"Tim really improved throughout the year," Bell said by phone Saturday. "He's been steady back there. We can always count on him."
The 17-year-old "skates well, moves the puck. He does everything we ask of him," Bell said.
O'Connor was — in a way — instrumental in getting a second Buffalo-area native on the New Jersey team. His father, Tim O'Connor Sr., is a hockey scout and saw something he liked in Travis Valvo, now a forward for the Wildcats. Valvo was playing for the Wheatfield Blades 18U team at the time.
Of Valvo, Bell said, "He's great. Brings a lot of energy, makes simple plays, plays hard. He's not afraid to get his nose dirty when necessary."
"Tiim and Travis both have a lot of friends coming (tonight)," Bell said. "They're both excited about coming home and playing in front of everybody."
Express Coach Frank Vecchio says the Wildcats are going to be a tough test for his team.
"From what I understand, they're a big team, but they're skilled. If you look at their penalty minutes, they play hockey," Vecchio said. "They have a deep lineup and they're tough to beat."
"We are looking to give them their first loss of the season, I'll tell you that," Vecchio added.
The puck drops at 5:30 p.m. at Dwyer Arena. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for youth and Niagara University students.
Two players suspended
The Express' last game at Dwyer Arena was a 9-3 blowout over the Roc City Royals. The game got ugly in the third period and two Royals' players were suspended by the league for their actions. Reece Tucker was suspended for 10 games, while Bryan Smith will sit out five games.
The Express will play the Royals again on Oct. 18, expected to be the first game at Cornerstone Arena. Vecchio hopes it's a better hockey game than fans saw on Sept. 27.
"I want this to be a good product. I want people to come out and enjoy it," Vecchio said.
Send an email to news@eastniagarapost.com with "email update" in the subject line.
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