HIGH SCHOOL GAME OF THE WEEK: CANANDAIGUA ACADEMY VS. CHURCHVILLE-CHILI

Dec 7, 2021

Over the next several weeks, the Rochester Americans will be front and center on the local high school hockey scene as part of a new weekly series that will feature the latest news and notes, scores and stats of select Section V games around the Greater Rochester Area. 

 

CANANDAIGUA ACADEMY 2021-22 STATS

 

CHURCHVILLE-CHILI 2021-22 STATS

 

This week’s High School Game of the Week pits the top two teams in the MCPSAC Division 2 as Canandaigua Academy Braves go up against Churchville-Chili Saints tonight at Scottsville Ice Arena.

 

A mere two points is all that separates the two teams in the Division 2 standings, with the Saints currently sitting atop the Division with a 3-1-0 record through their first four games of the season. Churchville-Chili is also one of just seven teams across Section V to remain unbeaten at home so far this season, showing a 2-0-0 mark within the friendly confines of Scottsville Ice Arena.

 

The Saints, who opened the season on a three-game win streak before falling in their most recent game to Kenmore West on Saturday, are led offensively by junior forwards Max McKay and Tyler Eberhart, who rank first and second on the team in scoring, respectively.

McKay leads the team in goals (8) and points (15) and is tied for the team lead in assists (4) through just four games this season. McKay has recorded at least four points in three of his first our games, including back-to-back five-point efforts in the 7-5 win over Hamburg and the 8-7 win over the Greece Storm to begin the month of December.

Eberhart, meanwhile, remains at close second with 14 points is coming off back-to-back three-point showing in each of his last two games. His best performance of the season came in the 7-5 win over Hamburg on Dec. 3 when he single-handedly factored in on each of Churchville-Chili’s seven goals, scoring three and assisting on four others.

Junior goaltender Liam Letters has started all four games for the Saints, boasting a 3-1-0 record with one shutout, a 2.61 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He opened the season with a 23-save shutout in the 9-0 rout of Irondequoit back on Nov. 30 and is currently riding a three-game win streak.

Canandaigua Academy is 2-3-0 through its first five games of the season but have dropped two of its last three coming into tonight following a 4-3 overtime loss to Williamsville East on Saturday. The Spychalski brothers, consisting of forwards Dominick and DJ, combined for five points, with Dominick scoring twice, including the game-tying goal with 3:55 remaining in regulation, and DJ notching three assists in the loss.

Dominick leads all Braves skaters in all offensive categories in goals (5), assists (6) and points (11) through his first five games. He’s recorded at least one point in all fives games to begin the season, which includes three three-point outings over that span.

Canandaigua’s goaltending duties have been split between junior netminder Ethan Palmer and sophomore Charlie Fuller. Palmer is 2-1-0 with an impress 1.96 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.