HIGH SCHOOL GAME OF THE WEEK: PITTSFORD VS. CANANDAIGUA
Jan 16, 2024For the next several weeks, the Rochester Americans will once again be front and center on the local high school hockey scene as part of a weekly series that features the latest news and notes, scores and stats of select Section V games around the Greater Rochester Area.
The week’s High School Game of the Week features the Pittsford Panthers (8-2-1) facing off with the Canandaigua Academy Braves (6-4-2) tonight at 6:00 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena.
The Panthers enter tonight’s matchup holding the top spot in Class A and being one of two teams in the division with two regular-season losses. Seven of their eight wins have come on home ice while their eight wins overall are tied for second in the standings. Pittsford’s 58 goals scored are most in the standings while their 24 goals-against are fewest.
Except for a 5-2 defeat to start the season, a 5-5 tie on Friday Jan. 5 and a 3-1 defeat this past Saturday, Pittsford won eight straight contests, which included a pair where they outscored the opposition by a combined 26-4.
Pittsford is looking for its third straight win against Canandaigua Academy following a 5-1 score last season and a 6-3 victory in 2021-22. During the two previous contests, the Panthers outshot the Braves 82-37.
Of the 23 players on Pittsford’s roster, 15 have scored at least one goal while 21 have posted a point or more through the first 11 games of the 2023-24 campaign.
Brady McMahon tops the Panthers in both assists (18) and points (23) while Keegan Garver has a team-high 14 goals. Bradley Pollard (15), Drew Ricketts (11), David Pollard (11) and Keegan Ahern (10) all have reached double figures in points.
Goaltender Wilson Szydlo boasts a 5-0-0 record to go with one shutout and a 1.45 goals-against average through his first seven appearances. Aden Brown (270:43) and Hayden Shelton (17:00) each have also seen time in the crease with Brown posting a 3-2-1 mark in six contests while Shelton has not had a decision.
Pittsford is led by head coach Steve Thering and assistant coaches Rory Foster, Tom Maier, and Terry Shafer.
Canandaigua enters the contest looking to get back to its winning ways after starting 7-0-1 through its first eight games. Despite being winless in their last four games (0-3-1), the Braves have held 11 of their 12 opponents overall to three or fewer goals.
After combining for 28 goals, 41 assists and 69 points last season, Maddox Smith, Josh Barnes, and DJ Spychalski all currently are first, second and third in points, respectively, for Canandaigua through 12 games. Smith paces the club in goals (8) and points (16) while Spychalski has a team-high 10 assists to go with 14 points. Barnes’ (14) points and seven goals are second. Brody Spinosa (11) and Jed Smith (10) are the fourth and fifth players to reach double digits in points.
The goaltending tandem of Charlie Fuller and Matthew Ulirch return in 2023-24 with Fuller handling all the duties in the crease for the Braves as he sports a 6-4-2 record.
The Braves are led by head coach David Taft and assistant coaches Austin Wharry, Zander Pyor, and Spencer Taft.
Following Tuesday’s matchup, Canandaigua hosts Aquinas for a 7:00 p.m. faceoff on Friday, Jan. 19 at Canandaigua Civic Center. Pittsford heads to Tim Horton’s Iceplex and will welcome Victor on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m.