Buffalo Stars Off To Jersey

These games are important in that the Stars are looking to improve their positioning for post season play. All three Buffalo Stars Junior teams have qualified for post season play. The Stars CHA C team completed its regular season last weekend as it obtained three of four points from Pittsburgh and solidified its hold on third place in the standings. The team will open its double elimination series against the Frederick Freeze on March 12th in Warwick, PA.  The team finishes the regular season with a record of 11-12-4 and finished 16-15-5 overall.

The CHA Junior B team sits in third place in the American Conference with a league record of 19-10-3.  The Stars are sixth overall in the league but the standings are so tight, they could move to as high as third place.  The Stars CHA B team will also open its playoff double elimination series in Warwick March 12th.  Buffalo has been led offensively by Andy Sturtz (37 points), Mike Schalberg (30 points), and Cody Tiejeira, Zack Haun and Ryan Sheehan, each with 26 points.  On the defensive end, Tyler Clegg leads the way with 22 points.  PJ Bluff and Ian Shorthouse have been solid in net for the Stars.

The Stars Empire Junior B team currently sits in fifth place in the Empire American Conference with a league record of 21-12-4. With two games in hand on Syracuse, the Stars look to win their final four regular season games and move into 3rd or 4th place.  Right now the standings between 3rd and 7th are up for grabs.  Regardless of position, the Stars will open its double elimination series in Warwick on March 5th.  Buffalo has maintained a balanced offense all season as Veterans Josh Smith (29 points), Danny Potter (28 points), Kyle Leto (27 points) lead the way. Michael Deppeler leads the way for rookies with 25 points.  Veteran defensemen Hayden Fitzpatrick (20 points) and Larry Smith (17 points) lead the way offensively for the blue line corps.  Adam Kirk and Christopher Paulin have been solid in net all season with save percentages of .902 and .909, respectively. 

Playoff Notes:

Playoffs for all three leagues will involve a double elimination series. The CHA C will send two teams to the Nationals; the CHA B will send two teams and the Empire B will send five.  In addition, the Empire sixth place team and CHA B’s third place team will have to participate in a “play-in” game to determine an additional spot at Nationals.  There is, of course, a long shot scenario where both Buffalo B teams would have to play each other to determine that additional spot.