Hockey Sectionals

I was able to shoot 2 sectional quarterfinal hockey games at Genesee Valley Ice Rink on February 20th. The first game was Gates-Chili v. Hilton. I walked in a few minutes late to see that it was already 2-1 and Gates had the lead. The Spartans exploded offensively in the second period and Hilton could not weather the storm. Tough defeat for the Cadets and Gates moved on to face the Lightning with a 7-1 win. Click here for the rest of the pics...

The second game was much better. Aquinas was playing the higher seed McQuaid. Both teams scored a goal in the first period and it stayed tied until the third. Each team had a goal disallowed including a goal Aquinas scored with 4 minutes left in the game. Aquinas bounced back after the disallowed goal to score with about two minutes left and win 2-1. Click here for the rest of the photos...

January Basketball and Hockey

I want to catch up now that winter session is beginning to slow down. Saturday, Jan. 16th the Gates-Chili hockey team took on the Liverpool Warriors from Section 6. The game was very physical with a surplus of penalties and Liverpool had a very difficult time controlling the puck on the offensive end. The Spartans offense was too quick to the puck and put a lot of pressure on the Warriors goalie (who was outstanding). Click here for the rest of the pics from the game...

On Wednesday, January 20th, I was at Gates-Chili's gym to shoot both JV and Varsity boys basketball games. The Spartans were taking on the Brockport Blue Devils. This game was fairly easy for Gates once Imes, Brockport's big man, got in foul trouble early. Not sure how much better of a game it would have been if he was able to play more. The Spartans win big 75-34. Click here for the rest of the pics from the JV and Varsity game...

Two days later, Gates played Friday night against the Hilton Cadets. This was a great game as both teams played hard and it seemed to be a tale of two halves. Hilton started hot beating Gates to the basket and scoring often. Gates didn't seem to have the scoring touch until the second half where they fought back to take the lead. They held on to the lead and played like a different team in the second half to win 43-36. Click here for the rest of the pics from the game...

Thursday the 28th of January, there was another great hockey game involving the Gates and Greece teams. This time it was the Lightning facing the Spartans at Lakeshore Ice Rink. Gates-Chili led for most of the game but Greece tied it up in the third and went ahead with a little over 3 mins left in the game. The Lightning held on to win 4-3. Click here for the rest of the pics from the game...

Girls basketball played on Friday the 29th against Greece Arcadia. Gates girls fought hard through this game and almost pulled off the upset as they lost 53-52. This was the most physical girls basketball game I have ever witnessed. The inside girls battled for every loose ball and rebound. The young Gates' guards were great again for the Spartans. I also photographed the JV game before the varsity. Click here for the rest of the pics from the JV and Varsity game...

Saturday Hockey

Fairport hockey took on McQuaid in a tournament Saturday, December 12th at Genesee Valley Park Rink. The Red Raiders started off slow but quickly turned on the offense in the second period. They ended up defeating the Knights 5-0. Click here for the rest of the gallery...

After the Fairport-McQuaid game, Gates faced off against Thomas. Both teams came into the game undefeated and looking to continue their hot streaks. The Spartans scored early but that was the only goal they would score. The Titans poured it on and came out on top with a 5-1 score. Click here for the rest of the pics...

Season Favorites 2008-09: Hockey

I decided I wanted to finish off my first full high school sports season with a "best of" for each sport. I shot about 8 games last season and if anyone has ever been in a hockey rink knows the difficult lighting. Hopefully in the future I will be able to use stobes (flash) in the rink for better shots. Anyways, here are my favorites for the 2008-2009 season.

Galleries: 2008-09 Hockey

High School Hockey Sectionals

Gates Chili opened their 2009 sectionals against Brighton/ER/HFL at Genesee Valley Ice Rink. They played very well shutting out their opponents 4-0. The one bright spot for Brighton was some of the great saves their goalie made. He really stood out facing over 30 shots on goal. The game got real chippy near the end, which turned into a fight between a couple players with a minute left in the game. Gates will face Fairport in the next round.
I decided to try the blog without watermarks, we will se how that goes. Here are some of the shots...

Sectionals: First Round (Brighton)

Titans v. Spartans on the Rink

Spartans hockey had them facing the Webster Thomas Titans on Wednesday. The game looked to be a close one but GC needed to stay away from the penalty box. Gates stayed out of the penalty box for most of the game and neither team took any in the first period. Gates scored in the first period and then late in the third to seal it with a 2-0 win.

I thought this shot really told a story. It was the first goal of the game and shows a Titans player looking back at Gates-Chili celebrating.

Rest of the pics: GC v. Webster Thomas

Back to Photography

Finally was able to get out and shoot a game. Been very busy due to Christmas, a sick dog, and a death in the family. I was able to shoot a Gates hockey game at home against Liverpool. Gates won 3-1 in a penalty filled game including a fight where both players were thrown out. Here are a few of the pics.

Rest of the gallery here: Gates-Chili v. Liverpool

Gates-Chili Ice Hockey Begins

Gates started off the season against the toughest team in Section V; Pittsford. The game was played at Genesee Valley Ice Rink in Rochester, N.Y. This was my first time shooting at this rink, so I tryed a couple lens and angles. Lighting was difficult as usual in most smaller rinks.

Overall Gates played well and held with Pittsford for 2 periods. Very defensive beginning with neither team scoring and very few shots on goal.

Shot on net from a tough angle

Hard check in the Pittsford zone

Gates captain with a hip check

Pittsford's breakaway goal with 8 minutes left in the third

This was the only goal in the game and was scored on a shorthanded breakaway by one of Section V's top players from last year. Gates looked good and I think they will do some damage in Section V this year, just was a tough team to start the year with. Good luck Gates!

See the photos here: GC Hockey