Video: Ryan Walpole's highlights vs. Hilton
See the Pittsford star in action.The winter season starts earliest for boys' hockey teams. That means we've already seen a large amount of meaningful contests that could provide a preview of which teams will be front and center come playoff time.
Pittsford picks up win heard 'round the state
It may have been the game of the year so far this season. And what a game it was, as Section 5's
Pittsford prevailed 4-3 in overtime against Section 10's
Massena, which ended last season as the state's top-ranked team in Division I. The Panthers pulled out the win on an OT goal by
Ryan Walpole, who also had two assists. Goaltender
Aidan Richardson made 33 saves and
Quinn Doyle had a goal and two assists for Pittsford.
Massena has a brick wall in Brothers Massena has gotten a big lift from goaltender
Logan Brothers. The 5-foot-8, 130-pound Brothers is small but shifty with quick reflexes. He made 31 saves in a 6-0 win against McQuaid Jesuit in a game played at RIT. In Massena's season-opening 10-3 win over Alexandria, he made 18 saves.
Pelham's schedule stacked with state powers A team Massena will be skating against in February,
Pelham Memorial, has been tested by tough foes from near and far in the early going.
The Pelicans, who have won five Section 1 Division 2 titles the last seven years, have seen several other state powers from out of its own area in the meantime, including Shenendehowa and Williamsville South. Other upcoming, non-section games prior to the Massena meeting include contests against New Hartford, Beekmantown, Williamsville East, Niagara Wheatfield, Skaneateles, Salmon River and Massena. The Massena game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at Massena Arena.
Suffern scores big win over West Genesee 
Tim Patwell, Suffern
File photo by Jim Sannerud
was one of the state's most dominant teams in 2014-15, finishing 21-1-1. But the Wildcats were tripped up by perennial state power
Suffern, 6-5 in overtime, in the title game of West Genny's own invitational.
Mike Ruthberg scored just under seven minutes into overtime to win it for Suffern. It was his third goal of the game.
Tim Patwell had three assists for Suffern. After falling behind 2-0 after the first period, the Mounties outscored West Genesee 3-1 in the second period to tie it at 3-3.
West Genny rebounded from the Suffern setback by dealing Mohawk Valley its first defeat of the season 6-1 as Jay Considine had three goals and one assist.
Feeder/finisher leads Victor to strong start Max Lambert has shown his scoring versatility and the result has been a 4-1 start for Section 5's
Victor, which is coming off a 17-7 season. Lambert had two goals and three assists in a 6-2 win over Brighton/HFL/ER, giving him four goals and seven assists for a team-leading 11 points. Goalie
Chayse Ierlan, meanwhile, has allowed an average of just two goals per game.
Multimedia news and sports editor and producer Joe Lombardi is director of media initiatives and managing editor of DailyVoice.com, as well as Media Director/Co-Partner of LaxLessons.com.Follow Joe on Twitter @Joe_Lombardi.
