A rivalry. A homicide detective. Lessons in inclusion. And, a double overtime win in a championship game. It’s the stuff of an historic, storied season.
The University at Buffalo hockey team had a longstanding rivalry with Niagara University, a team that had gone undefeated this season. It was fitting that the Bulls were meeting Niagara in the Northeast Collegiate Hockey League championship game. A match-up so intense the end of regulation play showed a tied 7-7 score. The Bulls had overcome a 7-3 deficit to start the third period and with a championship season on the line, with each team having a first overtime goal disallowed, senior Chris Covel scored the goal that ended the game.
Yes, that’s play-by-play announce Zaque Evans screaming “Holy Schnikes” in UB’s You Can Play video over video of the game-winning goal. It had been a season of scoring and inclusion for the Bulls. Team staff who are openly gay or challenged in some way say they felt nothing but respected and protected by the UB team. It was a fitting end to a season that won’t be forgotten in Buffalo – one in which coach Sal Valvo, a homicide detective, was nominated as ACHA Coach of the Year, the Bulls won the Memorial Cup, Club of the Year designation, and, a championship game.
Shot at Baird Point at Lake LaSalle on UB’s campus, UB’s You Can Play video features team president Craig Meany, Kevin Mahoney, Willie Sanchez, Shane Hurley, champion goalie Mike “Muzey” Musialowski, and Dimitri “DK” Koutsomitis. UB media study student Colton Woods and Zaque Evans coordinated and produced the video with music by Kevin MacLeod.