Playoff Week 2 Recap: Scoreboards Lit, Divisions Tight, and Nobody’s Safe

Niagara Falls, NY — Week 2 of the playoffs came in hot. Goals everywhere, standings tightening up, and just enough chirping to remind everyone this isn’t open skate anymore.

Let’s break it down.

Watchtower Financial 6 – Villani’s Landscape 5

This one had everything: momentum swings, big performances, and at least three guys yelling “CHANGE!” when no one was actually ready.

Jason Pietrowski led Watchtower with 2 goals, while Colton Anstey continued his playoff heater (1 goal, 2 assists). Brandon Franke, Bob Bucci, and Anthony Destino also found the back of the net, and the depth scoring proved to be the difference.

Villani’s didn’t go quietly. Anthony Villani (1G, 2A), Brent Russell (1G, 2A), Ryan Stayner, Cory Espanola, and Dave Kok all scored in a balanced attack. But once again, Villani’s is scoring… and still somehow chasing.

Watchtower moves to 2-0 and looks very comfortable in chaos.

GI Greatscape 7 – Greater Niagara Mechanical 4

GI came out like they had something to prove.

Jeff Gruarin put up a monster night (2G, 3A), while Mike Mondoux and Dave Ciesielski each scored twice. Sean McAndrew added one and chipped in an assist. The puck movement? Crisp. The finishing? Clinical.

Mechanical had pushback — Marc Braun buried two, Ted Janese and Sam Prezioso added goals, and Ryan Thuman dished three assists — but GI’s depth

was just too much.

That win pulls GI right back into the North race.

AAA Timberline 4 – Brick Oven Grinders 4

Absolute playoff hockey. Tight, physical, and nobody giving an inch (except maybe on backchecks). Matt Bird scored twice for Timberline, with Tom Hanna and Bryan Hood adding goals. Timberline spread the assists around like Halloween candy.

Brick Oven answered with goals from Mike Seelbinder, Ben Certo, Matt Duffy, and Brian Kopf. Robert Cushman and Kyle Braham each picked up two assists, keeping the offense humming.

A tie keeps Brick Oven in first in the South — but Watchtower is breathing down their necks.

HHJ Dentistry 6 – Mackenzie’s Automotive 3

The North’s top dog keeps barking. Rich Jenkins and Jim Scaringi each scored twice, while Matt Shumate Jr. and Ryan Metzger added one apiece. When HHJ gets balanced scoring, it’s a long night for anyone.

Mackenzie’s got two from Tom Hopkins and one from Scott Retzlaff, with George Woodley quietly stacking three assists. But penalties (8 PIM) didn’t help the cause.

HHJ moves to 2-0 and continues to look like the team everyone’s trying to knock off.

Playoff Standings After Week 2

North Division

1️⃣ HHJ Dentistry (2-0) – Still in control

2️⃣ GI Greatscape (1-1) – Back in it

3️⃣ Greater Niagara Mechanical – Work to do

4️⃣ Mackenzie’s Auto – Running out of runway

South Division

1️⃣ Brick Oven Grinders – Still on top

2️⃣ Watchtower Financial – 2-0 and surging

3️⃣ AAA Timberline – Hanging tough

4️⃣ Villani’s Landscape – Needs a statement win

Final Thoughts

Watchtower’s offense is officially playoff certified.

GI just made the North interesting again.

Brick Oven bent but didn’t break.

HHJ still looks like the favorite.

Two weeks in and the playoff picture is tightening.

Short benches are getting shorter.

Ice bags are multiplying.

Week 3 is going to matter. 🏒🔥