The Steelers, playing in the Mixed and Large Schools Division, allows for high school eligible hockey players from the surrounding area schools such as Fredonia, Dunkirk, Silver Creek, Forestville and Westfield among other communities touching the district.

In recent years, the Steelers varsity squad found major success in winning back-to-back state championships in 2016 and 2017. Varsity head coach Mike Mead and jayvee head coach Shaun Fadale both have the same winning objective in mind.

“As we are a just about two weeks until playoffs, we will be working on the finer points of our game” Mead said recently.

Prior to playoffs the varsity team held a Senior Night ceremony where the Steelers recognized the eight outgoing senior athletes.

Photo by Michael Reynolds Dunkirk-Fredonia goaltender Zach Waterman plays the puck during Monday’s game against St. Joe’s White.

“We will be facing a best-of-three series. With the concentration on defeating Jamestown in this series, this would be the icing on the cake for our seniors,” Mead said. “I have enjoyed coaching all the seniors for the past three to four years.”

Whoever wins the best-of-three series advances to Super Saturday, a showcase of high school hockey, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

Just as energetic and focused as the varsity team, the Steelers jayvee team is poised to make a showing during their first playoff game matchup.

“We have fought hard battles this year coming up short at times,” Fadale said. “We want to rectify those shortcomings by making a statement in the playoffs.”

The jayvee squad will travel east to play West Seneca in their first round. If successful, they will encounter a second round with a team yet to be determined.

The public is welcome to watch the Steelers host Jamestown for the first game of the three-game series at Steele Hall Ice Arena on the campus of Fredonia State University on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 6:15 p.m.

There is a $5 gate fee donation and masks will be required to be worn in the building.

The second game will be played at the Northwest Arena on Third Street in Jamestown on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. If the first two games result in a series tie, a 10-minute mini game will follow directly after to decide the winner.

The Steelers NCCYHA organization hosts all levels of youth hockey, including Learn to Play Hockey for youngsters looking to start their own future playoff hopes. Inquire about this and find more information about the Steelers by visiting www.nccyha.com.