Eric Benshadle of Williamsville North works past Aric Wilson of Niagara-Wheatfield during the Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation Large Schools final Sunday at the First Niagara Center. The Spartans lost, 4-0. Photo by Scott SchildPurchase color photos at www.BeeNews.comWilliamsville North’s bid for its second straight Division I state title ended abruptly in the Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Large Schools final.

Niagara-Wheatfield senior goalie Alex Kammerer made 33 saves as the second-seeded Falcons toppled the top-seeded Spartans, 4-0, Sunday at the First Niagara Center. North went undefeated last year to win its fourth state title in school history.

“It’s frustrating,” North coach Bob Rosen said. “We did not play our best game. How much of it was them and how much of it was us — it was a little bit of both.”

“We came in and played our game early on,” Niagara-Wheatfield coach Rick Wrazin said. “When we got the lead, we changed our forecheck a bit and played more defensively. We got a great game out of our goalie. Our forwards were on them on the forecheck. We didn’t give them a lot of time in their end and created turnovers. As the game went on, I felt we got better and better. I’m proud of the boys’ effort.”

It was the third meeting between the schools in the Fed final in the last four years. Niagara Wheatfield won 4-3 in 2008-09 and North won 2-0 in 2009-10.

Senior Scott Sims — North’s all-time leading scorer — and his linemates — senior Jeff McAndrews and junior Tyler Green — were stopped by Kammerer, beginning with a breakaway save on Sims midway through the first period.

Senior Keith Haseley gave Niagara Wheatfield a 1-0 lead with 1:10 left in the first period. Sophomore Anthony Vekich threw the pass in front to a wide-open Haseley.

“We missed a breakaway early,” Rosen said. “We didn’t cash when we had our chances. They did a good job early on and they got the first faceoff goal, which really hurt. Any time you can get a lead in a game like this is important.”

Kammerer’s best save of the game came with about 10 minutes remaining in regulation, as he swatted away a shot by Sims with his glove.

“I looked up, saw the puck and waived at it,” said Kammerer — the game’s MVP. “I didn’t even know if I got a piece of it. I knew in my head I’m not going to let anything in.”

Senior Dillon Hayes scored two goals for the Falcons. His first goal came from junior Nick Matos at the 1:34 mark of the second period. North tried to clear the puck, but the Falcons kept it in the Spartans’ zone, Matos’ shot hit the goal post and Hayes tapped in the rebound.

Hayes’ second goal came from Matos and senior Alex Bottenfield at the 8:23 mark of the third period. North goalie Jake Griebner (29 saves) got a piece of Hayes’ second goal, but it went off his back and the back of his leg into the net.

Any chance of a late North comeback was ended four minutes later with a goal by senior Cory Becker, assisted by junior Brandon Schrader.

North finished 17-3-3. Nine seniors graduate: Griebner; forwards Sims, McAndrews, Alex DiDonato, Brad Ferrell, Adam Hepp and David Powers; and defensemen Max Slick and Mike Nowicki.