Author: Spencer Davidson

Sports Director at WKTV NEWSChannel 2 in Utica, N.Y.

FEATURE INTERVIEW: Local native Silberlicht leading Team Israel at World Lacrosse Box Championship

This was one of the more thrilling interviews I have ever done as I had the chance to combine the personal with professional!

I caught up one-on-one with New Hartford native Yakov (Jake) Silberlicht, my childhood hockey/lacrosse teammate and one of my all-time closest friends, as he returned to the area to compete for Team Israel in the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships in Utica.

A portion of the interview aired during NEWSChannel 2 at 11 on Thursday, September 26, 2024. This is an extended version containing the interview in full.

The interview was entirely solo produced, and shot at the Adirondack Bank Center (at Utica Memorial Auditorium), where Silberlicht and I won a state title in high school hockey together during our senior year at New Hartford 15 years ago.

Every aspect of this interview, including location and camera set-up, video recording and editing, and content gathering was done entirely by me individually. Photos included are from Silberlicht’s Instagram page.

It was quite the thrill to be able to reconnect with him, and hear more about, and share his story, from a place with so much history in our lives together!

BACKGROUND:

Silberlicht has been living in Israel since 2013 where serves as team captain for both the Israeli national field (outdoor) and box (indoor) lacrosse teams.

He also serves full-time as the VP of External Affairs for Israel Lacrosse, where he helps lead the charge to grow the game in a nation that hadn’t been formerly introduced to it on a large scale.

In his role, Silberlicht travels the country organizing various events, clinics, and community outreach initiatives, with the goal of making the sport more visible and accessible to all.

He also became an Israeli citizen and has served a mandatory duty in the Israel Defense Forces, recently having been called up for deployment from the reserves in the wake of the horrific October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre and subsequent war in the region.

For more on his story, check out my article published on WKTV.com.

New Article Published on ‘Forever Blueshirts’

Breaking down Rangers goalie guru’s legendary influence past 2 decades

Check out my latest byline, an article published at ForeverBlueshirts.com on Aug. 28, 2024!

It discusses the impact of long-term New York Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire and what his semi-retirement moving forward will mean for the organization.

Drop a comment and let me know what you think!

7-21-24 AS-LIVE PKG (11 P.M.): Baseball Hall of Fame officially inducts four-member Class of 2024 in Cooperstown

As-live package airing during NEWSChannel 2 at 11 on location from Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown after the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Within the self-produced segment, Jon Cerio and I recap the historic event from the grounds where it happened as Joe Mauer, Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton, and Jim Leyland were all officially enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Story includes sound bites from each member of the Class of 2024.

4-15-24 SPORTS (6 P.M.): Despite falling just short of gold, Team USA leaves Utica feeling the love

My full live in-studio sports segment from NEWSChannel 2 at 6 on April 15, 2024. It revisits the previous night’s thrilling overtime finish in the gold medal game of 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, N.Y.

Team USA fell to Canada 6-5 on home ice, ending its bid to repeat as world champions in heartbreaking fashion. While the U.S. closed out the tournament disappointed yet with a silver medal in tow, Team Canada’s revenge was complete thanks to Danielle Serdachny, who recently completed her collegiate career just 30 miles from Utica, at Colgate University.

This piece focuses more on the overall experience of the Women’s World Championship in Utica, with interviews from members of Team USA offering their thoughts on and gratitude for the Utica community for its support of them throughout the exciting 12-day journey.

Entire segment, and all elements within it, were entirely solo-produced.

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Original story, write-up published at:

https://www.wktv.com/sports/despite-falling-just-short-of-gold-team-usa-leaves-utica-feeling-the-love-and-support/video_954fa78a-afe0-5f94-b789-a5bf34672644.html

4-14-24 AS-LIVE (11 P.M.): Colgate alum Serdachny scores golden goal to end Team USA’s bid for repeat, lift Canada to gold medal in IIHF Women’s World Championship

As-live segment during NEWSChannel 2 at 11 on April 14, 2024, from center ice at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, recapping the thrilling conclusion to the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship where Team Canada beat Team USA 6-5 in overtime to enact revenge for last year’s final loss, and capture its world-record 13th gold medal.

I provide brief recap and post-game analysis of the instant classic (highlights aired during broadcast but withheld in web story due to potential copyright issues), with post-game interviews from Team Canada OT hero Danielle Serdachny, who played collegiate hockey just 30 miles away in Hamilton, N.Y. at Colgate University, as well as, Team USA Coach John Wroblewski, and forward Laila Edwards.

Entire segment, and all elements within it, were entirely solo-produced.

Original story, write-up published at:

https://www.wktv.com/sports/former-colgate-captain-serdachny-scores-golden-goal-in-overtime-thriller-to-end-team-usas-bid/article_aa98ecd2-faf3-11ee-8265-6ba9b04d8ec7.html

4-13-24 LIVE HIT (11 P.M.): Going for Gold! Team USA sets up final rematch with Canada after win over Finland in semis

Live hit during NEWSChannel 2 at 11 on April 13, 2024, from the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, recapping the Team USA’s semifinals win over Finland in the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship. It would set up a Gold Medal Game rematch against rival, Canada, for an epic tournament finale, the following night.

I provide highlights, and my post-game analysis from the game with post-game interviews from Team USA Coach John Wroblewski, as well as forwards Laila Edwards, and Hannah Bilka.

Entire segment, and all elements within it (besides original game broadcast footage), were entirely solo-produced.

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Original story, write-up published at:

https://www.wktv.com/sports/going-for-gold-behind-edwards-hat-trick-team-usa-remains-unbeaten-with-convincing-semifinals-win/article_46c4c9ea-fa23-11ee-95fe-6f1a3109208d.html

4-11-24 LIVE HIT (11 P.M.): Youngsters shine for Team USA in dominant quarterfinals win over Japan at Women’s Worlds

Live hit during NEWSChannel 2 at 11 on April 11, 2024, from the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, recapping the Team USA’s quarterfinals win over Japan in the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

After Team USA defeated Japan 10-0 to advance to the semifinals, I provide my analysis from the game, as well as an abbreviated recap of the game (highlights provided during broadcast, but withheld from web posting due to copyright laws).

Post-game interviews from Team USA Coach John Wroblewski, as well as forwards Abbey Murphy, and Lacey Eden for more perspective as the team would move on to play Finland in the semifinals.

Entire segment, and all elements within it, were entirely solo-produced.

4-9-24 SPORTS 11pm: Medal round matchups set after final night of prelims in IIHF Women’s World Championship

My full live in-studio sports segment from NEWSChannel 2 at 11 on April 9, 2024.

It highlights the final night of the preliminary round in the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, N.Y. Tonight is a breakdown of the preliminary round standings entering the final night, it then includes highlights from the three final games of the group stage, and sets the scene for the upcoming medal round match-ups based on the results.

I also recap the final preliminary round game for Team USA the night before, which earned them the top seed in Group A, with interviews from players and coaches following the victory at the Adirondack Bank Center.

With the results of Tuesday’s preliminary round finale, the U.S. learned it would face Japan in the Quarterfinals on Thursday.
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NOTE: I do not own nor claim to own rights to any IIHF game broadcast. They were included using authorized methods of use on-air along with proper courtesy. Video courtesy of: IIHF/TSN/NHL Network

4-9-24 LIVE HIT (5 P.M.): Team USA’s Simms reflects on scoring OT goal to beat rival Canada at IIHF Women’s Worlds

Live hit during the Live at Five Newshour on April 9, 2024, from the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, on the final night of the preliminary round in the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Here I highlight Team USA discussing its thrilling overtime win over rival Canada the night before to close out their group stage slate unbeaten.

The featured interview is with Kirsten Simms, the overtime hero, discussing the emotions of netting her first career IIHF Women’s World Championship goal in a big moment.

Earning the top seed in Group A, the U.S. awaited its opponent based on the results of the upcoming evening, a scenario I discuss following my story on Team USA. Segment, and all elements within it, were entirely solo-produced by me.

4-8-24 Sports 11pm: Team USA tops Canada in OT thriller to finish atop Group A entering medal round at IIHF Women’s World Championship

My full live in-studio sports segment from NEWSChannel 2 at 11 on April 8, 2024. It highlights the United States national women’s hockey team’s thrilling 1-0 overtime win over rival Canada to close out the preliminary round, and earn the top seed in Group A entering the medal round at the 2024 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Utica, N.Y.

Includes post-game reactions from coaches and players I interviewed following the victory at the Adirondack Bank Center. Also featured are additional highlights of two other games from the day’s action at the IIHF Women’s Worlds.

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