Buffalo, NY (AP)

Congratulations, new Zoo babies born during the 2007-08 season! 

The Shamrocks Polar Bears faced off against their new rival Shamrocks Anacondas in test of expansion teams in the Shamrocks Hockey League™ (SHL). The two new teams named with assistance and the kind suggestions of Donna Fenandes president and chief executive officer of the Zoological Society of Buffalo, have provided opportunity to participate for nearly 30 new players, coaches and families.

The two squads boasted glorious sartorial splendor; the Polar bears in their exquisite new independent and proud bear logo and jerseys of "Arctic Hudson's Crossing Sky Blue" while the Anacondas strutted the icy runway in near-haute couture style with custom sweaters of "Amazonian Rainforest Teal" and snake serpentined clover logo. Versace, skate aside!

The expansion teams join the Shamrocks River Otters, Shamrocks Gorillas, Shamrocks Golden Seals (artistic hockey license) and defending champion Shamrocks Hyenas in 7 year old developmental circuit featuring players --both girls and boys-- ages 6 through 9.  Spectacular play has the new teams in contention for the venerable Townsend Cup, the 92 year old sterling silver trophy emblematic of league supremacy donated to the league by program benefactors, the Stephen C. Townsend, Esq. family in 2001. The names of cup winners are engraved for posterity (you need to see it to believe it).

Standings are tight as the battle for playoff positioning intensifies with playdowns and championship games scheduled for mid- March.

These Zoo babies are growing, happy, extremely well-adjusted to their habitat and having a blast interacting in the wild world of around them.