Game Recap

2003 Midwest Thanksgiving High School Hockey Classic
@ Chiller in Dublin
Friday, November 28, 2003 though Sunday, November 30, 2003

PRPC HAS A TOUGH WEEKEND...
...BUT FINISHES STRONG
This weekend PRPC participated in the 2003 Midwest Thanksgiving High School Hockey Classic. They finished the tournament with a 1-3 record, but that is not representative of their efforts.

On Friday, the Ice Prowlers suffered a tough shootout loss to Perrysburg High School after a 3-3 tie in regulation. PRPC came back after being down 3-0 midway through the second period. The Prowlers started the game apprehensive in the first, but gained their confidence back by scoring 2 goals just 36 seconds appart in the second, and 52 seconds after Perrysburg's 3rd goal (goals by Sophomore Nick Miller, assisted by Junior Eric Willard and a goal by Junior Bryan Kay, assisted by Senior Captain T.J. Hess and Junior Eric Weinhold). Miller then scored the game tying goal with 11:35 left in the third period (assisted by Freshman defensman Brian Rossi and Junior Defensman Matt Schuh) to knot things up at three.

After 45 minutes of regulation hockey, the teams remained tied at 3-3 and due to the tournament rules, the game had to be decided by a shootout. After 18 players each from both teams had taken their shots, Willard put the puck what appeared to be behind goaltender Evan VonEwegen and off of the back crossbar, but tho official waved off the goal saying that it went off of the outside crossbar. After a dispute from Willard and the PRPC bench, the Yellow Jacket's Jason Truay scored on Sophomore goaltender Jesse Betts to score what was the game winner and end the marathon shootout.

After digesting the bad taste of Friday night's game, the Prowlers went back at it Saturday morning against Dublin-Scioto High School. This time, the team showed up to play. The score was 0-0 after the first period, with Senior goaltender Zack Ahern playing strong for PRPC. The second period saw PRPC get on the board first with a goal from Willard (assisted by Nick Miller), but the fighting Irish responded late in the period to tie things up at 1-1 after two periods of play.

After the intermission, Dublin scored two quick goals to go ahead 3-1, but PRPC responded with a goal by Junior Anthony Kantor (assisted by Freshman Nick Hess) to pull the team within one. Dublin would score again with four minutes left, but PRPC would continue to battle dispite a lackluster effort from half of their bench. Kay continued to play strong for the Prowlers and netted a goal (assisted by T.J. Hess) with 43 seconds remaining to again pull within one, but it would be too little too late as Dublin-Scioto would hold onto the 4-3 victory and PRPC's first regulation loss of the season.

Saturday night's game against Notre Dame Cathedral Latin was rock bottom for the Prowlers. After a questionable shootout loss to Perrysburg on Friday, and a tough loss to Dublin-Scioto that same morning, the PRPC players were a bit deflated after comining into the tournament 7-0 on the season. There was a lot of tension on the bench and it showed in the play on the ice. A goal by Kay was disallowed early in the first which would have tied the score 1-1, which added to the team's frustration. Betts was pulled after giving up 3 goals in the first period and clearly showing his frustration at the team's effort. The second period saw Ahern take his place between the pipes, but with no better result as the period would end 6-1 with Nick Hess getting the only goal for PRPC (assisted by Kantor and Kay).

After a brief closed door team meeting between periods, the Prowlers responded with intensity in the third period. PRPC outplayed the Lions in every facet of the third period. The team got goals by Weinhold (assited by Sophomore defensman Jeff Laird and T.J. Hess) and by T.J. Hess (assisted by Willard and Rossi). The score would end 6-3, but the third period showed a major turnaaround for the PRPC club.

Sunday was the final game in the tournament for PRPC. After a poor showing in Saturday night's game, the team seemed to have righted the ship for their match against Gilmour Academy. PRPC got goals from Kay (1G,2A), Kantor (1G) T.J. Hess (2G,1A) and Junior Mike Miller (2G) (additional assists by Willard, Nick Miller, Sophomore Ben French, Rossi and Nick Hess) as they marched on to a 6-1 routing of the Lancers. Golatenders Ahern and Betts split the game for PRPC, with Ahern getting the start, win and giving up the lone goal in the game, while Betts played a perfect period and a half not allowing any goals on 12 shots.

PRPC now continues GCHSCHL league play with a rematch with Westerville, Friday (12/5/2003) at 7:40PM at the CoreComm Ice Haus, then Sunday (12/7/2003) at 6:10PM at the CoreComm Ice Haus, in a rematch from last Sunday's 2-1 victory over the Northeast Storm.

2003 MIDWEST THANKSGIVING HOCKEY CLASSIC
(ST. CHARLES TOURNAMENT) PHOTOS
Online viewing and purchasing of professional tournament photos are available through MB Photography (starting Tuesday, December 2nd).

Follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the website www.mbphotography.org.
Step 2: Click on "Online Ordering".
Step 3: Click on your event - "The St. Charles Tournament".
Step 4: Enter your password - "chiller0123".

All pictures ordered online will be mailed within 7 business days. Credit cards will not be charged until the mailing date.

Please call MB Photography studios with any questions at 614-932-9447.