Game Recap

PRPC away versus the Athens Bobcats
@ Bird Arena (Athens, Ohio)
Saturday, February 7, 2004

PRPC CLINCHES 1ST PLACE IN THE GCHSCHL
PRPC travelled to Athens, Ohio on Saturday (2/7/2004) to face off in their 4th and final meeting with the Athens Bobcats. The Prowlers brought with them a decisive 3-0 lead in the series which included their first ever win in Athens (1/10/2004). As always, the Prowlers knew that Bird Arena is always a tough barn to play in.

Senior goaltender Zach Ahern got the start for PRPC coming off of a 1-0 shutout against this same Athens squad just 6 days earlier (2/1/2004). Edwin Renz was between the pipes for Athens to start the contest instead of Alex Hubbard, who gave up the lone goal in the last match between these two clubs. Senior Captain T.J. Hess scored the game's first goal (assisted by his brother, Freshman Nick Hess) on a play coming off of a neutral zone faceoff. The Prowlers then connected again at 5:09 on a rebound goal by Junior Bryan Kay (assisted by Juniors Eric Willard and Mike Miller) to give PRPC a 2-0 lead.

That lead would carry through the second period, which saw Hubbard replace Renz to start the period. Both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the second period with no goals nor penalties (there were only 2 penalties assessed the entire game). Athens then got back into the game at 9:49 of the third period on an unassisted goal by Brian Carlson. The Bobcats pulled Hubbard with 1:25 remaining in the period after calling a timeout and with a faceoff deep in the Prowler's end to try and bring the game even, but Kay was able to connect on the empty net to get his second goal of the game and give PRPC a 3-1 lead. Athens was able to get a late goal by Carlson with just 15 seconds remaining, but it was again too little, too late as PRPC walked away with just it's second ever victory in Athens, a 4-0 series sweep, and clinching first place in the GCHSCHL regular season, guaranteeing a first round bye in the GCHSCHL "Blue Jackets Cup".

The Prowler's now finish off a busy weekend with their third game in three nights when they face the second place Westerville Warcats (14-5-1, 29 points) on Sunday (2/8/2004) at 5:40 PM at the Chiller at Easton. PRPC will then round out the regular season on Senior Night against Hilliard/Southwest (1-16-2, 4 points) at 7:40 PM on Friday, February 13th at the CoreComm Ice Haus before beginning defense of their GCHSCHL "Blue Jackets Cup" (February 19th-22nd).