2003-2004 PRPC ICE PROWLERS INFO

2003-2004 BLUE JACKET CUP CHAMPIONS!
PRPC Hockey continued their success of 2002-2003 and their first GCHSCHL Blue Jacket's Cup right into the 2003-2004 season. Despite the departure of assistant coach Andy Loughnane, the graduation of 7 seniors (including captain/forward Jimmy Betts who joined the Junior B Columbus Stars, and 4 defensmen) and the departure of leading scorer, junior forward Ryan Markell, to the Junior B Columbus Stars, the team picked up right where it left off.

The Prowlers welcomed into camp forward Bryan Kay (3), a junior transfer in from Michigan. Teamed with senior captain T.J. Hess (41), Kay and the Prowlers found themselves in first place in the league from the first game of the season behind this one-two offensive punch and solid goaltending from the tandem of sophomore Jesse Betts (35) and senior transfer Zach Ahern (33).

The mid season acquisition of freshmen defensmen Brian Rossi (7) and Cody Berkebile (67) helped to bolster the Prowlers blueline along with seniors Josh Martyn (55) and Mike Westling (28), junior Matt Schuh (17), sophomore Jeff Laird (26) and freshman Loren Chrisman (2).

The team was 7-0 to start the season before suffering an 18 round overtime shootout loss to Perrysburg High School (11/28/2003) in a non-league game durring the St. Charles Thanksgiving Tournament. After returning from the tournament 1-2-1, the Prowlers suffered their first league loss in a close game against Westerville (12/05/2003). That would be the first of only 3 league losses on the season for the Prowlers.

As the season wound down, the Prowlers found themselves atop of the standings at the end of the regular season for the first time in their six year history with a 20-3-1 league record (41 points). With that, they began the GCHSCHL Blue Jackets Cup tournament as not only the defending Cup champs, but also as the tournament's number one seed.

After a first round bye, the second round saw a goaltending dual between Betts and Olentangy's John Snyder as the Prowlers defeated the Olentangy Braves (4th, 14-10-0, 28 PTS) in overtime 2-1 (02/20/2004). PRPC then faced off with the Northeast Storm (3rd, 14-9-1, 29 PTS) in another thight battle. The Prowlers came out victorious 4-3 (02/21/2004)and advanced to the finals for the second straight year.

Olentangy battled it's way back through the looser's bracket for a 2nd round rematch in the Cup Finals. This time it was a different story from that games low score. A complete barn burner as the teams were tied at 6-6 when Bryan Kay scored the game winner with 15.1 seconds remaining on the clock to give the Prowlers their 2nd consecutive GCHSCHL Blue Jacket's Cup (02/22/2004).

It was a bittersweet end for PRPC seniors T.J. Hess (41) and Josh Martyn (55) who were on last year's championship team, as well as for seniors Matt Macciomei (19), Mike Westling (28) and goaltender Zach Ahern (33) who were all in their first season with the Prowlers.

The post game festivities saw Junior forward Bryan Kay (3) accept the team MVP Award for PRPC. After the players were awarded their individual trophies, team captains Hess, Martyn and alternate captain/forward Mike Miller (18) accepted the league championship trophy and the Blue Jackets Cup.

The entire team then had the opportunity to participate in the traditional championship lap around the rink with the Cup. In addition to those already mentioned, forwards, Juniors Eric Weinhold(8), Eric Willard(9), Anthony Kantor(10), Sophomores Nick Miller(22) and Ben French(77), and Freshman Nick Hess(23); defensemen, Junior Matt Schuh(17), and Freshmen Brian Rossi(7) and Loren Chrisman(2) all had their chance to skate with the Cup. They were joined on the ice by injured defensemen, sophomore Jeff Laird(26) and freshman Cody Berkebile(67), who also had their chance to hold the Cup over their heads.

It was the end of an accomplished career for senior captain T.J. Hess who graduated as the all-time leader for PRPC in games played (145), assists (106) and points (187) and finished with a GCHSCHL regular season league championship and two GCHSCHL Blue Jacket's Cup Championships.

PRPC IN THE NEWS
After winning winning their first GCHSCHL Blue Jacket's Cup, the PRPC Ice Prowlers found themselves the subject of articles in the local news publications. We have provided access to articles from the local media to see what was being said about the 2003-2004 GCHSCHL Blue Jacket's Cup Champs in the community.

• Ice Prowlers rule the rink
  as seen in the Southeast Messenger 4/19/2004
• PRPC holds off Olentangy to earn club Blue Jackets Cup
  as seen in ThisWeek News 2/25/2004
• Prowlers are Big Fish in Club Hockey Wars
  as seen in Suburban News Publications 1/28/2004
• Balanced Scoring, Strong Goaltending Fuel PRPC
  as seen in ThisWeek News 12/25/2003
• Ice Prowlers off to unbeaten start
  as seen in ThisWeek News 11/20/2003
• League undergoes changes in front office, on benches
  as seen in ThisWeek News 11/20/2003

2003-2004 GCHSCHL Standings End of Regular Season (as of 2/15/2004):
TEAM	GP	W	L	T	PTS	Vs.
PRPC	24 (28)	20 (21)	3 (5)	1 (2)	41	------
Westerville	24	16	5	3	35	2-1-1
Northeast	24	14	9	1	29	3-1-0
Olentangy	24	14	10	0	28	3-1-0
Athens	24	10	12	2	22	4-0-0
Newark	24	2	19	3	7	4-0-0
Hilliard	24	3	21	0	6	4-0-0
* Parenthesis () include non-league games.

CUP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP
They say in sports that it is hard to win a championship, but even harder to defend it. PRPC was able to do just that. With 15.1 seconds remaining on the clock, Junior Bryan Kay scored the game winner to give the PRPC Prowlers their second GCHSCHL Blue Jackets Cup in two years.
To read the full article, click here.

PRPC HIGH SCHOOLS RECOGNIZE PLAYERS
The PRPC member high schools honored the players from the 2004 GCHSCHL Blue Jackets Cup Championship team. Each school had a presentation with the players and had the GCHSCHL Blue Jackets Cup on display for one week in the school.
Click here for more info...

END OF SEASON PARTY AT GAMEWORKS
This year's end of the season party was again be held at Gameworks at the Easton Town Center on Sunday, March 7, 2004. The players and their families enjoyed good food and games. Each player was recognized for their success and contributions this season, and Senior Captain T.J. Hess was recognized for graduating as the all-time leader for PRPC in games played (145), assists (106) and points (187). The Blue Jackets Cup was also on hand for players and families to get their picture taken with.

PRPC RECOGNIZED AT THE BLUE JACKETS GAME
PRPC Hockey was recognized at the Monday, March 8th Columbus Blue Jacket's Game versus the Carolina Hurricane, for their 2004 GCHSCHL Blue Jackets Cup Championship. The Blue Jackets lost the game 4-1, but the Prowlers enjoyed their time as guests of the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The team appeared on the Nationwide Arena jumbotron with the Cup durring a stoppage of play and were recognized by the PA Announcer for their accomplishment of winning back-to-back Blue Jacket Cups. The players were also joined by Blue Jacket's defensman Darrel Scoville who took the opportunity to talk to the Prowler players and take photos with the PRPC players and families.

PRPC AT THE BUCKEYES GAME
PRPC had it's annual outing to see the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks at Value City Arena at The Jerome Schottenstein Center on the Ohio State campus. The game on Saturday, February 14th ended with a 4-3 Buckeye victory. The PRPC players and their families enjoyed watching the top level of NCAA college hockey and the Prowler players had an opportunity to meet some of the OSU players in the locker room after the game.

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.

PRPC Fans get ready for the post season.