PRPC gunning for third straight league title

As seen in ThisWeek News
Thursday, November 18, 2004

FORREST CLARKE
ThisWeek Staff Writer

By David J. Yunker/ThisWeek Olentangy's Sean Wallace blocks the puck as Nick Hess of PRCP slides in during their game last Friday at the Chiller North in Lewis Center.

AT A GLANCE: Coach: Marty Laroche, third season Next game: Friday vs. Hilliard/Southwest at Chiller North Key players: Cody Berkebile, Jesse Betts, Loren Chrisman, Nick Hess, Anthony Kantor, Jeff Laird, Mike Miller, Brian Rossi, Matt Schuh, Taylor Walcutt, Eric Weinhold and Eric Willard

The goal for the Pickerington-Reynoldsburg-Pataskala-Canal Winchester Club hockey team is a third consecutive title in the Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League.

Third-year coach Marty Laroche seems to have a knack for getting the most out of his players under pressure. A year ago, the Ice Prowlers won 10 games by one goal, including 7-6 over Olentangy in the final of the Blue Jackets Cup, as they finished 24-5-2 overall. They also defeated Olentangy 2-1 in two overtimes in the tournament and the Northeast Storm 4-3.

Laroche, a center for the Columbus Chill during their last season (1998-99) in the ECHL, said that's way he likes it.

"The tight ones are what you really look forward to as a player and you hope you can carry it forward to the postseason," said Laroche, who entered the season with a 45-10-4 record.

His team will play Newark at the Dublin Chiller on Sunday and compete in the St. Charles tournament Nov. 26-28 at the Chiller North.

"I'd love to win that many close ones again," Laroche said. "When you come up on the good side of those games, it builds character and gets you ready for those types of situations at playoff time."

But with T.J. Hess (34 goals, 36 assists, 70 points) graduated and senior Bryan Kay (37-39-76) moving on to play for the junior B Jackets team, PRPC likely will have to rely on scoring by committee. In a 6-3 victory over Jackson in the opener Oct. 31, six players scored.

"You won't see the same two or three guys making all the goals this year," said Laroche, whose team defeated Olentangy 6-0 last Friday to improve to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the league heading into last Sunday's game against Athens. "We'll have a better mix. It will be interesting to see who steps up as the season goes on."

Depth is a plus. Senior Eric Willard (20-21-41) is the top returning scorer from a team that went 20-3-1 during the regular season, but he'll have plenty of help in sophomore Nick Hess (13-20-33), senior Anthony Kantor (18-8-26), sophomore Brian Rossi (7-10-17) and seniors Eric Weinhold (7-8-15) and Mike Miller (8-6-14).

Hess had three goals in an 8-1 win over the Northeast Storm on Nov. 5 and before last Sunday was tied with junior Taylor Walcutt for the team lead with five goals ahead of sophomore Cody Berkebile (three).

PRPC lost 4-2 to Westerville on Nov. 7.

"Every team is ready for us and we have to be able to match that intensity at the drop of the puck," Laroche said. "We hoped to beat Westerville, but they were the better team. Sometimes you need to sit back and analyze."

The defensive unit is led by junior goalie Jesse Betts, who is starting for the third year in a row under the tutelage of assistant coach Jay C. Catherine. His backup is freshman Miles McGrew, who had 27 saves against Jackson.

A year ago, Betts finished with 325 saves, a save percentage of .876 and a goals-against average of 2.88.

"We have a unique situation where Miles can learn and Jesse has been there and done that for two years. I'm real happy with that aspect of our game," Laroche said.

The rest of the defense will be anchored by senior Matt Schuh, juniors Jeff Laird and Nick Miller, sophomores Loren Chrisman, Rossi and freshmen Brandon Goettel and Zach Wiard. Other freshmen include Tom Newhard, Max Matsanoff, Luke Wilkins and Austin Zurbriggen.