Game Recap

Ice Prowlers home versus the Westerville Warcats
@ the Chiller at Easton
Sunday, November 6th, 2005

PROWLERS 1st REMATCH WITH 2005 GCHSCHL BLUE JACKETS CUP CHAMPS

The start of the 2005-2006 season has not been one of fanfare for the Prowlers. They started the season with a last second goal to defeat Olentangy 1-0 in the season opener last Sunday (10/30/2005). They then lost to the Hilliard/Southwest Wildcats for the first time in 4 seasons on Friday (11/04/2005). After a so-so start, this team needed something to jump start the season. And what could turn this team around and give it focus more than a rematch with their arch rival, the Westerville Warcats.

The last time these two teams saw each other was during the third sudden death overtime of the 2005 GCHSCHL Blue Jackets Cup Final. That game ended with Westerville skating away with what would have been the Prowler's third straight Cup victory. There has always been a rivalry between these two clubs, and that just added to the lore. As the puck dropped in this contest, we found that these two teams picked up right where they left off last February.

Both teams won their first game of the season, but lost their second and brought a 1-1 record into this match. After dominating the league last season, both teams looked mortal to start this one. This game would be a litmus test to see who wanted things more.

Westerville started the scoring when Adam Henderson put the puck past junior Justin Lohrman just under two minutes into the contest. Sean Hundley then added to the Warcats lead when he scored a few minutes later to push the lead to 2-0. The Prowlers finally got on the scoreboard at 7:54 when sophomore Tommy Newhard connected (unassisted) for his team after displaying his typical hard work getting the puck to the net. As the goal was scored, the Prowlers found themselves on the power play when Westerville's Brandon Grim went to the box for roughing. The Warcats took advantage of a misplay by a Prowler defenseman that turned into a short handed breakaway 43 seconds into the Prowler's man advantage and Henderson connected short handed for his second of the game to put the Warcats back up by two. Justin Wendel then converted on a Warcat power play to put the score 4-1 in Westerville's favor.

It looked as though this game was going to be a long night for the Prowlers, having scored only 3 goals in their first two games, the offense had not shown up too much to start the season. With a three goal lead, the Warcats looked to have a hold of this game, but as with any Prowler and Warcat match up, neither team should ever be counted out until the final buzzer. After a big hit in his own end, sophomore Zach Waird hurried the puck up the ice to the Prowler offense and with just 14.2 seconds remaining in the first period, sophomore Luke Wilkins scored (assisted by freshman Brad Noskowiak) to put some life back into the Prowler bench before the first intermission.

The second period saw more of the expected physical play between these two teams. Junior Nick Hess scored on the power play for the Prowlers (assisted by sophomore Austin Zurbriggen) to cut the Warcats lead to just one goal, and looked to tie the game up with 6:20 remaining in the period, before goaltender Billy Sorokas robbed him on the doorstep with a sprawling glove save. The period would end with the Warcats ahead by one, 4-3.

The third period started off with the Prowlers short handed, but quickly found them back on the power play. And they made it count when freshman Adam McGrath scored (assisted by junior alternate captain Brian Rossi) at 11:57 of the period to knott the score up at 4-4. The Prowlers thought they took the lead a minute later when senior alternate captain Taylor Walcutt tipped the puck past Sorokas, but it was ruled that the puck went off of his skate and was disallowed. That wouldn't hold back the Prowlers though when Hess scored on an unassisted wrap around goal with 6:27 remaining and his team on the power play. The Prowler power play was on this night, converting 3 of 6 chances, but it would be a Warcat power play that would decide this game when Hundley scored his second goal of the night to tie the score up at 5-5.

In a game so closely contested, between these two dominant teams, it was fitting that it would end in a tie. Both teams advanced their record to 1W-1L-1T and look forward to their rematch on Friday 11/18/2005 at 7:30PM at the Chiller North. Until then, the Prowlers must focus on a tough schedule as they travel to Athens for their first game of the season against the Bobcats next Friday (11/11/2005) at 8:00 PM at Bird Arena in Athens Ohio. They follow that up back at home in a rematch with the Hilliard/Southwest Wildcats on Sunday (11/13/2005) at 5:40 PM at the Chiller at Easton.