Prowlers continue trying to improve

As seen in ThisWeek News
Thursday, December 29, 2005

FORREST CLARKE
ThisWeek Staff Writer

By Laurie Stevenson/ThisWeek Max Matsanoff of Pickerington-Reynoldsburg-Pataskala-Canal Winchester gets hit in the chest with a stick by Olentangy's Brandon Urhammer on Dec. 18 at the Easton Chiller. The Ice Prowlers lost 4-1.

The last two years were good for the Pickerington-Reynoldsburg-Pataskala-Canal Winchester club hockey team.

Last season, the Ice Prowlers earned their second consecutive regular-season championship in the Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League, going 21-3-0. They then lost 4-3 in three overtimes to Westerville in the final of the Blue Jackets Cup.

But inconsistency has been a problem this season as PRPC is 7-5-2. It will play Olentangy on Jan. 6 at the Chiller North.

"We've had a lot of guys thrown into roles they weren't accustomed to, and when you do that they may play well one night but then struggle the next," coach Marty Laroche said. "What were striving for is to get that consistent effort night in and night out. When we don't show up mentally, it shows on the scoreboard."

After beating Newark 4-2 two days earlier, PRPC lost to Olentangy 4-1 on Dec. 18. Against Newark, Nick Hess scored twice early and Adam McGrath and Taylor Walcutt scored in the third period. Justin Lohrman stopped 12 of 14 shots.

Against Olentangy, however, Cody Berkebile scored. And that goal didn't come until 1 minute, 10 seconds remained.

"It's been a lot different this year. I think some of the success may have gone to our heads," Ben French said. "We never should have lost 4-1. They wanted it more and we just weren't ready. We need to wake up and play to our full potential."

PRPC is struggling to replace five graduates, who accounted for 64 goals and 17 years of starting experience. The chief loss was Anthony Kantor, who was the league's scoring leader (21 goals, 40 assists, 61 points) last year.

"It seems like when things are clicking offensively, we're playing well defensively, too," Laroche said. "And when we're not doing one well, it seems to backfire and everything goes wrong. We're trying to find the right balance."

The Ice Prowlers have done well on the power play. Against Newark, they scored three power-play goals. Hess has scored four of his team-leading 11 goals in power-play situations. Walcutt (eight) is second in scoring, with Berkebile (seven) third.

"It depends who we're playing against, but I like to put in some special units with power plays," Laroche said. "That's usually what gets us going."

PRPC will play Athens on Jan. 8 at the Easton Chiller. Athens won the last meeting 2-1 on Dec. 2, but the teams played to a 3-all tie Nov. 11.

PRPC fell behind 2-0 in that first game before taking a 3-2 lead on goals by Hess, Brad Noskowiak and Walcutt. The Bobcats tied the game in the final 33 seconds.

"It gets frustrating at times, but I do like our team and I believe we're heading in the right direction," Laroche said. "It's just a matter of using those lessons learned and applying them the next time so the same mistakes don't happen again."