Straker is fire on ice for P.R.P.C. Prowlers

As seen in The Pataskala Standard
Wednesday, January 9, 2008

JOSH HACHAT

NEWARK -- Ryan Straker celebrated like he had scored the game-winning goal.

By all indications, it appeared to be as well.

The Licking Heights senior scored on an impressive goal to put the P.R.P.C. Prowlers up 2-1 in last Thursday's game against the Newark Generals with 3:27 remaining.

But Straker couldn't celebrate for long. The Generals scored with 28 seconds left to garner a 2-2 tie in a physical and entertaining game at the Lou and Gib Reese Ice Arena.

"I thought it was a game-winner," Straker said. "I thought it was going to be it, and I was pretty happy about that one."

Straker had a right to be happy considering how he scored. He took the puck from near his own goal all the way down the ice, skated across the middle of the rink and fired a shot past Generals' goalkeeper Andrew Clark.

"I like to see how far I can take it and hopefully get something good out of it," Straker said.

Straker was one of a number that played well for the Prowlers (14-5-3, 11-3-3 Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League), who controlled most of the first two periods in the third meeting with the Generals.

They maintained their five-point lead against the Generals and got an early goal from Adam McGrath midway through the first period.

Newark had several chances early but couldn't convert opportunities in front of the goal. The Prowlers controlled the second period, but they couldn't score with a two-man advantage late in the period.

The Generals had their own 5-on-3 opportunity early in the third but could only manage one shot on the power play.

"We did a good job of clearing out our zone," Prowlers coach Jay C. Catherine said. "In the third period, (the Generals) really picked it up. We had some breakdowns, and it turned into goals."

"We knew they were going to be ready to play."

The Generals scored with 4:08 remaining before Straker's goal, which appeared to be enough to give the Prowlers their second straight win against the Generals.

P.R.P.C. beat Newark 2-1 on Dec. 16.

"We know it's going to be a game like this with Newark," Catherine said. "It's the toughest place to play in our league. Their fan support is great, and it can be intimidating.

"But I'm proud of our performance. Coming off the break, I'm pretty proud how we played against one of the top teams in the league. The series is still even with one more to go."

The Generals finished with 28 shots, and Clark had 24 saves. Jeremiah Holland finished with 26 saves for P.R.P.C., which had 26 shots.

Straker said he was impressed with how the team has come together, even if it has to work on finishing off top opponents.

Still, he feels good about where the team is heading into the stretch run of the year.

"We played hard, but we just have to fight harder to get that extra goal," Straker said. "We're stepping up our game going into the end of the season."

The teams' final meeting is Feb. 3 at Chiller Easton.