Prowlers end season with state runner-up finish

As seen in Pataskala Standard
Thursday, March 12, 2009

Kurt Snyder

COLUMBUS --It just made sense for the PRPC Prowlers to have to meet the Newark Generals again.

The Prowlers, who fell to the Generals in a fight for both the Greater Columbus High School Club Hockey League regular-season and tournament titles, made a run all the way to the final of the Buckeye Cup state tournament, and the Generals were right there waiting for them.

"When you have 12 top teams in the state for club hockey and it comes down to two Columbus teams, it is pretty impressive," PRPC coach Joe Tonello said. "It makes a statement for club hockey. It makes people in Newark and with PRPC feel good. We came out on top and played for the state championship just like we did for the league championship."

Unfortunately, for the third time, Newark got the best of the Prowlers in the final, 4-1. The Generals scored three first-period goals and held on for the victory despite a fierce offensive attack from the Prowlers.

The Prowlers' only goal was scored late by Watkins Memorial sophomore Jake Miller, but the Prowlers also hit the post four times. Two of the Generals' goals were deflected in off PRPC players.

"Do they have our number? They do," Tonello said. "There is never a dull moment. The league championship was intense, and the state finals was even more intense. The bounces went all Newark's way on Sunday afternoon. A goal is a goal in anybody's book."

The Prowlers' previous best finish in the state tournament was a semifinal trip in 2007. The Prowlers beat Northern Kentucky, 14-2, and Medina, 2-1, and tied Rocky River, 2-2, in the tournament.

Miller edged senior standout Adam McGrath for the team lead in goals with 25, and he had 16 assists. His plus-minus of 26 was second-best to McGrath's 28. Without McGrath to take the pressure off next year, Tonello said Miller will have to continue to refine his game.

"Next year, he will see the respect that Adam did," Tonello said. "He did the damage. He was the guy nobody paid attention to, so to speak, and it left him to do what he wanted.

"(McGrath) is an unbelievable athlete. He is irreplaceable, but will Jake fill the void? Absolutely. He will continue where he left off, and he will put up the numbers."

Licking Heights sophomore defenseman Sean Straker had one of his six assists in the final. His contribution was at the defensive end of the ice, where he was second on the team in hits with 91 to Miller's 93.

Straker will be asked to help replace two graduating defensemen.

"He is a great young hockey player," Tonello said. "I am looking forward to him just dominating the blue line again next year. He is the quarterback on the blue line and will take the lead just as our two seniors did this year."

Pataskala resident Erik Heinmiller, who is a sophomore at Bishop Hartley, allowed 32 goals in 519 minutes of action in 12 games for the Prowlers between the pipes.

Fellow Pataskala resident Josh Roslan, who is a senior at Newark Catholic, played for the Generals and recorded a goal in the Generals' overtime semifinal victory against Lakota West.

Kurt Snyder can be reached at (740) 328-8556 or ksnyder@nncogannett.com.