Northview Hockey Varsity Blog - Sylvania Ohio

Playing varsity hockey at Northview during the 80’s and into the 90’s meant you were a part of a very proud and successful program, however it was not always a hard program to make Varsity. On most years only 15 to 20 kids would even show up for tryouts. That is no longer the case. With more and more kids in Sylvania growing up and playing hockey the addition of a Junior Varsity program was needed. Now it is not uncommon for 35 or 40 kids to battle for the chance to be a part of the lucky 20 to be on Varsity.

For 3 straight years Cody Booth, Drew Jackson and Shane Molnar had to watch as other players got the call. That left them to be the leaders on the Junior Varsity program. Without complaint all 3 went about their business and worked on improving their games with hopes that they would get the chance to pull on a Varsity uniform and contribute in a Varsity contest.

This year for the annual Thanksgiving Cold Turkey Tournament all 3 seniors got that chance. Not only did they dress, but they played a significant role in helping their Wildcats earn the tournament championship. Cody Booth showed versatility to play both up front on the wing and then at defense. His physical play and big body was especially apparent during a physical match up with Mentor. Drew Jackson improved each game and played some big minutes to help run the clock and preserve each victory in the 3rd period. Shane Molnar, who had watched his brother Brett enjoy so much success, got to taste a little of his own with each win. He even chipped in an assist and some penalty minutes.

Cody, Drew and Shane could have quit on the program and themselves, but they chose to work for their chance to have a special season. So far, so good. Good luck boys and congratulations. Remember, “make the minutes count, don’t count the minutes”.

The Northview Wildcat hockey team improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in league play with a 2-0 win over St. Johns. Carter Bourland scored both goals and Craig Trego stopped all 18 shots he faced for the win.

Northview controlled much of the first period before Bourland gathered a loose puck out of scramble in the corner to beat St. Johns goalie Steve Schmitt for a 1-0 lead. Trego made a huge save on Cam Hauenstein to preserve the lead heading into the intermission.

Northview would be tested hard in the second period as multiple penalties lead to SJJ sending 11 shots at Trego. Trego and the Cats defense lead by seniors Tyler Puhl and Eamonn Reynolds, as well as a great game from Sophomore Jordan Jones, were up to the challenge. Northview went into the 2nd intermission up 1-0.

Northview tightened up their discipline in the 3rd and Bourland scored his second of the game on the power play to give the Cats the win, 2-0. Trego only had to make 3 saves in the final period to preserve his first shutout of the season. Team defense and solid play from all 3 lines help the Cats play their best game of the season.

Northview will travel to the Padua invitational next weekend. They will play perennial state powers St. Eds, Padua and University School. They will also play Lake Catholic in hopes to make it to the championship game.

By DAVE HANNEMAN

STAFF WRITER Findlay Courier

Sylvania Northview scored twice with a man advantage on Findlay High’s hockey team Friday night.

The Wildcats’ advantage in age, size and experience might have had something to do with the 3-1 victory as well.

“I’ve said before, one of our biggest assets will be youth,” said FHS coach Dan St.-Jean. “But something that youth needs is experience and that’s what we’re gaining here.”

Sylvania Northview, with 11 seniors on the roster, remained undefeated (6-0) and improved to 2-0 in the Northwest Hockey Conference. Findlay, with just four seniors in uniform and only one — defenseman Chris Atkins — in the starting lineup, fell to 0-2 in the league, 2-4 overall.

Despite a decided deficit in pounds, years and varsity letters, Findlay battled Northview on even terms for two full periods. A goal by junior Ryan Chance 3:48 into the second period had tied the game 1-1, freshman Max Poe was solid in goal and it appeared the two teams would head into the final period still deadlocked.

Northview got its second power-play goal with just 6.3 seconds left in the period, however, and Mark Hall, who had the assist on the Wildcats’ go-ahead goal, scored unassisted in the third period for a little insurance.

Northview Coach Jim Cooper liked what he saw from his seniors. He also said that despite all of the 12s under the year column on his roster, the Wildcats aren’t that much different from the Trojans.

“We have 11 seniors but we’re actually a little thin. Some of those seniors are kids who never made the varsity roster before,” Cooper said. “We’re still young when it comes to the Northwest Hockey Conference, so we’re hoping to coach them up in a hurry.”

With a 6-0 start, it seems something is working.

“It sure beats the alternative,” Cooper said.

Northview outshot Findlay 20-10. Poe finished with 17 saves, including one to snuff a 3-on-1 break and keep it a 1-1 game late in the second period.

With just seconds left in the period, however, Cy Otto was called for roughing and Northview took advantage.

Hall took the puck up the left side virtually unchallenged, then slid the puck into a crowd in front of the net. Tyler Cook knocked in the go-ahead score, and the Wildcats had the lead for good.

“Poe did a good job, but we can’t afford to give a team like Northview power play opportunities,” St.-Jean said.

Northview also capitalized on a man advantage situation to chalk up its first goal.

With a penalty pending, the Wildcats could afford to pull goalie Craig Trego with 6 minutes left in the first period. Before Findlay could touch the puck, which would have stopped play, Carter Bourland unleashed a shot from the left wing. Poe got a stick on the puck, but it still had enough spunk in it to dribble into the net.

The Trojans would eventually tie it with the aggressive hustle that underscored their overall play. Chance and Tyler Thines broke loose on a 2-on-1 break early in the second period. Thines, Findlay’s leading scorer on the season, slipped a nice pass to Chance past a sprawled defensive player and Chance beat Trego to his stick side. Spencer Lee had an assist on the play as well.

It was the type of play St.-Jean expects to see more of.

“We played hard, and right now that’s all I’m asking them to do, day-by-day and game-by-game,” St.-Jean said.

“We’re fresh, but we’re learning. The energy and the willingness to get better is there.

“I told the guys I’m expecting the same type of energy (tonight against Sylvania Southview). If we play with the same intensity and work on getting better, I think we can surprise some people down the road. I really believe that, and I’m trying to make sure they believe that, too.”

Contact staff writer Dave Hanneman at:

(419) 427-8408

davehanneman@thecourier.com

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