WCHL SLAPSHOT #34 v 4
December 7, 2002
1- ON THE GOAL LINE
2- NEWSROOM
Week 1
Review [article]
Week 6
Review [article]
Week 7 Preview [article]
3- AROUND THE WHEEL
Captains
[article]
Rookies [article]
Breakaway [article]
Welcome back to Slapshot and it is the 34th issue.
I know what you are thinking...where has the Slapshot been? In all honesty,
it has been collecting dust. The last year for me has made it very difficult
to keep up. The original plan was to start for the current season but
it was delayed. Finally, I've written an issue and it's been refreshing.
Since we're behind in season coverage, we'll keep up-to-date on the current
games; however, we'll be backtracking with a review from earlier in the
season.
It is amazing, that with our current season brings
forth our 5th official WCHL season. Five Wheeler's Cups have been awarded.
I've been a part of this league almost since the very beginning and we've
come a long way. Players have developed to being some of the best hockey
players around. Especially since the goalies were introduced to the WCHL.
Consider this we started with 4 teams and now we are wondering about adding
a sixth team. So congrats to the wheelchair hockey league on the 5th season.
We've got a somewhat smaller issue this time
around. I'm a little rusty so I got to work back up to my former faster
pace. We've got Week 1 & 6 game reviews and a glance at our Week 7
match ups. We'll be back in January with more complete coverage. Happy
Holidays to all!
So until next time, I'm on the goal line!
WCHL Slapshot Head Editor
Tom "5 Seasons Later" Martin
[Top]
2002-03 SEASON WEEK 1 RECAP
by Tom Martin
DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Hornets.....1.....0......0......1
Seals.........1.....0......0......1
Our season opener was a defensive struggle resulting
in a 1 to 1 tie. Both goals of this game were scored in the first period,
by two WCHL rookies. Rico Vitelli scored his first season goal ever, giving
the Hornets a one to nothing lead. However, the Hornets' one goal lead
didn't last for long as Seals' rookie Kevin Konfara scored his first season
goal. Defense and goaltenders clamped down on the game and no other goals
were scored during this game. Hornets' rookie goalie Al Omilian stopped
12 of 13 shots on goal. Meanwhile, the 2 Seals goalies, Chris Lemieux
and Ryan Kay, blocked a combined 12 of 13 shots on goal. Through the second
period, team defense was a huge factor in this battle with no goals and
only 4 shots on goal. In the final period, the defenses still dominated
allowing only 8 shots on goal. With a 1 to 1 tie, the Hornets and Seals
tied for first place for only a small time as the Cobras and Wolf Pack
took to the court.
Game Stars
3- HOR, R. Vitelli; 2- SEA, K. Konfara; 1- HOR, A. Omilian
PACK
POUND INTO FIRST
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
W. Pack.....1.....1......2.....4
Cobras.......0.....1......0.....1
The Wolf Pack made a powerful impact early on for the 2002-03
season, by defeating the Cobras comfortably. The Cobras were missing their
Captain and goalie, Gary Bartle, for this game and ended up playing 3
different goalies. In the first period, Wolf Pack's Chuck Mallard scored
the opening goal. James Crawford, a new Wolf Pack acquisition, scored
the Pack's second goal; meanwhile, the Cobras got on the scoreboard with
a Mike Belanger goal. At this point, the Wolf Pack held a one-goal lead
and the Cobras could easily catch up. Until the Wolf Pack's Marty Witberg
and Chuck Mallard scored a goal apiece in the final period ending the
Cobras chance of winning. The Wolf Pack pounded their way into an early
first place lead but it's only week one.
Game Stars
3- WFP, B. Ulewicz; 2- COB, J. Drapinski; 1- WFP, C. Mallard
[Top]
2002-03 SEASON WEEK 6 RECAP
by Tom Martin
SEALS STILL UNDEFEATED
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Seals.........1.....0......1......2
Hornets.....0.....0......0......0
After 5 Weeks of play, the Hornets and the Seals
were the only remaining undefeated teams. Previously in the Week 1 match
up between the Hornets and Seals it resulted in a tie. Now five weeks
later, both teams have shown vast growth and more team chemistry. In the
first period the Seals got a surprising goal with Matt Schwarck shooting
a quick high shot off of a face-off. Hornets' goalie Al Omilian might
have missed that sudden Seals' goal but he did block 8 of 9 shots on goal
in the first period. Ryan Kay, Seals' goalie also had an incredible first
period blocking all 6 shots that he faced for the first period. Period
two was much closely fought than the first period as both teams couldn't
score and only scored a total of 6 shots on goal but no goals. The Seals
had a slim advantage of 1-0 following the two periods of play and the
Hornets only had to score one goal. An easy task for the Hornets considering
they had led the league with 23 points. Not this game, however, as the
Seals amazing defense forced the Hornets into scoring troubles. In third
period, the Seals pulled away from the Hornets when Zeljko Sreckovic scored
the final goal of the game, final score 2-0. Seals goalie Ryan Kay claimed
a shut out blocking all 11 shots he faced. With another victory, the Seals
earned an undisputed first place standing with a 4 standing point lead.
Game Stars
3- SEA, Z. Sreckovic; 2- HOR, J. Deneau; 1- SEA, R. Kay
COBRAS WIN,
IN A BIG WAY
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Cobras.......3.....1......5.....9
W. Pack.....1.....0......0.....1
Coming into Week 6, the Cobras were the only
team without a victory. In Week 5, the Cobras came very close to defeating
the now first place Seals. The Wolf Pack was not having much success either
having only one win against the Cobras in Week 1. The winless Cobras were
ready to win, and they did win in a very convincing manner obliterating
the Wolf Pack. The Wolf Pack put up a nice fight to start the game as
Nick Ireland scored an early goal. That was about all they could muster
as the Cobras went on a frenzy of points. Matt Resetar and Brandon Lesner
each scored 3 goals for the Cobras. Mo Gerhardt, 2 goals and 1 assist,
and Mike Belanger, 1 goal and 2 assists, helped build a large increase
for the Cobras points totals. With a blistering 52 shots on goal, the
Cobras broke a week-old shots on goal record for most shots on goal during
a game. The Cobras were starved for a win and not even the Wolf Pack could
stop them. Convincing the rest of the league the Cobras still have a strong
offensive attack, it just took them awhile. Luckily for the Wolf Pack
they are headed into a bye week and a breather before attempting a comeback.
Game Stars
3- COB, B. Lesner; 2- COB, M. Gerhardt; 1- WFP, N. Ireland
[Top]
2002-03 SEASON WEEK 7 GAME DAY
by T. Martin
Welcome to Week 7 of the 2002-03 WCHL Season.
The Seals are starting to run away with first place with a 4 standing
point lead. Fighting for second place are the Hornets and Outlaws, both
teams need to win 2 games and a Seals loss to gain first place. The Cobras
are trying to make a comeback after a disappointing start of 1-3-1 and
are 6 standing points out of first place. The Wolf Pack will remain in
last place since they won't play during Week 7.
COBRAS (1-3-1) vs. HORNETS (1-1-3)
Last time these two teams met it ended in a 2-2
tie in their Week 2 match up. It's a classic battle between a solid defense
(Hornets) and a sizzling offense (Cobras). Our main event for this game
is Gary Bartle versus Al Omilian. In this corner, we've got the Cobras
goaltender Gary Bartle whose 0.875 save percentage makes him the second
ranked goalie in WCHL. The top ranked goaltender in the league is his
opponent in the blue jersey Al Omilian with an unparalleled 0.908 save
percentage. Look out, Hornets, because in the Cobras last game they fiercely
attacked with 52 shots on goal. However, the Hornets defense stifles an
opponent's offensive attempts, they don't need a perfect defense to be
successful with a brick wall in the crease.
Offensively, the Hornets have several scoring
options with players like Mary Stack, Eric Cornell, and Matt Motzny each
have scored at least a goal this season. You can't forget about the ability
to score and pass by both Rico Vitelli (7 goals, 4 assists) and Jen Deneau
(3 assists), they are huge playmakers. Last 2 games for the Cobras their
total amount of points has doubled. Five Cobras (Mo Gerhardt, Matt Resetar,
Mike Belanger, Brandon Lesner, and Jason Drapinski) have 3 or more points,
which give them 5 consistent scoring threats. The Cobras have made 124
shots on goal; furthermore, that's about 8.27 shots per period. With a
win, the Hornets would be back in the hunt for first place; meanwhile,
the Cobras need a win to salvage their season.
OUTLAWS (2-1-1) vs. SEALS (4-0-1)
Let's go back to the season opener for the defending
champion Outlaws as they met the Seals. After the game was over, the Outlaws
had been dealt their first season opening loss ever as they lost 3-2 to
the Seals. The Seals have gone on to being unbeaten and have a 2 game
lead into first place--the Outlaws wish to return the favor by dealing
the Seals their first loss of the season. The Outlaws have two prominent
scorers in the 2001-02 Best Playing Duo, Jeff Bielecki (6 goals, 4 assists)
and Sheryl Stumbaugh (9 goals). Jamie Porter and Jon Davis have yet to
score a goal, but they both can. Defensively, the Outlaws can rely on
Claire Abraham, Tom Martin, Alex Jones, and Jeff Bielecki especially since
they've shown skillful defense attributes. Dean Olivas, former goalie
for the 0-8-1 Hornets, this season has truly shined in the goalie position
since becoming an Outlaw.
The Seals have shown few flaws. The Seals have
a talented scoring trio of Matt Schwarck (10 goals and 1 assist), Zeljko
Sreckovic (3 goals and 2 assists) and Anthony Nowak (2 goals and 2 assists)
who deliver many shots on goal continually pressuring a defense to make
mistakes. Oh, you must be wondering about their defense, well their entire
team is full of tough defenders. Look back at their games through this
season and you'll see they've won more games by one goal than any other
team. The Seals' Ryan Kay is a very strong goaltender with a goals against
average of 2.14 and a save percentage of 0.853 overall. A closer look
shows that Kay has a higher save percentage in the first (0.917) and third
(0.909) periods. The Seals could remain undefeated building a substantial
first place lead meanwhile the Outlaws can slow down the Seals leaving
them within a win of first place.
[Top]
Several things happen around the league with each passing
month, so let's take you around the wheel of the WCHL! Hey, do you know
of a newsworthy story in the WCHL? Please let us know and it'll be highlighted
here.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
With the off-season trades and new acquisitions, the teams have all changed
dramatically. Like with every new season in the WCHL, the captains are
removed of their position and their team elects a new captain. Marty Witberg
and Gary Bartle remained captains for the Wolf Pack and the Cobras, respectively.
The Hornets' captain is Matt Motzny with their assistant Jen Deneau. Mr.
Motzny has been the Hornets' assistant for 2 prior years; meanwhile, Ms.
Deneau is a first time assistant. Chris Lemieux became the Seals captain
while Matt Schwarck remained the Seals' assistant captain. Finally joining
the captain ranks is Sheryl Stumbaugh as captain for the Outlaws and Jeff
Bielecki as the assistant. Both are new to the captain position. Congratulations
to the new captains. --T. Martin
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ROOKIE REPORT
Rookies! They are everywhere this season each team has one or more rookies.
Josh Kiel of the Cobras has been a backup goalie and on defense so far.
The Outlaws received Jon Davis, he's got a strength for stick handling
and even scored an assist off of steal against Marty Witberg. Speaking
of Mr. Witberg his team the Wolf Pack has 2 rookies, Ryan Klotz and Mike
Frank. Klotz has been somewhat quiet but he reminds me of Joe Crews and
his teammate Frank has a defensive prowess. Kevin Konfara is a blue chip
prospect for the Seals already he's scored a goal and an assist in only
3 games. Finally, the Hornets have the most rookies with 3 of them, Rico
Vitelli, Al Omilian, and Frank Rogers. Rogers is proving to be a tough
defenseman he's got a good coach with Matt Motzny as his captain. Vitelli
is technically a rookie but he's got some WCHL experience this season
so far he's scored 7 goals and 4 assists leading the league in points.
Omilian is the very tough goalie for the Hornets with an incredible 0.908
save percentage. --T. Martin
[Top]
BEN ON A BREAKAWAY
We are always excited when any player makes a good play. Many players
will make several good plays and rarely is it seen or mentioned. During
Week 6 within the Cobras versus Wolf Pack game, and a very exciting play
was made by Wolf Pack's Ben Jones. Suddenly the crowd roared and held
their breath as Ben, the lone Wolf Pack player, zoomed into the Cobras'
defensive zone. Ben snagged the ball at center court and drove it down
to the Cobras' goal. No Cobra was even in the area. Ben was one-on-one
with Cobras' goalie Gary Bartle. As Ben was on the breakaway, he sent
the ball toward the goal. He didn't score a goal but he got the loudest
cheer of the game. Good job, Ben! --T. Martin
[Top]
WCHL
Slapshot trademarked (® or TM) & copyrighted (©) to the Wheelchair
Hockey League (WCHL). The WCHL is a non-profit wheelchair sports organization.
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