WCHL SLAPSHOT #35 v 4
February 15, 2003
2- NEWSROOM
Week 2
Re
Week 9
Re
Week 10
Re
Week 11
Re
3- AROUND THE WHEEL
Broken
Record [article]
Cobras' Gerhardt [article]
Silent Seals [article]
4- FACE-OFF INTERVIEWS
Featuring:
Mo Gerhardt [article]
5-
PRACTICE SESSION
Topic: Wasting Time [article]
Welcome
to the Slapshot #35!
Our 2002-03
WCHL Season is heading into the final four games. The season is 15 weeks
long, with each team playing 12 games. It’s our longest season ever. Three
teams have all clinched a spot in the 2003 Wheeler’s Cup playoffs. All
our former Wheeler’s Cup champions have made it into this year’s playoffs;
they are the Seals, Outlaws and Hornets. Only one spot remains for either
the Cobras or Wolf Pack. There are 3 games remaining for them to fight
for a chance in the playoffs. The 2003 Wheeler’s Cup Playoffs are scheduled
to start in April.
Time to
beg... We are currently looking for another venue to play hockey. We are
in need of more dates because our season is now longer and could become
even longer yet with the possible addition of a sixth team. Any ideas
would be helpful. Please note that we can’t play everywhere, and may not
be able to play at certain spots. Our primary considerations are location,
gym size, and accessibility. We are also in need of volunteers at games.
Right now, we urgently need more assistance at the scorer’s table that
includes: stat keepers, line judges, goal judges, and taking shots on
goal. Players can fulfill these positions; they are all fairly easy. As
always we need a few brave souls to became referees. My goal is have “crews”
take shifts for different dates or games. Parents can be referees, but
they CANNOT referee their kid’s games. Of course, I can use more players,
parents, or other people to submit stuff for Slapshot. The more articles
I get the more newsletters we can have.
Reading delights... This issue we’ve got
a bunch of season reviews (Week 2, 9, 10 and 11), player interview, coaching
tips, and more. Mo Gerhardt is our victim rather our guest for the returning
player interview. In the various stories Around the Wheel, we discuss
a broken record, the Cobras, and the Seals. Practice Session also returns
with a forgotten hockey skill, wasting time. Enjoy this fantastic issue,
and, as always, WE NEED ARTICLES!!!!!!
So until next time, I'm on the goal line!
WCHL Slapshot Head Editor
Tom "Time Waster" Martin
[Top]
2002-03 SEASON WEEK 2 RECAP
by Tom Martin
HORNETS’ DRAW STREAK
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Cobras......0.....2......0......2
Hornets.....1.....1......0......2
The Hornets’ Week
1 game was a hard fought defensive battle resulting in a 1-1 tie with
the Seals. With the tie, the Hornets remain winless since the 2000-01
Season. In Week 1, the Cobras suffered a solid 4-1 defeat by the Wolf
Pack; furthermore, the Cobras were missing two players including their
star goalie, Gary Bartle and new Cobra, Matt Resetar. For their Week 2
match up, the Hornets aim to break their long winless streak while the
Cobras look to win with a full roster. Mary Stack, Hornets, scored the
first goal of the game (assisted by Matt Motzny and Rico Vitelli) giving
her team an early 1-0 lead. With the first period, the Cobras were unable
to score a goal despite totaling 8 shots on goal. Period two, the Cobras
scored, twice. Matt Resetar and Mo Gerhardt scored an unassisted goal
each providing the Cobras’ a lead of 2-1. Before the end of the second
period, Matt Motzny notched a shorthanded goal, tying the score up at
2-2. After a scoreless third period, the score remained the same; therefore,
ending the game with a tie. The Hornets have an unusual streak of two
straight ties, and remain winless while the Cobras are still looking for
their first win.
Game Stars
3- M. Motzny, HOR; 2- G. Bartle, COB; 1- A. Omilian,
HOR
OUTLAWS'
OPENING OUST
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Seals.........2.....0......1.....3
Outlaws.....0.....2......0.....2
Being on a bye week for Week 1, the defending
Wheeler's Cup champions, Outlaws, at last began their 2002-03 Season.
The Seals were looking for their first win as they tied the Hornets in
Week 1. Dean Olivas, the Outlaws goalie, received a fierce welcome from
the Seals as they made 8 scoring attempts in the first period. Two of
those eight attempts resulted in Seals' goals scored by Matt Schwarck.
Meanwhile Seals goalie Ryan Kay only faced 2 Outlaws' shots on goal. Heading
into the second period the Seals held a commanding 2-0 lead. Defensively,
the Outlaws woke up for the second period allowing only 1 shot on goal.
With their defense back into the game, the Outlaws scored 2 goals (Sheryl
Stumbaugh assisted by Jeff Bielecki and Bielecki scored the other goal)
which tied up the score. The third period was a tough one, as both teams
became extra aggressive on offense with 6 shots on goal for the Outlaws
and 7 for the Seals. It was almost two ties in one day of hockey. It came
down to near the end of the game, as Matt Schwarck of the Seals scored
a game winning goal and a hat trick. With a victory, the Seals took a
one-point lead into first place.
Game Stars
3- D. Olivas, OUT; 2- R. Kay, SEA; 1- M. Schwarck, SEA
[Top]
2002-03 SEASON WEEK 9 RECAP
by Tom Martin
SEALS BACK ON TRACK
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Seals.........1.....2......1......4
W. Pack.....1.....1......0......2
Week 7 was the last game the Seals had played and their undefeated
streak ended by an Outlaws' win. On the other side, the Wolf Pack who
were hoping to turn around their current disappointing season. The teams
constructed an even first period as both teams scored a goal and both
only made 6 shots on goal. James Crawford scored the Wolf Pack's opening
goal with a double assist from Nick Ireland and Chuck Mallard. Anthony
Nowak scored first for the Seals with help from Matt Schwarck. Crawford
stuck again for the Wolf Pack with another goal assisted by Mallard. Zeljko
Sreckovic and Matt Schwarck scored a goal each giving them a one-goal
lead. At the end of the second period, the Seals slowly pulled away from
the Wolf Pack as they now clung to a lead of 3-2. Finally, Seals' captain
Chris Lemieux finished the game with a goal. With the win, the Seals once
again grabbed first place with a point lead.
Game Stars
3- J. Crawford, WFP; 2- N. Ireland, WFP; 1- C. Lemieux, SEA
AN EVEN FEUD
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Hornets.......1.....1......0......2
Outlaws.......2.....0......0.....2
The Outlaws haven't lost a game since Week 1. The Hornets have only lost
once in Week 6. The Hornets and Outlaws played against each other in Week
4 where they tied 2-2. Both teams are in the race for first place and
chasing the Seals. Welcome back to the most even feud in the current WCHL
season--maybe in WCHL history. Neither team really holds a strong advantage
over the other. Rico Vitelli and the Hornets struck first as they scored
early in the first period. Not to be outdone the Outlaws turned around
and scored two goals (both from Jeff Bielecki) including a power play
goal. In the second period, Matt Motzny scored the final goal of the game
assisted by Rico Vitelli. The goalies took over the game as they both
went without allowing a goal for the rest of the game. Claire Abraham
of the Outlaws saved 18 of 20 shots on goal in the meantime Al Omilian,
Hornets, saved 21 of 23 shots on goal. Another game between these two
rivals as it ends in another surprising 2-2 tie.
Game Stars
3- A. Omilian, HOR; 2- J. Bielecki, OUT; 1- C. Abraham, OUT
[Top]
2002-03 SEASON WEEK 10 RECAP
by T. Martin
ROUND THREE, SEALS' WIN
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Seals.........2.....3......0......5
Hornets.....0.....2......1......3
It was round three for the Hornets and Seals
of their season match ups. The Hornets and Seals met twice before. Their
first meeting was in Week 1 and that resulted in a 1-1 tie. Second time
around in Week 6, the Seals shut out the Hornets 2-0. Week 10 was their
third and final match up. The score was 2-0, Seals, as Matt Schwarck scored
twice in the first period. The Hornets haven't scored against the Seals
in 5 periods, after their scoreless first period their streak continued.
That was until the second period as the Hornets finally broke their drought
with 2 Rico Vitelli goals. However, the Seals tacked on three additional
goals from Matt Schwarck, Zeljko Sreckovic and Anthony Nowak. Vitelli
and the Hornets had one more goal left, but it wasn't enough as the Seals
won 5-3. The Seals claimed two victories and a tie against the Hornets
throughout the season. By the way, with this victory the Seals have clinched
a spot in the 2003 Wheeler's Cup playoffs.
Game Stars
3- K. Konfara, SEA; 2- R. Vitelli, HOR; 1- M. Schwarck, SEA
OFFENSIVE
EXPLOSION
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Cobras.......2.....3......1......6
W. Pack......2.....1.....1......4
Winless since Week 1, the Wolf Pack need to win games it's been a frustrating
season for them. Equally frustrated are the Cobras who have lost two straight
since their first and only season victory in Week 6. Two players made
their anticipated returns from surgery and recovery, Wolf Pack's Marty
Witberg and Cobras' Mo Gerhardt. It was an offensive explosion in this
Week 10 game. Mike Belanger scored the Cobras' opening goal of the game.
James Crawford and Marty Witberg followed the Cobras lead by scoring a
goal each for the Pack. Matt Resetar tied up the score with another Cobra
goal, ending the first period in a 2-2 tie. Resetar, Jason Drapinski,
and Mike Belanger all scored another goal for the Cobras now with a substantial
lead of 5-3. Wolf Pack got their score up to 3 thanks to a Chuck Mallard
goal. Both teams score one more goal in the third period. For the Cobras
Gerhardt scored followed by Mallard with one for the Wolf Pack. The Cobras
won 6-4, in this offensive explosion.
Game Stars
3- G. Bartle, COB; 2- C. Mallard, WFP; 1- M. Resetar, COB
[Top]
2002-03 SEASON WEEK 11 RECAP
by T. Martin
TOO MANY TWOS
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Cobras.......0.....2......0......2
Hornets......2.....0......0......2
The number two was a recurring theme in this
Week Eleven game between the Cobras and Hornets. After claiming a victory
in Week 10, the Cobras were seeking two straight wins. The Hornets lost
in Week 10, so they wanted to avoid two straight losses. The Hornets started
scoring in the first period with two Rico Vitelli goals; meanwhile, the
Cobras were kept scoreless. Scoreless, thanks in part to the Hornets'
rookie phenom goalie Al Omilian. Speaking of Mr. Omilian, he had another
phenomenal performance of 22 shots faced and making 20 saves allowing
only 2 goals. The Cobras had a first time goalie in Brandon Lesner, who
has only played one previous period in goal. Perhaps it was a slow start,
for after Lesner allowed those two goals, the Hornets were kept out of
the net for the remaining two periods. Two Cobras goals (from Mo Gerhardt
and Mike Belanger) were scored in the second period. Both teams went scoreless
in the third period meaning only two periods had any goals scored. The
game ended in a 2-2 tie. The Cobras scored two goals and two assists giving
them a two game undefeated streak. The Hornets have tied the Cobras twice
with the same score, another two for the Hornets was the fact they tied
two teams twice with the same 2-2 score.
Game Stars
3- B. Lesner, COB; 2- J. Drapinski, COB; 1-A. Omilian, HOR
ESCAPING
WITH A WIN
TEAM......1st...2nd...3rd....F
=====================
Outlaws.......2.....1......0.....3
Seals...........0.....1......1.....2
It's the final regular season match up between
the Seals and Outlaws. Each team holds one victory over the other. The
Seals are having a terrific season; they've only lost once to the Outlaws.
The Outlaws have yet to lose since their first game of the season that
loss was to the Seals. So, these teams have some rivalry built up. Every
game between these two teams has been heated classics, ending with only
a one-goal difference. In Week 2 the Seals won with a score of 3-2 and
in Week 7 the Outlaws won 4-3. Period one belonged to the Outlaws as they
scored two goals, from Sheryl Stumbaugh and Jon Davis both assisted by
Jeff Bielecki, among their only three Outlaws scoring attempts. The Seals
made 5 shots on goal giving Jamie Porter (first time as goalie this season)
a workout. Period two the Seals scored a goal, from Anthony Nowak (assisted
by Matt Schwarck), the Outlaws didn't allow the Seals to tie up the score
when Jeff Bielecki scored a goal. Three different Outlaws scored their
three goals. The Outlaws led by 2 goals heading into the third and final
period. The Outlaws' comfortable lead didn't last long as Zeljko Sreckovic
scored a goal for the Seals. The game became a desperate fight between
top strong offensive teams. After the final whistle, the Outlaws barely
escaped with a one-goal lead for the win.
Game Stars
3- C. Abraham, OUT; 2- Z. Sreckovic, SEA; 1- J. Bielecki, OUT
[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.
ALL TIED UP ~ Hornets break record
The Hornets recently surpassed an odd record. However, it's better
than the last record the Hornets broke, the worst WCHL record in league
history. With their 5 ties, the Hornets broke the record for most ties
in a season. Previously the Outlaws held the record for most ties with
4 ties in the 2000-01 WCHL Season. Ties are bitter pills to swallow in
sports, it's not a win but it's not a loss either. In this season, we've
had 5 ties. Yes, the Hornets were involved in every tie in our current
season. The Cobras and Outlaws have each tied the Hornets twice with the
same score of 2-2. The plus side to all those ties was the Hornets were
undefeated for 4 games. The Hornets still have 2 games to increase their
record.
--T. Martin
[Top]
IMMEDIATE DIVIDENDS ~ M. Gerhardt's return
After the Cobras won their Week 6 game against
the Wolf Pack, the Cobras had hoped for a winning streak. However, Gerhardt
had to sit out while he recovered from surgery. He missed 2 games. The
Cobras found themselves in a bit of trouble without the offensive mastery
of Gerhardt. Two straight losses had been given to the Cobras. A 6-2 loss
to the Hornets (Week 7) and a 6-0 shut out at the hands of the Outlaws
(Week 8). Seemingly, the Cobras' offense took a severe blow, scoring only
2 goals in 2 games. Week 9 brought the Cobras a much-needed week off,
as they needed Gerhardt to recover by the next game. Mo Gerhardt returned
for their Week 10 match up against the Wolf Pack. Gerhardt came into directing
his team by his exceptional stickhandling prowess at times single-handedly
provided offensive pressure. The result was a 6-4 victory. Gerhardt got
a goal and an assist. Still not convinced? Well, in their next game, the
Cobras tied 2-2; Mo Gerhardt scored a goal and an assist in two consecutive
games. His absence was a sharp drop in the Cobras' offensive stock, but
Gerhardt's return paid immediate dividends. --T. Martin
[Top]
SILENT SEALS ~ Nowak & Sreckovic
Has there been a secret winning formula with
the first place Seals? Well here are two of the main ingredients to their
success, Zeljko Sreckovic and Anthony Nowak. Perhaps they are over looked
or they have an innate skill to pass through a defense like hockey enabled
stealth mode. Combined, they've accumulated 12 goals and 6 assists essentially
helped their team score half as often as they score themselves. Scoring
when it counts is a term to define an ability to score when the game could
be on the line with every goal. Sreckovic and Nowak have proven that ability
repeatedly. In their Week 5 victory over the Cobras, Nowak scored 2 goals
in the first period and assisted their third goal of the first period
as well. The final score was 5 to 4. Nowak was a strong factor for their
win. Sreckovic has scored some clutch goals such as game tying goals (Week
4 and Week 9) or game winning goals. Against the Hornets in Week 6, the
Seals gripped onto a slim one goal lead until Sreckovic scored the game
winning goal in their 2-0 win. However scoring goals does not make a victory,
you need defense. Though their defensive styles are different, Sreckovic
and Nowak are very tough for offenses to get around. These silent Seals
are quietly becoming two attention-grabbing players; yet, they will still
find a way around the attention.
-- T. Martin
[Top]
SLAPSHOT (SS): WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING IN
THE WCHL?
Mo Gerhardt (MG): I started playing as a substitute player during the
2000-2001 season and was on a team for the first time during the 2001-2002
season.
SS: HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT
THE LEAGUE?
MG: I found about the WCHL when it was featured in Quest magazine during
the fall of 2000.
SS: WHAT'S THE GREATEST PART
TO PLAYING IN THE WCHL?
MG: It's the first opportunity that I have had to be able to release my
competitive emotions in sports without having to play under "special
rules" due to having a disability.
SS: HOW DO APPROACH A GAME? WHAT ARE
YOUR HOCKEY PLAYING PHILOSOPHIES? WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER DO YOU SEE YOURSELF
AS?
MG: I try to approach each game the same. It's important not to get too
emotional and lose concentration. I like to identify the one player on
each team that most of the offense runs through and then focus on shutting
down that aspect. I see myself as a very intense player. I don't have
a lot of upper body strength, so I have to take advantage of my court
vision, knowledge of the game, and speed. I pride myself in being in the
right position.
SS: WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER BE: AN EXCELLENT
GOALIE, TOP SCORER, OR A TEAM PLAYER?
MG: All of the above are great, but I would honestly like to be the top
assist player on a team. Being a team player and assist leader sort of
go hand-in-hand. I love setting people up for scoring opportunities. The
more people that you can get involved in scoring, the harder it becomes
for other teams to defend you.
SS: WHAT DO YOU HOPE OTHERS SEE
FROM YOUR PLAYING STYLE?
MG: I'm sure some fans might see me as a ruthless player! After watching
me for a full season, I'd hope their opinions would change. I don't have
much patience for people that aren't putting in 100% effort, in life or
games, so I always give all I have. If my play can make my teammates better,
then I know I'm doing what I need to be doing. I hate losing, but always
want to be seen as a gracious loser.
SS: HOW DO YOU THINK THE CURRENT
SEASON HAS SHAPED UP? ANY HUGE DISAPPOINTMENTS OR SURPRISES?
MG: The current season has been very competitive. I hate to say we've
been a disappointment, but the team I'm on, the Cobras, don't have the
record that I thought we would have at this point. The Hornets, coming
off a season with no wins, have been a great surprise to the league. Don't
forget though, everybody starts with the same record once the playoffs
begin!
SS: WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE
MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF YOUR TEAM, THE COBRAS?
MG: We have all the elements that are needed: a great goalie, team speed,
solid defenders, and some shooters with strength. Over the last couple
of seasons, our biggest problem has been injuries. I wouldn't doubt if
the Cobras have missed more games due to injuries or illness than the
rest of the teams combined over the last two seasons. It's hard to build
team chemistry when your line-up changes each week. Hopefully by the time
the playoffs start we'll have a better feel for each other.
SS: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE
OTHER 4 WCHL TEAMS?
MG: Solid. Just look at the standings. Anybody can beat anybody on any
given day. There shouldn't have to be much tinkering at all with rosters
at the end of this season.
SS: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE
MOST UNDERRATED PART TO PLAYING HOCKEY? OVERRATED?
MG: The most underrated part of playing hockey is the positive psychological
benefit it has. It is the only form of competitive sport that I have found
available to power wheelchair users without "special" rules.
To be able to release my competitive juices has been wonderful. The most
overrated part of playing hockey would be meeting some former/current
pro athletes. While this is still great, it's not why I play in the league.
I hate to say it's overrated, but I needed to come up with some answer!
SS: WHAT DID YOU STUDY AT COLLEGE?
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER ASPIRATIONS?
MG: I received my Bachelor's of Arts in Business Administration with a
concentration in accounting from Michigan State in 2000. I recently received
my Master's of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Athletic
Administration from Michigan State in 2002. Right now, I am working at
MSU in the Student-Athlete Support Services Department as an Assistant
Coordinator. I hope to someday become a Director of a Student-Athlete
Support Service department at a major university.
SS: WHAT ARE YOUR ULTIMATE OBJECTIVES
WITHIN THE WCHL?
MG: I would love to win a Wheelers Cup. That's the ultimate goal. Leading
the league in assists would be an awesome individual accomplishment, especially
considering the abilities of some others in the league. Seeing or helping
the league expand across the state would also be neat to see. One aspect
that I have not been able to participate in yet has been travel tournament
play. This is something that I would love to have the opportunity to do
at some point; compete with others from the WCHL in a tournament against
other leagues.
SS: WHAT'S YOUR FONDEST MEMORY
SO FAR IN THE LEAGUE?
MG: This may sound cheesy, but my fondest memory is receiving a team jersey
with my name on the back of it. My whole life I had dreamed of playing
in a competitive sports league. Seeing my name on a jersey makes me remember
that I have a responsibility to the rest of my teammates to give all of
my effort every game.
SS: ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO REMARK
ON?
MG: This league is full of some great players. As I mentioned before,
I take it as a challenge to stop other teams top scorers and frustrate
them. If they don't like having to play against me, then I know that I'm
doing my job! I just hope that they realize after the game is over I'm
not the same player off the court that I am on it. And when it comes to
the message board…I think everybody realizes by this point that I speak
my mind and am not afraid to stand behind my beliefs!
[Top]
Welcome to the Practice Session devoted to training or coaching players.
A WCHL Veteran will advise on a different game aspect each month.
This session: Wasting Time
TIME WASTERS
|by T. Martin
Wasting time is a defensive skill. Wasting time
is an offensive nightmare. Wasting time is a goalie's best friend. Wasting
time is essential to killing off a penalty. Wasting time is an effort
by a player or team to eat up valuable seconds off the game clock. That's
enough wasting time.
Time management is a facet of a hockey that requires
a coordinated effort between both offense and defense. On defense, a team
would want to limit how much an opposing team has possession or control
of the ball. It's as simple as this offense wants to move quickly so defense
wants to make them move slowly. These time consuming techniques are a
defensive player's way to control the pace of the game or to protect a
small lead.
Knowing when to control or manipulate game time
is as important as knowing how. Being shorthanded or killing of a penalty
is probably the finest occasion to eat up valuable seconds. Eliminating
an opposing team's greatest scoring chance is the reasoning behind wasting
time on a penalty kill. Holding onto a slim lead of 2 or 1 goals is another
perfect chance to waste time especially in the final period. Erasing the
game clock is terrific when a team needs to frustrate an offense or force
an offense to make costly mistakes.
Here are some simple methods on how to waste
time. Ball movement and keeping control of the ball is a good way to command
the seconds. Once a player takes and keeps the ball, it allows a player
to drive around the court. Defensive players must divert their attention
to any goal scorer, the more time they have to chase a player the less
time they have to score. Make players chase the ball by either dumping
it or clearing the zone. Dump passes don't take up tons of time but players
chasing down the puck does. One thing about dump passes, a teammate should
follow the ball into the zone. Chase pucks into corners and take more
time passing or coming out of the corner. Screen a player and prevent
them from moving into the zone. Our last time waster is the block away
this is when a player tips the puck just out of reach of an opponent.
In other words, an opponent is going after an open puck, one would try
to rush in and tip the ball in the opposite direction of the opponent.
The block away is the most infuriating of all the time wasters for it
makes a player readjust.
Finally, one warning a player should avoid getting
penalties since penalties can stop the clock or leave a team at a disadvantage.
Penalties like delay of game, which is a rule to prevent wasting time.
So one must be careful and follow the rules in other words waste time
legally. Manage the game clock wisely, waste time.
[Top]
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