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Article published February 04, 2010
HOCKEY

Knights are No. 1, but would rather be on top at end of year
By MARK MONROE BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Lofty aspirations always accompany aNo. 1 ranking but the St. Francis de Sales hockey team knows the potential pitfalls of those great expectations.

The Knights also know that it won't matter unless they finish on top at season's end. St. Francis (23-2-2) has been the top-ranked team in the state for most of the season.

Senior captain Scott Loy leads the high-powered Knights with 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists).

“It's nice to be known as the No. 1 team. But it also puts a huge target on us,” Loy said. “You get the best game from every team you play. Coach says it means nothing until the end.”

The Knights have outscored opponents 147-37. They average 5.4 goals per game while yielding only 1.4. They also are outshooting the opposition by an average of 39.3 shots to 15.6 per contest.

Senior forward David Torchia said when the first state poll came out in December with St. Francis ranked second behind Cleveland St. Ignatius, the players took exception.
 
“We wanted to be No. 1 and we started working really hard,” Torchia said. “Then when we got to No. 1 we might have laid back.”

Senior goalie Jeff Davis said the top ranking is something to work for, but that it doesn't mean that much now.

“It can be a distraction,” Davis said. “It can make every game harder and harder.”

Coach Brian Kinsella, a former Toledo Goaldigger who is in his third season at St. Francis, led the Knights to the state semifinals in 2008.

“This is the most skilled team I've had,” he said.

But Kinsella said the No. 1 ranking makes every opponent raise its level of play.

“If you're not ready every night, someone will be happy to knock you off,” he said. “It's nice to be acknowledged like that by the state. But I challenge the kids with it. If they want to be No. 1 they have to go out and show why. They have to live up to that reputation.”
 
Sophomore Ben Torchia is second in scoring with 30 goals and 21 assists. His senior brother, David Torchia, has scored 23 goals and has 20 assists.

Three other players have collected 36 or more points this season: junior Tyler Murphy (17 G, 26 A), junior Nate Opblinger (9 G, 32 A) and Connor Frey (16 G, 20 A).

Six skaters are averaging more than a point per game.

“We pride ourselves on getting lots of shots,” Loy said.

The Knights give Davis credit for their stellar record. Davis is 19-2-2 with a miniscule 1.56 goals-against average. Davis also has a .912 save percentage.

“Jeff Davis has been playing really well,” Loy said. “He has kept us in a lot of games.”

“He is a fantastic goalie,” David Torchia said. “That gives the defense confidence.”

Davis said he has the most talented players in the state in front of him.
 
“They're excellent forwards and excellent defensemen,” he said. “They're smart and they're experienced. It's the best team I've ever been on.”

Kinsella said the coaching staff was expecting big things out of Davis and he's delivered.

“He's a senior and he's been in a lot of games,” Kinsella said. “He's been huge for us. When he's focused, he's hard to beat.”

The Torchias have been paired with Loy to form St. Francis' top line. The brothers played on the same line last year.

“It's a lot of fun playing with Scott,” David said. “He has the size and reach [6-3, 185] and that helps in the corners.”

Ben Torchia said Loy's work in the slot and down low creates chances for everyone.

The Torchias are among five players who had competed on junior and travel teams in the past that have joined the Knights this season, instantly boosting the program's skill level.
 
The Torchias played together on a junior team in Michigan. Murphy, junior defenseman Bryce Connor (20 points), and sophomore forward Reid Kersey also did not play for their high school team last year.

“We knew they had a high level of talent, so coach set high expectations,” Loy said.

“I knew right from the second I skated with these guys we would be a good team,” David Torchia said.

Kinsella said the new players want to impress the coaches.

“That got the others hyped up and playing harder. That's when they realized, ‘Hey, we have a chance now,'” Kinsella said.

After surviving a key showdown with rival St. John's Jesuit last Friday, the Knights saw their unblemished league record vanish Saturday. St. Francis (6-0-1 NHC Red Division) beat the Titans 4-3 in overtime, but then lost to Northview 2-1 in a shootout.

“I think it was a good thing because I think some of us were getting big heads and a little too cocky,” Loy said. “That grounded us and put us back on task.”

Davis said his team did not play like it had been earlier in the year, which included a 4-0 shutout of Northview.

“Hopefully we learned a lot from that loss,” Davis said.

Kinsella said the excitement and adrenaline did not seem to be there. “That loss brought us back to reality,” he said.

Kinsella believes his team can play better defensively.

“We need to clean some things up if we want to be as good as we can be,” Kinsella said. “We need to be more competitive heading into districts.”

St. Francis has never won a state title and the Knights also are seeking their first NHC title since 1999. St. Francis is tied with St. John's and they will meet again Feb. 12 when another crowd of about 2,000 is expected at Tam O'Shanter.

“It's better than any other sport,” said Loy, a standout football and lacrosse player. “Just the noise is incredible. It feels like the fans are right on top of you.”

Kinsella said he expects another wild game.

“It's a great rivalry that brings out the best in both teams,” he said.

Ben Torchia said winning the division would likely give the Knights the top seed in the district.

“That would give us a boost going into the playoffs,” Ben said. “But we have to play a lot better than we did last weekend. We have to play more as a team.”

Kinsella said he tells his players if they continue to be successful, “the league will take care of itself.”

The road to Columbus starts in the district where Kinsella and his players believe any of the other Red Division teams could emerge as champions.

“It's a tossup,” Loy said. “It's so close.”

Kinsella said the main objective now is to get opponents to play his team's game.

“They need to play at our level,” Kinsella said. “We are a speedy team. We can do amazing things with the puck if we all work hard. It's tough to cover all of our guys.”

David Torchia said he likes the team's confidence and chemistry.

“Our school has never won a state title in hockey,” he said. “This could be the year if everything works out and everyone plays like they should.”

Contact Mark Monroe at:mmonroe@theblade.comor 419-724-6354.
 

by Jeff Meade , last modified January 16. 2010 11:04PM

Article published January 07, 2010
 
By MARK MONROE BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Perrysburg senior center Matt White has produced mind-boggling numbers this season with senior linemate Ben Lopez serving as his vital wingman.
White, a prolific scorer, shares the bounty with Lopez.
White has tallied an astonishing 47 goals this season. He also has dished out an incredible 31 assists, and his 78 points are just nine shy of tying the school record for a season.
Lopez, a left winger, has scored 29 goals and has 32 assists for 61 points.
Through 18 games, White is averaging 4.3 points and 2.6 goals per game.
“They're tearing it up,” Perrysburg coach Jeff LaCourse said.
The pair have Perrysburg (11-7-0 overall) positioned atop the Northwest Hockey Conference White Division standings. The Yellow Jackets are 4-0-0, including a 9-6 win over Bedford, the preseason favorite.
White said the chemistry has been mutually beneficial.
“When he and I have the puck, good things happen,” White said. “I love playing with Ben. I can find him on the ice anytime. Every time we're on the ice we think we can score a goal.”
White had six goals in an 8-3 win over Central Catholic last Saturday. Lopez chipped in with four assists.
“It doesn't feel real,” Lopez said. “It's pretty amazing to have put that many points up.”
Last season, White set the school record for goals scored in a season with 53. He also had 27 assists for 80 points. Lopez, who broke his collarbone last year, still had 18 goals and 18 assists.
The duo has been working on their chemistry since they learned to skate.
“It goes back to when we were real young,” White said. “We'd play hockey in the basement. We could always find each other. Even when I'm not looking, I'll know where he is going to be.”
Lopez said he has been playing hockey with White since they were 6.
“Matt and I grew up together. We played a lot of pond hockey,” Lopez said. “I always know where he is on the ice. It's a good feeling to have this unspoken thing we have. If I get the puck to Matt, it's most likely going in the net. That's my plan.”
LaCourse said White and Lopez are on the same club teams with players from St. Francis de Sales, which is ranked No. 1 in the state.
“They work well together,” LaCourse said. “They're very good at getting themselves open and creating opportunities. Sometimes I wonder how they know the pass is going to be there.”
White said the entire team maintains an up-tempo pace.
“Perrysburg hockey is playing with speed,” White said. “We're not physical. We put a lot of pucks on net.”
LaCourse said White has “unbelievable speed.”
“He is a fast kid,” LaCourse said. “The thing that impresses me most is that he changes directions so well. He turns people around.”
But LaCourse said White also has really good hands.
“He has a little bit of everything,” LaCourse said. “He can finish.”
He said White often creates odd-man rushes. “A lot of times he's all by himself,” LaCourse said.
The third-year Yellow Jackets coach said Lopez, who is the team captain, is a very smart player.
“Ben makes everyone on the ice better with his passing and he plays great defense,” LaCourse said. “He's a good shooter and he's creative.”
But the duo said they don't focus on individual feats.
“I don't really look at the stats. I just don't like to take credit. I'm low key,” White said. “I'm not one to brag.”
But the records still matter to him. He said he had 47 goals late last year when he was told the record in a season was 48.
“When I broke it I had four goals in a game against Clay that we came from behind,” White said. “It was a lot more special because we won.”
White also knows the record for points in season is 87.
“One of my goals is the single-season record in points,” he said. “So far I'm right on track.”
With at least 10 games left, Lopez and White will have ample opportunity to keep lighting the lamp. Yet White will have difficulty setting the school's career record for points. That record (277) is held by Ben Lopez's brother, Danny, who graduated in 2008.
As a freshman, White said he was only 5-5 and 115 pounds.
“I did not have much success,” he said. “I got pushed around.”
He has since grown five inches and put on 50 pounds.
“I have a weight bench in my basement,” he said. “I work on the upper body and the legs.”
LaCourse said White was “a tiny little kid” who played on his fourth line. Then as a sophomore, White played defense.
“He turned into one of the top defensemen in the league,” LaCourse said. “As a junior, we moved him back to forward and he really took off.”
White said he is considering playing junior hockey, perhaps for the Toledo Cherokee. But White, who also is a standout outfielder in baseball, may also opt to attend a small college to play both sports.
Lopez said he may play for the club team at the University of Toledo.
But White and Lopez's current priority is winning a division title and getting back to the district final. As sophomores, they helpedPerrysburg upset Findlay and Bowling Green to reach the district championship.
Bedford (4-1) has won four straight division titles at the expense of the Yellow Jackets, who have consistently finished second.
The teams meet again tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the Ice House. Then Perrysburg plays Anthony Wayne (3-1) on Saturday.
“If we follow through with two wins we will be in the driver's seat,” Lopez said.
Contact Mark Monroe at:mmonroe@theblade.comor 419-724-6354.

Article published January 02, 2010
 
By DAVID PATCH
BLADE STAFF WRITER
With his Clay High School hockey teammates lined up before him, Kyle Cannon took center ice Friday afternoon for a ceremony that no scholastic athlete - or any other athlete, for that matter - would ever truly want for himself or an opponent: the retirement of his uniform number because of catastrophic injury.
But if Kyle, who suffered a paralyzing neck injury during a high school hockey tournament in suburban Dayton on Nov. 30, 2008, harbors any bitterness over his fate, he had it well suppressed as he prepared for his appearance before a fund-raising scrimmage between the Clay Eagles and the Anthony Wayne Generals.
"I'm not really mad about it," he said at the Lucas County Arena.  "It was kind of a random thing. It could have happened to anybody."
The crowd who turned out for the special game gave Kyle a standing ovation when he was introduced for the pregame puck-drop ceremony, during which the Clay sophomore was presented with a framed hockey sweater bearing his No. 3 and a varsity letter from the team.
Jim Cannon, Kyle's father, said afterward that while there were a large number of no-shows, 4,020 tickets were sold for the exhibition game, breaking the Ohio scholastic hockey single-game record of 3,992.
All proceeds from the game, for which $5 admission was charged, were to be donated to a fund helping with Kyle's medical expenses, as were the proceeds of a silent auction of the specially made sweaters both teams' players wore for the game and of other hockey memorabilia donated to the fund-raising campaign.

The Clay sweaters all had a small No. 3 printed on the left shoulder in Kyle's honor, and both teams' uniforms had a "Kyle Cannon Benefit" inscription across the top of the back.
With the game's result and statistics - Anthony Wayne won - not counting, the two teams' players essentially donated a significant chunk of their New Year's Day to the campaign, too.
"It's great; whatever we can do to help," Andrew Price, an Anthony Wayne senior from Waterville, said beforehand.
Young Price said he and his teammates learned of Kyle's injury about a week after it happened; they had been playing in a tournament in Columbus while Clay participated in the Dayton event.
"He was just a normal high-school kid who played hockey," young Price said. "It could happen to anyone."
Mr. Cannon said the benefit game had been a motivating force for his son, who through physical therapy has regained limited movement in his right arm.
"It's like starting over for him," Mr. Cannon said. "Basically, he has to retrain his brain, and his body, to everything."
Kyle said before the game that it "would mean a lot" to him if the attendance record were broken, but even if it weren't, he appreciated all the moral support from those who did come out.
Mr. Cannon said afterward that it would be some time before he knew how much money had been raised, because there were some unexpected expenses that had to be paid.
But the money will be critical to Kyle's continuing therapy because Mr. Cannon has been laid off from work as a union carpenter since September, and his medical insurance expires next month.
Mr. Cannon said that even if he were called back to work tomorrow, his benefits would not restart for several months.
Among those participating in the pregame ceremony was Toledo Walleye Coach Nick Vitucci, who the Clay and Anthony Wayne team managers said gave enthusiastic support for the benefit hockey game the instant they proposed it to the Walleye organization.
"The hockey community is a small one, so you do whatever you can to be supportive and help" when something like Kyle's injury happens, Mr. Vitucci said after meeting Kyle for the first time at the arena yesterday. "It's amazing how competitive it is out on the ice but how passionate people are off the ice for each other."
"It could easily be my son, and that's why we're so passionate about it," said Bruce Johnson, a parent and team manager who with John Utter, his friend and team-manager counterpart at Clay, organized the game.
"We got so much support from the community - the northwest Ohio hockey family has been unbelievable," Mr. Johnson said.
Contact David Patch at:
dpatch@theblade.com
or 419-724-6094.

Article published December 28, 2009 in Toledo Blade
 
By ZACH SILKA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

It's been 13 months since he suffered a severe spinal cord injury, but the northwest Ohio hockey community continues to rally around Kyle Cannon.

The 15-year-old Clay High School student was paralyzed during a holiday tournament in the Dayton area on Nov. 30, 2008. Several fund-raisers have been held since then to help defray the Oregon resident's medical costs.

The next event will take place New Year's Day at Lucas County Arena - the Kyle Cannon Benefit Game matching the Clay Eagles against the Anthony Wayne Generals at 1 p.m.

Before the game, the public is invited to take part in a public skate at the arena beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets for the event are $5 and include admission to the open skate and the game.

"I'm very good friends with the team manager from Anthony Wayne, Bruce Johnson, and the two of us were talking back in August and throwing some ideas around," Clay Team Manager John Utter said. "We contacted the Toledo Walleye, and they jumped on board immediately. And literally from that point on, it's taken on a life of its own."

While nearly every high school hockey team in the area has shown support for Kyle, along with several professional and club teams across the country, Mr. Utter said that Anthony Wayne has stood out from the pack.
"The entire Northwest Hockey Conference has been absolutely fantastic, but Anthony Wayne was the first high school to really put some fund-raisers together for Kyle," Mr. Utter said.

"They have pretty much led the charge in regard to fund-raisers for Kyle since the accident happened last November. It really made it a perfect fit for Clay and Anthony Wayne to play this game," he said.

As Anthony Wayne's coach for nine years, Dave Faulkner said he felt a responsibility for him and his program to do as much as they could for Kyle and his family.

"I can't imagine being a coach and having that happen," Mr. Faulkner said.

"It's just excruciating, so you feel a sense of responsibility to help out."

Both teams will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned during the game. Toledo Walleye and Detroit Red Wings memorabilia, including an autographed Gordie Howe jersey, also will be auctioned.

All proceeds from the game and the silent auction will go to the Kyle Cannon Fund. Donations also can be made at Waterford Bank in Sylvania or any Charter One Bank.

"The attendance record for a high school hockey game in Ohio is 3,992," Mr. Utter said, "and we're hoping to break that record. We're hoping to get over 4,000 people there. Our goal is 5,000."

Kyle Cannon's No. 3 Clay jersey will be retired in a ceremony before the game, the first such distinction in the program's history.

Article published December 10, 2009

RED DIVISION
Sidelines: Knights carry favorite tag
St. Francis loaded with experience; Northview picked for second

By MARK MONROE BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Northview is off to a 2-0-0 start with wins over St. John's and Findlay. St. John's (2-1-0) has wins over Southview and BG. St. Francis (1-0-0) defeated Findlay 5-4.

Here is a look at the Red Division in predicted order of finish, according to a preseason coaches' poll:

St. Francis (14-11-5 overall, 3-5-2 NHC Red) finished fifth out of six teams in the division last year.

But Kinsella, who enters his third season with a 40-17-9 record, has 20 players, including 11 letter winners.

Loy (6-foot-3, 180 pounds) scored nine goals and had six assists for 15 points in 10 league games. Loy, who will play lacrosse at Syracuse University, earned All-Ohio second team as a wide receiver in football.

Junior defenseman Connor Frey, who collected five points (4 A) in 10 league games last season, earned All-NHC second team.

Davis (2-3-2 record with a 2.41 goals-against average in league play) is a senior with experience.

Other top returning players include: senior center/defenseman David Torchia, junior center Tyler Murphy, and junior defenseman Bryce Connor.

Northview (16-14-2, 6-4-0) should have a solid defensive group after losing just one defenseman.

“We have a great blend of size and skill and the right amount of experience to be steady on the blue line,” Jones said. “I also believe our goaltending should be greatly improved with another year of experience under their belts. They should build upon a good year.”

Junior Matt Stevenson and sophomore Austin Gryca split time in net last year.

Jones, who was an assistant under longtime coach Jim Cooper, is in his second year. He said this group of players has a tremendous work ethic which should pay dividends.

Fifteen of the 21 players, including five seniors, earned varsity letters last year.

The seniors are: forward Matt Snyder, defenseman Jordan Jones (7 A in 10 league games), forward Anthony Holley, forward Joshua Krispin (6-3, 210) and forward Mark Hall.

Coach Jones said the Wildcats' main weakness is its maturity.

“We're still young and inexperienced and we're going to make ‘young' mistakes,” he said. “With a steep learning curve and better mental toughness, they should grow as the season progresses. I will be surprised if we don't have some struggles early in the year but we'll be around in the end.”

Findlay (17-10-4, 4-4-2) has plenty of experience back with 14 letter winners.

Junior Layne Martin (24 G, 33 A) is among three of the team's top five scorers that return. Also back are juniors Trey Bracy (11, 23) and Alex Henry (11, 15).

Senior goalie Travis Friar had a 2.88 GAA and .876 save percentage. Seniors Cy Otto and Greg Toupalik are the top defensemen.

Coach Dan St. Jean said the Trojans' speed makes up for a lack of overall size. Leadership from five seniors and Martin, the team's captain, also are strengths. Also having Friar back in net should be a bonus for the Trojans, who reached the district semifinals last year.

St. Jean said a large junior class must step up as they will receive regular shifts after the graduation of eight seniors. Two freshmen, Patrick Martin and Patrick Hall, also will see a lot of ice time.

“We will be a competitive hockey team that never quits,” St. Jean said. “As the season progresses, we will continue to get better.”

St. John's (27-9-3, 7-2-1) has won two of the last three division titles.

Coach Mike Hayes, who has a 138-57-15 career record, will count on 12 returning letter winners. Hayes has 20 players, including six seniors.

Senior forward George Wilkinson finished with 33 goals and 37 assists last year. The offense also will be bolstered by junior forward Eric Brown (25 G, 27 A), senior forward Kyle Knox (21 G, 25 A), senior forward Nick Walla (13 G, 21 A) and junior forward Jake Kennedy (10 G, 22 A).

“Offense should be a strength,” Hayes said. “Eight of our top nine forwards from last year return. We have one 30 goal scorer and two 20 goal scorers from last year back. We should be able to count on three lines to provide offense and have a usable fourth line.”

He said sophomore Jack Pfeifer, who played travel hockey last season, should be a good addition.

Senior goalie Christian Davis returns after posting a 2.19 GAA and a .889 save percentage. But Davis, who earned second team all-league honors, is currently injured and is expected back in mid-December.

“Goaltending should also be solid with Christian Davis and Mike Brahaney,” Hayes said. “Mike has proved to be a very solid goalie and can get the job done.”

But two freshmen and a sophomore will be counted on as the Titans' top defensemen. Hayes also lost forward Ray Morris, who had a team-high 42 goals.

“There will be some growing pains early for us to be consistently good on the back end,” Hayes said.

Hayes said his team probably won't win a lot of 2-1 games.

“We'll probably be exciting to watch as I see a lot of 6-5 type of games this year for us,” he said. “If our offense and power play can be consistent, we should be able to play with anyone. If our D can improve as a group throughout the year, we should be very good.”

Bowling Green (16-9-2, 4-5-1) dominated the division, capturing five straight titles from 2001-05 and eight of 10 dating back to 1996. But the Bobcats have not been back to the state final four since 2004.

BG lost most of its offense and graduated its top three defensemen.

But two young goalies, junior Nick Morris and sophomore Nathan Gay, are back. Morris went 3-3-1 in league play with a 2.25 GAA. Gay had a 2.83 GAA in three division games.

Also back is senior forward Joey Harris, who led the Bobcats in scoring. Harris had 12 points (3 G, 9 A) in 10 league games. He is among nine forwards that are back.

Junior defensemen Dylan Graves and Cole Jennings will be joined along the blue line by sophomore Cody Lang.

Bowling Green was in contention for the league crown last year until a late three-game losing streak. BG reached the district final before falling to Findlay last season.

Southview (12-13-3, 3-7-0) will be led by senior goalie Erik Fisher, who was All-NHC first team last season.

Fisher is among eight seniors back for coach Wayne Collins, who is in his eighth season at Southview after spending 16 seasons at Ottawa Hills.

Senior forward Steve Dibble has been elected captain after leading the team in scoring. Other top players include fellow senior forwards Drew Saltzstein and Rob Apple and senior defenseman Aaron Birney. Sophomore Jay Fisher will play both upfront and in the back.

However, with only 15 players on his roster, Collins cites depth as a concern.

“We need to play good defensive hockey, stay disciplined with no penalties and get good goaltending,” he said. “At one point last season every team in the Red Division was ranked in the top 10

Schedules have been updated per the latest copy from the League Secretary (version U).  Menu option to display a consolidated schedule for all league games was added as well.