|
Jan 14, 2010---6 NESHL Players on USA Sled Hockey Team |
 |
 |
|
Joe Howard is the only 4 time Paralympian on the 2010 US Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, that will be competing in Vancouver British Columbia in March of this year. Joe played on the very 1st US Paralympic Team in NaganoJapan in 1998, on the Gold Medal Team in Salt Lake CityUtah in 2002 and the Bronze Medal Team in Torino Italy in 2006. The picture shown is a newspaper clipping from the Patriot Ledger March 8 & 9, 1997, before Joe went to his first World Sled Hockey Cup in Sweden a week later. And in case you’re wondering, Yes, Joe is on an Altimate Medical Sled. That’s the type of sled he used in Sweden.
 Joe started skating with the Boston Blades in late 1996 or early 1997. After several weeks one of the other players contacted the US coach Angelo Bianco. Angelo drove up from New Jersey one Wednesday night with Vic, Fitzy and some of the New York players, to see Joe skate. When practice ended at 11pm, Angelo told Joe that he could go to Sweden with the team if he could raise the air fare, I think it was around $500. As I recall Joe had only 2 or 3 weeks to raise the money. I was told that some of the Swedish players told Joe he would be a lot faster if he took off his prosthetics when he skated. Joe did and the rest as they say is history.
Joe plays for the NEP Wildcats in the Northeast Sled Hockey League. The other members of the Paralympic Team that play in the League are: Taylor Chace (NEP Wildcats), Josh Pauls (NY Rangers), Jimmy Connolly, Tim Jones & Bubba Torres (all play for the PA Center-Pedes)
The US took Gold in both the IPC World Sledge Hockey Cup and the Canadian Sledge Hockey Challenge in 2009. We’ll be watching as they go for the Gold again at the Paralympic Games in March of this year. Good Luck Guys we’re all rooting for you.
Story by Dale Wise---NESHL Commissioner
|
|
|
Jan 10, 2010---Pack howls as they get shut out by NY 0-3 |
|
|
|
In a classic rivalry battle that dates back to when the Wolfpack was formed, The NY Rangers nudge ahead of the Wolfpack in an exciting 3 – 0 win.
The first period started out in classic NY CT fashion with two big, back to back hits from CT enforcer Tyler “The Tank” Konvent and NY sniper Nick “quick hands” Teodoro. That set the pace for 2 periods. The Wolfpacks great defense and New York’s pressure in the neutral zone keep the game at a 0-0 tie through the first period.
NY came out guns blazing in the 2nd but CT goalie Karen Smith stood her ground putting on an incredible display of leather flashing with her glove. Big hits, hard shots, and crisp passes were the story for most of the 2nd period until Connor Fee scored a late goal giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead going into the 3rd.
Wolpack heads were still high going into 3rd but the Rangers offense proved to be to much with goals scored by Chris Meigel and Nick Teodoro lengthening the Rangers lead to 3.
The star of the game though, goes to NY goalie Andrew Schwartz stopping all 15 shots from the Wolfpack including 3 break aways from CT ‘big gun’ Ryan Pelletier giving the Rangers a win with the final score being 3-0.
Story by Patrick Carney
|
|
Jan 10, 2010---Fresh Bug Squad (PA 10) Outlasts Tired Wolfpack (CT 0) |
|
|
 Doyle's secret weapon on the bench; Paralympic skater Jones calling the line changes. Jones had not gotten the memo that "they" could continue to skate for their local programs until 12 JAN 2010; interesting. The CT Wolfpack looked a little tired after being muzzled by the advancing (in the standings) Rangers. On top of that Jenner, Kuntz and Pelletier couldn't count on a bounce their way. Also Konvent and Rock couldn't find the opponent's shoulders they usually contact.
The CT coaching staff could only look at their eyelids as CT passes couldn't connect with CT sticks. With the ice leaning slightly in one direction, the Wolfpack lost with their heads high as thoughts of crisper passes and more favorable bounces danced through their heads.
CT Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote (Commander of Submarines) is currently planning the future demise of the PA's merchant fleet. PA's mindset was on execution of skating, passing and checking into February final games vs NY and NH (respectively). The Bugs want to sour the sweet victory that Tom Carr can almost taste.
Lubin started out the first period scoring (assist Keys); followed by Beck, Wilson and Blaine (assists by Doyle, Hallman and Wilson). Period two saw goals by returning Hallman, Wilson and two by Blaine (assists by Lubin, Doyle - Schultz, M. McDevitt and NA). Rookie netminder Schultz secured a point (assist) in his first game!!!
Bobby Keys was given the green light in the third and finished with a takeaway, breakaway and put away with-out any helper. His smile coming back to the bench told me he discovered a use for his right stick. The final goal was a "family affair" featuring a pair of McDevitts as bookends.
Congo line smiles and acknowledgements prove what happens on the ice stays on the ice; GO WOLFPACK!!!
Written by Mike Doyle
|
|
Jan 10, 2010---SledCats Bested by Bugs-- VT: 0, PA: 9 |
|
|
|
Coming off a thrashing at the hands of the NEP Wildcats in Sunday's first game, the Vermont SledCats took the ice against the Pennsylvania Center-Pedes. With a bench consisting of young and veteran players, the Bugs were able to attack quickly with four 1st period goals by Danny McDevitt, Mike Hallman and the wily vet Mike Doyle who netted two in the opening period. Trailing by five in the 2nd, after another D. McDevitt tally, Vermont threatened to score on the first of two powerplays when forwards Bryan Bathalon, Eric Gissendanner and Johnny McArdle skated into the offensive zone against just one PA defender. However, an errant pass caused a Vermont turnover, ending the only real scoring chance for the SledCats.
With a five-goal deficit entering the final period, the SledCats fought hard but surrendered four more goals thanks to PA's D.J. Wilson, Mike Hallman and Mike Doyle, rounding out the hat-trick. Despite the score, Vermont continued to show their improvement. It was not rare to see the puck in the Bugs' offensive zone for minutes at a time but Vermont was able to stave off the crashing PA players by occupying passing lanes and blocking countless shots. When the final buzzer sounded to end this month's final game, Vermont goalie Patrick Standen had faced a total of 88 shots over two games, surrendering only 21 goals. With the victory over VT, Pennsylvania earned its 8th win, moving them into a first-place tie with NH entering next month's championship Sunday.
Story by Eric Gissendanner
|
|
Jan 10, 2010---PERFECT SUNDAY FOR TOP TEAMS SETS UP SHOWDOWN FOR FIRST |
|
|
|
DANBURY, CT—The NEP Wildcats and Pennsylvania Center-Pedes showed on the ice this past  Sunday, January 10 at Danbury, Connecticut what the standings stated on paper for most of the year: they are indeed the class of the league. Both teams were thoroughly dominant on Sunday, winning both their games in decisive fashion. Each go into the final day of NESHL competition on February 14 tied atop the league with 16 points apiece. The Wildcats started off the day’s competition with a 12-0 waxing of the Vermont Sledcats, and followed that up with a tough 4-1 win against longtime rival New York—a game in which they scored 4 unanswered goals—proving that they can win both with overwhelming offense and gritty play. Along with typically strong contributions from Josh Moran and Bryan Genovese, Wildcats coach Tom Carr spoke of Kevin Hosier as being the team’s MVP of their win against the New York United Spinal Rangers for his smart and tough-minded play. The Center-Pedes, who are a very versatile team in their own right, also dominated both of their opponents, allowing a grand total of zero goals in their games against Vermont, who lost 5-0, and the Connecticut Wolfpack, who were beaten 10-0. A young team with interchangeable parts, Pennsylvania is a remarkably consistent squad that presents a tough match-up for any team because they can beat you in so many ways, and with big-time talents like Tim Jones, Ray Beck, and the brothers McDevitt, they are a worthy adversary to be sure.
The New York Rangers suffered through a disappointing Sunday. Although they did get a 3-0 win against the Wolfpack, their one loss to the Wildcats, along with wins by the Wildcats and Center-Pedes, eliminated them from championship contention, and it seemed clear they missed the presence of Victor Calise and Josh Pauls, the latter of whom was recently named to the 2010 U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team. The Connecticut Wolfpack too had a tough day, losing both of their games. Their defense, however, was able to keep a strong Rangers club to only 3 goals, which is definitely a noteworthy accomplishment. Vermont had an equally rough time with their even tougher draw, losing 12-0 to the NEP Wildcats and 5-0 to the Center-Pedes. Like Connecticut, they also achieved a moral victory of sorts, keeping co-league-leading Pennsylvania to a respectably and relatively low 5 goals.
With the Wildcats looking for a three-peat and the Center-Pedes hoping to cap an incredible and improbable turnaround from last season’s dismal final record of only 3 wins against 5 loses with a league title, the final installment of the NESHL season on February 14 in Danbury will finally end the deadlock between the two and determine who number one. There will be little love lost this Valentine’s Day when these truly great teams face off for the NESHL championship .
The games will be held on Sunday, January 10, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Danbury Ice Arena: 1 Independence Way, Danbury, CT 06810. For more information about this season’s statistics, standings, and schedule, please visit the NESHL website, www.NESHL.org, and for information on other adapted sports please visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org.
Story by Peter Quartuccio
|
|
|
