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