Solid players to return for Moeller hockey By Kyle Burch Community Press Staff Writer
KENWOOD - Sometimes improvement in a team can't be seen in records alone. Such is the case for the 20062007 Moeller hockey team. The Crusaders ended their season with a 5-2, third-round loss to No. 1 ranked Upper Arlington. The loss left Moeller with an overall record of21-11-2 for the season. "Our boys played exceptional all season," head coach Mike Reeder said. "We didn't win as many games
as we did last year, but we went further in the playoffs. Our schedule had a lot to do with that." After advancing to the state final four two years ago, the Moeller program went into last season with high hopes, but the Crusaders were ousted early in the state tournament. ln order to avoid a repeat of that, Reeder felt it necessary to put together a tougher regular season schedule in 2006-2007. The result was more losses, but what Reeder says a more improved team.
"Getting our guys to play a tough schedule was one of our main goals for this season," Reedersaid. "We think it helped us prepare for the postseason a little better." The Crusaders finished 7-2-1 in the South Division of the Southwest Ohio High School Hockey League. That put them third behind first-place Talawanda and Beavercreek. The Crusaders will return a solid group to the rink next season led by juniors Kyle Fitzpatrick, Jon Korst and Jarret lmbrtmyev and
sophomore Nate Han. Those four can expect an even tougher schedule next season, as Reeder hopes to get the program back to the state final four level. "It will probably be an even tougher schedule next year. That's how team's get better, by playing better competition," Reeder said. "The boys learned a lot thi~ year and took some knocks bU1 they'll be better n~ear becausE ofit." 3/_:.L., o 7 ¡ kburcli@co munitypress.con
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