Moeller hockey team skates long road to top By Michael Rhein Staff Reporter
Defending Southern Ohio Hockey League champion Moeller has had its skates sharpened with traditionally tough northern Ohio teams this season on a murderous road schedule. The Crusader icemen, for example, competed against two Cleveland teams Padua High and St. Edwards Dec. 1o-11. They lost 9-0 to Padua and subsequently were beaten by St. Edwards, which had defeated Padua, 7-4. Moeller offeu~i ve coach Rob Lubanski said, "It educated us as to how strong hockey was in Cleveland." At a Christmas tournament in Findlay, Moeller's fortunes improved with a victory over Findlay High, ·a team Lubanski described as "one of the better teams in the state.'' Moeller, which plays its final home game Feb. 4 versus Ottawa Hills at the Northland Ice Center, 6 p.m., found itself on the highway frequently as indicated by 16 road games out of 18 in one stretch this season. The Crusaders are tied for first place in the SOill.. with Oxford Talawanda
with a 4-3 mark and are 12-8-1 overall. Last year they were 25-3-2 overall and undefeated in-the league. Lubanski said, "It's been an up-anddown season. We seem to play to the level of our competition." Defensive coach John Basalyga, also noting the "inconsistency," said, "We have played a much tougher and more demanding schedule this year." He added, "We're not a team of glittering stars. We have to work extremely hard at both ends to be successful.'' Basalyga said he thinks being on the road so nnuch and playing numerous good teams early in the season may have contributed to the inconsistent performance. However, on a positive note, he said Moeller's tough play in the Cleveland tournament earned them plenty of respect from the northern Ohio powers. "They knew they've been throu~ a brawl," he added. Semor captain-center Greg Doucette is the offensive leader with 30 goals and 13 assists (prior to this J?ast weekend), followed by senior left wmg Dan Burns' 12 ~oals, 16 assists and senior centerassistant captain Greg Morrison's 12 goals, 15 assists. Goalkeeper Jason Rothwell has three shutouts.
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The Moeller High School Ice hockey team Is tied for first place In the Southern Ohio Hockey League with Oxford Talawanda. Team members are, from left: first row, Ed Pflmnann, Eric Gartland, Eric Miller, Mark Barnett, Dave Raymer, Tony Crawford, Greg Doucette; middle row, Jason Rothwell, Dan Bums, Bill Riehle, Brandon Hor· vath, Randy Homoelle, Milt Snyder, Greg M9rrlson, Chris Zennl; back row, coach John Basalyga, coach Rob Lubanskl, Tom Markey, Jason Redden, Jamie Sadler, Steve Johnson, Mike Godar, Rob Harrell, coach Blaine Stoughton, coach Pete Buscanl. ·