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Tony Tribble for The EPqutrer

The Moeller High School hockey team practices at Cincinnati Gardens, which is without a professional hockey franchise this season "'or the first time since 1989.

Hockey: Year's hiatus From Page Bl

Fans also are turning to local co': leges and high schools for action on the ice and, of course, to their 1V!<, where they finally can watch the NHL again after a lockout suspended games last season. Kevin Overberg, a Cincinnati hockey fan since the days of the Swords, Stingers and Tigers, has season tickets to Miami University's home games. "I just love the sport," said Overberg. Mike Harris, Miami University's assistant athletic director for external affairs, says the absence of pro hockey in Cincinnati is translating into increased sales for the RedHawks. Season-ticket sales are up 11 percent this year, he said. There are other reasons for the increased ticket sales, Harris added. A new stadium will open next year, and season-ticket holders this season can renew their packages next year for the same price. Still "hockey fans are looking for a place to find hockey" this year, Harris said. Another possible beneficiary of the Mighty Ducks' absence: Northem Kentucky 1Jniversity' s new club team. Scott Hicks, president of NKU Club Hockey, said more than 300

people attended Saturday's opener against Wright State. Hicks said he thinks the club's novelty attracted much of the crowd, but he said he talked to Cyclones and Mighty Ducks fans after the game. "People said they got into hockey watching the Cyclones and Ducks and decided to come check us out," Hicks said. And Cincinnati Gardens - which was the home of the Mighty Ducks - won't be empty this winter. Ifs hosting some high schools games featuring teams such as Moeller, St Xavier and Elder. Moeller coach Mike Reeder, who is· also the director of ice sales at the Mighty Ducks Skating Center, said high school hockey offers dedicated fans an outlet "We might gain some hardcore fans who are really searching for games," Reeder said. "Everybody in town is definitely missing (professional hockey). We're all excited about the next team, but for right now, Wffre just sitting and waiting." Then there are the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones, the area's Jr. B team in the Central States Hockey League. This elite-level junior team, which fields players looking to move up to Jr. A and collegiate hockey, plays most of its games at SportsPlus but has four games scheduled at the

Gardens. Smpe plans to attend some of these lower-level games. 'To me, hockey is hockey, whether ifs professional, pee wee or college," he said. If bere's nothing else, he1l make u;> his own games on his PlayStation. An:l Questa figures if he can't w111:ch hockey, he might as well play. He's participating in an adult hockey league at SportsPlus this full with his team, the Heckler's Grove Wolves. But fans like Snape and Questa are hopeful that, ultimately, this is jus: a one-year aberration, and that pre hx:key returns to Cincinnati stronger than ever with fans unified behind one team. The Ducks averaged 4,961 fans in 4C home games last season, near 1le mi::ldle of the pack for the AHL That's compared to reported averages of nearly 10,000 fans at Cyclones games in the 1990s. Can hockey ever become that big hen again? You can bet there are a few fans who ca~.'t wait to see. '1t's a new team, something the entire city can get around and embrace," Snape said. "... If we put the petty stuff away, maybe hockey can real.'y, really 1ourish in this town."

E-mail ckatze@enquirer. com

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Moeller wins tournament The Moeller High School hockey team won the ninth annual Moeller Christmas tournament at the Cincinnati Gardens, giving the team a record of 19¡0 for the season. They defeated St Xavier 3¡2 in the championship game. Team members are, from left: first row, Clay !)ratt, Nate Han, Lauren Johnson, Chris Prampero, Vince DIGennaro, Dan Chalifoux; second row, Yvon DesFosses, Buddy Payne, Mary Ann Huffman, Chris Chalifoux, Matt MacDowell, George Courtemanche, Kyle Fitzpatrick, Joe Huffman, NicK Hartmann, Steve Bennett, Dan Brunck, Mike R!leder, Joe Chalifoux; third row, Jon Korst, Erik Korst, Mark Prampero.

Crusaders hockey continues roll into holiday tourney ,,.., •)'

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By Kyle Burch Community Press Staff Writer KENWOOD - After key games with Troy and Springboro this week, the Moeller hockey program will begin preparations to host its annual Christmas tournament Dec. 27-29. The tournament, conducted at the Cincinnati Gardens, is in its seventh year of existence and pits the Crusaders in a round-robin format against St. Xavier, Kettering Alter and Toledo Oay. Through Friday Moeller had posted a perfect record of ll-0, including championship wins in the St. Charles and Landen Ramirez Memorial tournaments. Head coach Mike Reeder said if his team can continue to play with the tenacity shown in the early season, things look good heading into thP tourn~mPnt

$"' "We are going to have to play plant their com now and harvest it

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good defense and have a total team effort," Reeder said. "If we play with bravery and courage then things will work out for us." The Crusaders will be defendingthetitlefromlastyear'stournament As they have all season, a group of seven seniors will be looking to lead this team to its third tournament title this season. Those seniors include Loveland resident Mark Prampero, Landen residents Joe and Dan Chalifoux, Mason resident Erik Korst, West Chester residents Dan Brunck and Joe Hoffman and Montgomery resident Matt MacDowell. Reeder says this group have given the Crusaders a certain mindset from the start. "These guys are relentless," RPPnPr

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later. That's what we've been doing since June and hopefully they reap the benefits at the end of the season." The Crusaders are attempting a repeat of last season's state final four run. While that team advanced further than any in school history, this year's team is making a name for itself with its overall dominance of its opponents. "When you're playing l!-ris good you kind of are waiting for a wheel to fall off somewhere," Reeder said. "But this team so far has outworked everyone. I knew we would be good but I never expected this kind of start" kburch@communitypress.com 576-8255

Moeller prepares for league hockey tourney By Kyle Burch Community Press Staff Writer

The Southwest Ohio High School Hockey League (SWOSHL) tournament is set to get under way tomorrow at the South Metro skating center in Springboro. The SWOSHL consists of eight teams from the Cincinnati and Dayton areas divided into a north and south division. Moeller, Talawanda, St. Xavier and Sycamore make up the South division, while Beavercreek, Centerville, Alter, Troy and Springboro compete in the North division. ¡ Moeller enters the tournament as defending league champions and holds the No. 2 seed in the South Division, they will take on St Xavier in the first round The Crusaders started the season with 20 consecutive victories, finishing with an overall record of 22-3 and 9-1 in the league.. Head coach Mike Reeder says

About the tlumment What: Southwest Ohio High School Hockey League Tournament When: Thursday; Feb. 9 â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday, Feb. 12 . Where: South Metro Sating Center, Springboro, OH. Schedule: Thursday, Feb. g, 7 p.m, Sycamore vs. Talawanda Friday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m., Moeller vs. St Xavier Saturday, Feb. 11, 4 p.~. South Division championship Sycamore/Talawanda w:nner vs. Moeller/St Xavier winner. Sunday, Feb. 12. 5:30 p.m., South Division champion vs. North division champion

the league tournament always provides his team with great match-ups and an extremely competitive atmosphere. "I know that the ner. couple of games are going to be very competitive," Reeder said. "When you

play in tournaments you always need the breaks to go your way to win a championship and our guys are working real hard trying to get those breaks to fall our way." The Crusaders' lone league loss came in a 6-1 defeat to Talawanda, a team they beat 6-3 earlier this season. The Crusaders have relied on a strong group of players including; Matt MacDowell, Nathan Han, George Courtemanche, Je~ Dilillo throughout this season. They have received significant contributions from two brother duos, Joe and Dan Chalifoux and Erik and Jon Korst 'M of those guys have been contributing a lot for us this year," Reeder said. "If we want to advance far into this tournament our overall team defense has to improve ... butweve been working on that" kburch@communitypress.com 576-8255

Moeller, Sycamore teams prepare for league hockey tournament By Kyle Burch ·· Community Press Staff Writer

The Southwest Ohio High School Hockey League (SWOSHL) tournament is set to get under way tomorrow at the South Metro skating center in Springboro. The SWOSHL consists of eight teams from the Cincinnati and Dayton areas divided into a north and south division. Moeller, Talawanda, St. Xavier and Sycamore make up the South division, while Beavercreek, Centerville, Alter, Troy and Springboro compete in the North division. Moeller enters the tournament as defending league champions and holds the No. 2 seed in the South Division, they will take on St. Xavier in the first round. The Crusaders started the season with 20 consecutive victories, finishing with an overall record of 22-3 and 9-1 in the league. Head coach Mike Reeder says the league tournament always provides his team with great match-ups and an extremely competitive atmosphere. "I know that the next couple of games are going to be very competitive," Reeder said. "When you play in tournaments you always need the breaks to go your way to win a championship and our guys are working real hard trying to get those breaks to fall our way." The Crusaders' lone league loss came in a 6-1 defeat to Tala wanda, a team they beat 6-3 earlier this season. The Crusaders have relied on a strong group of players including; Matt MacDowell, Nathan Han, George Courtemanche, Jesse DiliUo throughout tllis season. They have received significant contributions from two brother duos, Joe and Dan Chalifoux and Erik and Jon Korst. ·~ of those guys have been contributing a lot for us this year," Reeder said. "If we want to advance far into tllis tournament our overall team defense has to improve ... but we've been working on that." The Sycamore Aviators enter the tournament with the South Division's No. 4 seed and wiU face No. 1 seed Talawanda in the first row1d. The Aves have struggled in league play tllis season, posting a 2-7-1 league record, while going ll-17 -1 overall. Head coach Derryck Cooper says if his team has had trouble staying competitive for the entire game but expects them to compete in its first round game. "It's been difficult at times this year, but we've put together some flashes of really good stuff," Cooper said. "If we can put together 45 minutes of consistent play we'll he much better."

Sycamore sopl'omore Dan Dukart moves the puck through traffic during a game earlier this season.

The Aviators have been led by a trio of offemivr stars in Dan Dukart, Sean Tob·n andJetiHeslin. Dukart is the Aves leading point scorer witl125 goals and 16 assists, while lbbin has scored 13 goals with 21 assists and Heslin has 12 goals and 20 assists. The goaltending duo of Kyle Esterkamp and Daniel Rubin has allowed its fair ::;harp of goals this year, but has '1een solid when looking at the overall numbers. The nvo have combined to stop around 85 percent of all shots this season. Cooper says his team wiU need some help from its bench if it is to make any kind of post season fWl. Seniors Paul Precurio, Derrick Baylor and John Krzyminski wiU be a big part of that contribution. "Obviously \\"e're a little top hem.y," Cooper said. "We are going to need to get some support from our second and third lines." kbu· cr\a)comrnunotypresS.C()m

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Moeller wins tourney The Moeller High School hockey team won the ninth annual Moeller Christmas tournament at the Cincinnati Gardens, giving the team a record of 19¡0 for the season. They defeated St. Xavier 3¡2 In the championship game. Team members are, from left: first row, Clay Pratt, Nate Han, Lauren Johnson, Chris Prampero, Vince DiGennaro, Dan Chalifoux; second row, Yvon Desfosses, Buddy Payne, Mary Ann Huffman, Chris Chalifoux, Matt MacDowell, George Courtemanche, Kyle Fitzpatrick, Joe Huffman, Nick Hartmann, Steve Bennett, Dan Brunck, Mike Reeder, Joe Chalifoux; third row, Jon Korst, Erik Korst, Mark Prampero.

The High School Lead·

Page 22 - February 2006

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worked this season" commented head ~ coach, Mike Reeder. This winning streak is quite an accomplishment! However, it is the success of the team off the ice that may be the real story. Sometimes, in our darkest moments, we can see God's light shine even brighter. That was definitely true after Pictured in the attached photo are: Front Row, kneeling: Head Coach Mike Reeder, Chris Prampero, Nate Han, the Moeller Joe Huffman, Joe Chalifoux, Andrew Quatkemeyer, Lauren Johnson, Jesse Dilillo, Ethan Grob, Dan Chalifoux Crusaders suffered Standing: Asst. Coaches Chris Chalifoux & Yvon Des Feosses, Dan Brunck,Vince Catino, Manager Warren their first league Holmes, Nick Hartmann, Steve Bennett, Roger Courtamanche, Erik Korst, George Courtemanche, Jon Korst, loss with a bitter Matt MacDowell, Kyle Fitzpatrick, Mark Prampero, and Asst. Coach Greg Macksood loss to their rival, Talawanda. The boys were not By Nanc); Dan, and Joe Chalifoux their first defeat. The reason the prepared for the defeat, and were Crusaders have had such a successful devastated. But, the very next day, the season is because of the depth of the he Moeller Ice Hockey team team had been scheduled to work at the was off to their best start ever, roster. They have drawn significant Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank. This with an impressive 20-0 contributions from everyone on the was a commitment that Coach Mike winning streak, including three team. "I think our record is a real Reeder had madf: before the team even tournament titles, before suffering tribute to how hard our guys have

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started practicing together. He felt that working at the Freestore Foodbank would be a good life lesson for the players, and it was keeping with the Moeller Mission to serve the community. Coach Reeder explained, "We've all been given a lot, and we need to give back a bit to our community". Though they were still upset at having lost their game, the players got up early and came to work for those less fortunate than themselves. They spent hours at the warehouse unloading pallets of food and repackaging it for distribution to the poor. They soon forgot their own problems as they thought about the people they were helping. It put their defeat in perspective. They were helping to prevent hunger in their own city. Here, the boys were working together as a team, but this time, their efforts would have far more impact.