NHC Teams Busy over MLK Weekend
Bowling Green getting their legs under them in return season
photo: members of the BG team visited the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on their trip to Ontario last weekend.
The MLK Weekend was a busy one for Northwest Hockey Conference teams. Some highlights:
- > St. John’s hosted the Mark Rasmus Memorial Tournament. UA defended its Rasmus tournament title and is now 28-0-0 on the season.
- > Northview lost to #4 St. Edward in the semifinals. St. Ed was defeated by Erie Cathedral Prep in the championship game.
- > Anthony Wayne and Perrysburg both went 3-0 in round robin play in the Ehrnfelt Memorial in Strongsville. The Generals topped the Yellow Jackets, 2-1, in the title game.
Most teams return to league play this week.
In the Red Division, the biggest game is St. John’s at Northview on Saturday. If the Wildcats can beat Perrysburg on Friday and the Titans the next day, they can move into sole possession of 1st place in the league standings.
Right after playing for the Ehrnfelt tournament crown, Anthony Wayne and Perrysburg will face each other for the first time in Red Division competition on Saturday.
RUFFNER, BOBCATS GETTING THEIR LEGS UNDER THEM
The Bowling Green Bobcats had to sit out the 2018-19 season after they were unable to get enough numbers to ice a team. Fast forward a year and, not only are the Bobcats back on the ice, they have a healthy number of young players gaining experience at the varsity level.
Head coach Jamie Ruffner says the team has made huge strides so far in a season that has been all about re-establishing a solid footing for one of the state’s iconic programs. They have done so while re-joining a much deeper NHC Red Division than the one they left.
“We are playing a pretty tough schedule and our kids have continued to get better every day,” said Ruffner. “Playing tougher competition has enabled us to understand what it takes to play at a high level, game in and game out, and the commitment it takes to find success at this level.”
Ruffner points to Shane Cassin, Nick Powers, Luke Johnson, Nolan Huss and Brayden Clauson – all sophomores – as players who have stepped up this season and started to take control of the team.
“They have leadership qualities that have helped stabilize this team so far,” he said. “We continue to stress the importance of doing things right on and off the ice and this core group of young players have helped push that agenda for our team.”
Ruffner and his staff are happy with the strides they have made and feel like a foundation has been laid for the long-term viability and success of the program just one year after having to shut things down.
“The coaching staff is extremely excited about the future of Bobcat Hockey,” said Ruffner. “We have a good young core that continues to get better.”
--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest
