Sylvania Northview won a huge league game on Saturday when they defeated Toledo St. John’s, 5-2, and moved to 8-1-0 in the Red Division of the Northwest Hockey Conference.

Northview now controls their own destiny and is assured that they will end the season atop the NHC standings if they win their remaining league games.

Wildcats head coach Steve Elliott says it is his standard procedure to play younger and less experienced players as much as possible during the first 2-3 months of any season to get them experience.

“This year in particular with so many new faces to our lineup we have spent more time with line combinations and worrying less about wins/losses and more about getting the team ready for this time of the year,” Elliott said.  “Kudos to our players.  We were able to do that while also staying in the hunt for the league chase.”

Now, as the calendar flips to February and the stakes are raised, the veteran coach is tweaking his line rotations a bit.

“As we approach the end of the season and the playoffs, we have gone to the whip a little more with our top-end players,” Elliott admitted.

The results – including, but not limited to the key win in the league race over the Titans – have been encouraging.

“As far as Saturday goes it was definitely a big win and probably in our top three games of the year,” he said.  “That, along with a tough loss in OT to St. Ed’s and a good win over Erie Prep over the MLK weekend hopefully shows we are starting to peak at the right time.”

Elliott likes how his team is playing with the post season around the corner.

“When we are disciplined both in our systems and staying out of the box we will be a tough out in the playoffs,” he said.  “That's what we did so well on Saturday.”

NHC UPDATE

With only three weeks left in the regular season, the league standings are taking shape, with some finishes being mathematically impossible. The White Division title might be decided this weekend, but the Red Division crown won’t be determined quite yet.

Each team can earn up to 24 points in its division (Red or White).

Red Division

Northview: 16-22 points (1st – 4th). With wins over Perrysburg & St. John’s, the Wildcats now control their own destiny: win remaining games and claim the regular season crown.

Lake: 20-24 points (1st – 2nd). With two more mercy wins, the Flyers are still undefeated in White Division play.

Southview: 14-22 points (1st – 4th). Must beat Lake this weekend to have a chance at finishing first.

Read more in the full NHC update at www.nhchockey.com

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest