skip navigation

NHC Update:  Don’t Sleep on the Trojans

By www.nhchockey.com, 02/03/20, 3:15PM EST

Share

Findlay will impact NHC title chase

The Findlay Trojans have been fighting their way through a tough stretch of their schedule.  After kicking off the month of January with four straight wins, Findlay is just 1-4-2 over their last seven games. 

But a closer look at the schedule shows the Trojans have been playing some strong teams and playing them close.  The win came over Bowling Green on January 26, but Findlay also showed well recently against some elite competition from the Great Lakes Hockey League, tying a strong Shaker Heights team and sticking with #10 Holy Name (3-1) and #4 St. Edward (4-2) in a pair of close losses.

Findlay played one non-league game last week, dropping a 4-2 decision to the GLHL’s Walsh Jesuit Warriors on Friday.

Although the results have not been there as of late, Findlay head coach Ben Patey likes the way his team has been competing.

“We’re tough to play against and we take pride in that as our identity,” Patey said.  “Barring any setbacks, this weekend will be the first time we have had a healthy lineup in 3-4 weeks.”

The schedule does not get any easier between now and the Sylvania District Tournament, which will be seeded on February 12.  This weekend, the Trojans play the two teams still in contention for the Northwest Hockey Conference regular season title with a chance to play spoiler against Sylvania Northview Friday night and Toledo St. John’s on Saturday.

“Our goal from Day One is to be playing our best hockey of the year when the playoffs begin,” said Patey.  “Having two big games, followed by another big game next week against St. Francis, will prepare us for the level of play we will need to be at once the playoffs begin.  We understand that and are looking forward to the opportunity.”

Although picking up some wins before the playoffs start would make Patey happy, he realizes the Trojans’ position in the district picture is more or less established and he just wants to see his team keep working hard and get some momentum going as the games get bigger.

“It’s important, but not life or death,” Patey said.  “We always play to win.  We’ve had some adversity in regard to health over the past few weeks, but we haven’t quit, and we’ve continued to battle.”

NHC UPDATE

In the Red Division, Sylvania Northview’s victory over Toledo St. Francis Friday night paved the way for the Wildcats to win the regular season crown.  If they don’t win out, they leave the door open for Toledo St. John’s

After the 5pm Northview/AW or 7pm St. John’s/Findlay contests at Tam-O-Shanter on Saturday we will know who won the Red Division regular season title.

 

In the White Division, Southview defeated Lake Saturday night to split their head-to-head series. It was the Flyers’ first and only league loss.  If Southview can win their last two games the teams will then be co-Champions of the White Division.

In the 6-team White Division playoffs (Fremont opted not to participate), Southview and Lake will get byes, with the seeding for Whitmer, Clay, Springfield, and Maumee still up for grabs.

Read the full NHC update at www.nhchockey.com

 

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest