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NHC Race Starts to Take Shape

By Braeden Sample, 12/26/22, 11:30PM EST

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Holiday tournaments provide break in league play

There was a light schedule in the Northwest Hockey Conference in the days before Christmas.

In the only league game of the weekend, Anthony Wayne hosted Northview on December 22nd. The game was only 1-0 in favor of the Wildcats after 15 minutes, however Northview scored five goals in the second period and both teams tallied once in the final frame as the Wildcats got the 7-1 win. They now hold first place in the Red Division.

St. Francis traveled up to Novi, Michigan to play Northville [MI]. The Knights made their mark as they took the 6-1 win.

Whitmer also traveled to Normandy and, in a close game, finished the game with a 3-2 win.

LOOKING AHEAD

ANTHONY WAYNE (6-8-0, 0-4-0 RED DIVISION, 7th)

Holly Daze
12/27 - New Albany
12/28 - Dublin Jerome
12/28 – Benedictine
12/29 – Moeller
12/30 – Lenawee United [MI]      

Anthony Wayne’s struggles continued as they failed to get their first league win once again. The Generals have not won since December 2, a winless streak of seven games. However, they have an opportunity to turn it around this weekend. Anthony Wayne is 29th in the OHSAA according to myhockeyrankings.com, and all the teams they are playing are above them, but not by a lot, in the 19-27 range. Anthony Wayne also travels up to Michigan the day after Holly Daze to play Lenawee United. Some quality wins this weekend can help boost the Generals’ ranking and give them confidence heading into the new year.

BOWLING GREEN (8-6-2, 1-1-0 RED DIVISION, 4th)

Holly Daze
12/27 – Dublin Jerome
12/28 – Benedictine
12/28 – Moeller
12/29 – New Albany

Bowling Green is also competing in the Holly Daze at their home ice, playing the exact same opponents as AW. Bowling Green has not lost since December 4th, an unbeaten streak of five games. Bowling Green is higher on myhockeyrankings.com than every team that they play this weekend, so some big statement wins can help carry into the new year.

FINDLAY (8-5-0, 0-2-0 RED DIVISION, 6th)

Holly Daze
12/27 – New Albany
12/28 – Moeller
12/28 – Dublin Jerome
12/29 – Benedictine

Findlay is also playing the same schedule as Bowling Green and Anthony Wayne this weekend in the Holly Daze. Findlay is 2-5-0 in December after starting the season 6-0-0. The Trojans look to do really well in the tournament to help raise the spirits of some teammates that can help with league games in the new year. Findlay is still a scary team, but if the Trojans can find a way to go back to their winning ways, they could be very dangerous in league play and finally get that first league win.

NORTHVIEW (7-5-1, 3-0-1 RED DIVISION, 1st)

Brother James Tournament
12/28 – University School
12/29 – Orchard Park White [NY]
12/29 – Newark Generals
12/30 – TBD

Northview competes at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio for the Brother James Tournament. Their 7-1 win over Anthony Wayne over the weekend helped the Wildcats maintain 1st place in the Red Division over St. Francis. Northview is 4th in the state according to myhockeyrankings.com, and they get a tough challenge with University School being in 5th. A big weekend can carry momentum into the new year.

PERRYSBURG (7-5-1, 1-2-0 RED DIVISION, 5th)

Holly Daze
12/27 – Moeller
12/28 – Benedictine
12/28 – New Albany
12/29 – Dublin Jerome

All of the NHC teams competing in the Holly Daze tournament will play the same four teams, a good test to see how they all compare. Perrysburg hasn’t lost since their December 2nd game against St. Francis, winning five games in a row in that span. A good tournament this week can prove that they can compete in the NHC for a top spot with some of the top teams.

ST. FRANCIS (5-6-1, 3-1-0 RED DIVISION, 2nd)

Scott Miller Memorial Tournament (Traverse City)
12/28 – Bay City Central [MI]
12/29 – Saginaw Heritage [MI]/TC West [MI]
12/30 – TBD

St. Francis takes their skills up to Traverse City, Michigan to play some Michigan teams. It is a three-game bracket with St. Francis having the opportunity to play St. John’s in the final for a non-league showcase. St. Francis is 5-3-1 in the month of December, only losing to teams above them in myhockeyrankings.com, in the Top 6 to be exact. Winning the tournament can be a good boost for the team to continue the chase for NHC Red Division champs.

ST. JOHN’S (7-6-2, 2-0-1 RED DIVISION, 3rd)

Scott Miller Memorial Tournament (Traverse City)
12/28 – Salem [MI]
12/29 – Rockford [MI]/TC Central [MI]
12/30 – TBD

St. John’s also plays in the Scott Miller Memorial this week, possibly playing St. Francis on Friday. St. John’s is 4-3-2 in the month of December, including undefeated in league play, going 1-0-1. St. John’s continues to be a contender and competitor in the OHSAA and looks to keep that going with a tournament win.

WHITE DIVISION

Only three out of the five White Division teams play in between now and the New Year. Clay goes up to Michigan for a single game against Southgate Dearborn [MI]. Whitmer is playing in the CVCA Christmas Tournament in Cleveland. They will have a rematch with Normandy, they will also play CVCA, Twinsburg, and a TBD opponent. The Blue Devils will go up to Michigan on the 30th to play an unnamed opponent, and then will play the Bowling Green JV on New Year’s Eve.

--- Braeden Sample (@SticksAndStats) for Ohio Hockey Digest

Sticks and Stats: A blog for hockey stats