Hockey Mid-Season Review/Thoughts

Thoughts so far: It’s been a rough start, but nobody has truly seen the real team we are because of injuries. Obviously we are a young team, and we have been trying to build up our chemistry because of the new guys this year. With a first-year head coach, the guys have had to adjust playstyles from Coach Tafel to Coach Hedengren.

Expectations for the 2nd half of the season: We have a big two weeks ahead of us in terms of conference games, and having the full team back gives us a chance to see who we are. 

What is your favorite team to watch OP play against? Why? Cranford, it’s always the most physical, and asides from the injuries from the team in recent years, it is always a great game and one of the best rivals that we play against.

Captain Kelly:

Thoughts so far: Season has gotten off to a bit of a bumpy start, but overall it’s been good to be back with the boys. Obviously, I want to win, and everyone else does too, and it’s just been unfortunate with some of the injuries from the guys including myself. If you look at our record and see 1-8 you think they must be younger or inexperienced, but we have had only 3 games with our number one line, and we have had six games against two of the top 25 teams in the state. 

Expectations for the 2nd half of the season: I feel really good about the second half of our season. We get a lighter schedule than the first half, and we can use the tougher games as lessons and hopefully play better against the weaker teams. I expect us to make a comeback in the Kelly and look for us to make a surprise run in the Union County Tournament. Teams won’t take us as seriously now that our record is what it is, but they don’t know that we are finally all healthy and ready for the rest of the season.

Favorite team to play against? Why? MKA. They are our toughest game every year. They are a well-coached, well-structured team and we usually get a good game in and of itself with our student section vs. theirs. 

CCM or Bauer? Bauer, I am Bauer’s only player. I have only a few CCM products and Bauer sticks are way more consistent and have a lot more pop.

Captain Reis:

Thoughts so far: Been tough, we are at a learning curve as a program, and nobody really knows that. We have a young core of players, Colin feels that our record does not prove who we are. We have played tough teams and have played fairly well against them, he feels that the team is way better than the record shows and he feels that it should be a better second half of the season. 

Expectations for the 2nd half of the season: He expects us to be on the positive side of games, it is important to start winning, and with wins comes confidence so it would be very important for the team to get some confidence especially since many of the players are young. Hopefully, more support from the rowdies could help us get some extra energy. 

Favorite team to play against? Why? MKA, they are a strong team, and he likes playing better teams because it proves who we are and is a good test. It’s always a good game and a good show out from the rowdies. We always play up to the occasion against them and we seem to have a decent rivalry with them. 

CCM or Bauer? Bauer is overall the better and more popular choice, he wears ccm skates and some other gear, but Bauer is the more reliable and more stable choice.