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Sports

Ice Force Primed For Playoff Hockey

Second season gives team hope for catching lightning in a bottle.

The great thing about high school hockey in Wisconsin is that no matter what your record during the regular season, every team still has a chance to advance to the state tournament and conceivably win the championship.  Some might contend that it renders the regular season useless.  Others believe that it opens the door to opportunity.

Regardless of your stance, the Greendale Ice Force open up their quest for the 2010-11 state championship when they face off against the Waukesha Wings on Tuesday night at the Eble Park Ice Arena.  Face off is set for 7:45 p.m.

There is a reason they say that playoff hockey is the second season.  Ice Force Coach John Kennedy explains.

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“Anything can happen and that’s why they play the games,” said Kennedy.  “We’ve had a lot of games that were close this year, and against Waukesha was one of them.  If we get a break here and there and play with confidence anything can happen.”

The Ice Force may be coming off a disappointing season with their 4-15-1 record, but that record wasn’t always indicative of how this team can play. Their deficiencies have been well documented regarding their roster issues, yet in most every game they were able to hang with every team they played until late in the third period before succumbing. 

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The Triple H line of Hoffman, Hardin, and Hart lead the Ice Force in scoring.  Junior Kyle Hoffman topped the point chart with 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 19 games.  Junior Jake Hardin added 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points, while Freshman Mitch Hart chipped in with 8 goals and 8 assists for 16 points.  Clearly these three are the poorly kept secret regarding the Ice Force scoring attack.

“I like our chances if we get the horses we want out there,” said Kennedy.  “It’s not going to be real physical.  I told the kids we really can’t go to war with some of these teams that outnumber us.  We gotta use our smarts and we have to stay out of the penalty box.  Those two things can take you a long way.”

Another key to the possible Ice Force success in this playoff run is goaltending.  Senior Joe Koepp will be between the pipes and will be called upon to keep his team alive.  Koepp is coming off a season where he posted a 4.77 goals against average and a .874 save percentage. If he can make the saves he is supposed to make and a few he probably isn’t, then the Ice Force have the potential to go a long way in this tournament.  This is Koepp’s chance to add his legacy to that history.

Critics will point to the poor record and the sparse roster and believe the team has little to no chance to advance.  Hockey people, on the other hand, know it is just a matter of hard work and effort.

“It’s going to take some strategy by slowing down the game,” said Kennedy.  “Get it to our tempo.  We can’t get into a track meet with this team, and make sure we take care of our own end. Take our chances on the powerplay and getting a break here and there.”

Unlike the NHL which plays a best of seven series, high school hockey is single elimination.  Win you advance, lose and your season is over. Playoff hockey is such a different mindset.  Players need to be able to sacrifice themselves and do whatever it takes to get a win.  Something Coach Kennedy made clear to his players.

“There is no tomorrow. You can quote cliché after cliché, but especially for the seniors there is no next year,” said Kennedy. “As long as they leave everything on the ice I’ll be satisfied with that.”

Despite the shortcomings and every obstacle the Ice Force has had to face this season, it would be almost fitting that they are able to find a tomorrow. Considering the rollercoaster of emotions that come out in playoff hockey, perhaps these boys will believe that tomorrow never dies.  With any luck the Ice Force will fight to play another day.    

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