3/31/09 USA Hockey: Feature on Hatfield Ice Dogs
Hatfield Ice Dogs 16-U team makes nationals debut
March 31, 2009
By Aaron Bracy
Special to USAHockey.com
The whole is greater than the sum of their parts.
That’s been the key behind the success of the Hatfield Ice Dogs, who advanced to their first-ever USA Hockey National Tournament with a two-game sweep of the favored Delaware Ducks in the best-of-three Atlantic District Midget 16-and-under Tier II championship series.
“I would say we did well and we’ve made it through Districts because we had very unselfish players,” third-year Ice Dogs coach Ray George said. “They play as a team, play for one another, are extremely motivated and determined to succeed.
“We have three very balanced lines. Each player plays within the role given, and all excel in their given role. It leads to a real good, balanced team.”
The championship series was symbolic of the Dogs’ balance. Ten players registered points in their two victories, 4-2 in Game 1 on March 5 and 4-3 in overtime in Game 2 on March 7. Both games were played at Ice Line in West Chester, Pa.
“I think it’s the depth of our team,” center Tyler Markley, who scored two goals in the series—including the clincher in Game 2 at the 8:40 mark of the first overtime—said of the catalyst to the team’s success. “We have a bunch of goal scorers. We have four lines of solid kids on offense that can do it all. Every line can do everything you ask them to.”
That’s a luxury that many teams, who may be forced to rely on a top player or top line, don’t always have. Joe Camerlengo has a team-leading 52 goals this season for the Dogs, who have six players with 30 or more goals.
The balanced approach also has helped foster strong team chemistry for the Dogs, who are based out of Colmar, Pa.
“The kids enjoy one another and have a lot of fun,” George said.
Said team captain John Connolly, “Our chemistry on our team is key. We had a fairly tight team. It was like a family.”
Connolly said the team concept was vital against the higher-seeded and immensely talented Ducks, who finished just ahead of the Ice Dogs atop the East Division of the Delaware Valley Hockey League regular-season standings, with 47 points (23-1-1) while the Dogs had 43 (21-3-1).
“We played as a team, and we stuck together,” said Connolly, a center who registered two goals and an assist in the District championship series and leads the team with 112 points this season. “No one had any complaints about ice time; there was positive energy on the bench. And our goalie kept us in every game.”
Did he ever. Netminder Paul Sjostrom stood on his head, making 62 saves in the two games as the Dogs overcame a 67-37 shot disadvantage to advance.
Sjostrom credited his defense with keeping the shots to the outside, while admitting he was seeing the puck well against the Ducks. The goalie, from his unique perspective on the ice, echoed his teammates’ feelings on what has led the Dogs to Nationals, April 1-5 at The Summit Center in Chesterfield, Mo.
“I think it’s the depth of our team,” Sjostrom said. “We have four lines and we can put out every line and there’s a chance that line can score. Defense is pretty much the same and every defensive pairing [is strong].”
As well as the Dogs played in the regular season, and especially in the postseason, George had questions early on—not only about his team, but about what he was going to do in goal. The coach lost his goalie when his son, Tyler, moved on to Junior hockey and another top player, Matt Skala, who had 113 points (66 goals, 47 assists) last season, enrolled in prep school in New England.
But Sjostrom stepped into the net and has excelled this season, much like the entire team.
“I lost two very good players and I was a little concerned,” said George, whose teams lost in the District championship series each of the last two seasons. “But we had some real quality players try out, and put together an even better team than we had last season.
“We preach everything about the team, and play with an honest effort.”
“Team” is the key word. And the Dogs will bring that concept with them to Nationals and hope it will yield similar success.
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
