Trojans and Wildcats turn rink into a battlefield

Big hit! A Widdifield Wildcats player lays out Mike McCrudden in a physical contest Wednesday night. Photo by Lucas Punkari.

By Lucas Punkari

In a contest that resembled more of a wrestling match than a hockey game, the West Ferris Trojans and Widdifield Wildcats played a knockdown-dragout affair on Wednesday night at Memorial Gardens, with the Trojans coming out on top 2-1.

“It’s the first part of the season right now and we’re still trying to find our hockey legs,” Trojans head coach Rick Mitchell said following the win.

“Conditioning is a big factor right now, we’ve only had these guys together for three practices and that’s what you’re seeing right now.

“I was pleased with some aspects of the game. In the second period we stepped it up and started too win all the races in the corners. We were also able to create a lot of opportunities with the forecheck, and while we didn’t put it in the net, I think we were able to take that momentum and carry it the rest of the way.”

Following a physical but scoreless opening frame - with only nine shots on goal combined for both teams - the Wildcats would get on the board 25 seconds into the second when Alain Pouliot slid the puck past the Trojans’ Greg Litner off a face-off.

West Ferris would respond five minutes later off of a faceoff of their own when Stephan Devost beat Wildcats goalkeeper Jeremy Roy. Both teams would trade chances throughout the rest of the period, but the game would remain tied heading into the third.

Halfway through the period it would be the Trojans taking the lead for good as Cam Legett banged in the rebound, making the score 2-1. The Wildcats ran into penalty trouble late in the third, preventing them from using an extra attacker to tie up the game.

After such a hard-hitting affair between the two teams, both coaches had different theories as to why the game turned into a physical battle.

“I think we have that type of player this year,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve lost nine players but the guys that have come onto the roster this year are a little more physical, more willing to go into the corners and battle for the puck.”

Wildcats head coach Bruce Cazabon believes the Trojans physical style of play was simply good strategy.

“Anybody who plays us physical right now will have an advantage because we’re a young team," Cazabon explained.

“West Ferris played a great game, put a lot of pressure on us and I would do the same thing if I was in their position.”