Ice Cats unanimous No.1 going into playoffs

By Alec Stimac ‘19

Head Hockey Coach Pat O’Rourke ‘90 says the Prep team is currently 23-4-1 and is “playing a meat grinder of a schedule.”

The season is wrapping up with 3 tough weeks of competition left. He hopes it will prepare the team for states.

As for the players, the leading scorers on the team are senior captains Bain Kurtz and Mike McCaffrey. Kurtz has 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points and McCaffrey has had 11 goals and 23 assists totaling 34 points. Starting goaltender, junior Benny Savarino, has a 17-4-1 record with 5 shutouts, a 93.9% save percentage and a 1.77 goals against average.

Coach O’Rourke says other stellar players include senior defenseman Santino Pignatiello, junior forwards Connor McGowan, Eric Lile, and Charlie Klenkar, and sophomore standouts Michael Boehm, Greg Langermeier, Alex Bilardo, Joey Trobenter, Aidan Millett, and Cam Kurtz. Back-up goalie Nick Bernstein is 6-0 in net and many other youngsters are contributing, as well.

Be sure to get out and support the Ice Cats anytime you get the chance. Lately, the Wildcats have been dominating in all aspects.

Last Saturday, the Ice Cats were able to come out with a close win to the Hill Academy. One of the most elite teams in Canada. With an international roster, the Hill Academy came in on Friday night and with a point to prove, beating the Cats 4-1. This handed the wildcats only their third loss of the season.

Following the weekend split, the Wildcats will play in the MIHL Showcase in Trenton Michigan this weekend. The following weekend, the Wildcats will head north of the border once again, for the Barrow Tournament.

With the playoffs nearing closer, the Wildcats are playing some of their best hockey yet.