Steel Valley Cup hockey rivalry set Monday at ‘Zone’

By Greg Gulas

BOARDMAN — The Canfield and Ursuline/Mooney hockey teams will renew their rivalry Monday in the inaugural Steel Valley Cup at the Ice Zone.

Faceoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. between Canfield, a member of the OHSAA-sanctioned Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League, and Ursuline/Mooney, which belongs to the North Coast High School Hockey League.

Funds raised from the game will be split between the two teams and will benefit both organizations financially.

It’s the trophy, however, that seems to be the foremost attraction for the teams.

“Everyone was in agreement that this would be a great way to honor the winner of the game, the loser obviously trying to win the trophy back the next time around,” said Canfield’s second-year coach, Randy Emery.

Canfield is 7-10 overall and 2-4 in league play, having split their last six outings.

The Thunder are 11-12 overall and 4-4 in their league, good enough for sixth-place in the 11-team loop.

The teams played Nov. 29 at the Ice Zone when the Thunder won 9-2.

If Canfield expects to reverse its fortunes they had better make the best of their scoring opportunities.

“The key for us is to remain disciplined and focused if we expect to win,” said Emery. “We have accumulated over 300 penalty minutes this season and that has been costly.

“We need to play smart hockey and play our best from goalie on out. Playing strong defense will be a key but the bigger key is when scoring opportunities present themselves, then we had better cash in because we aren’t going to outskate many teams.”

Canfield will go with freshman Roger Geiser in goal while the line of Riley Emery (13 goals, 10 assists, 23 points), Joe Geiser (17-5-22) and Scott Sittig (8-10-18) is the line that has inflicted the most damage on opponents this season.

Ursuline/Mooney’s squad is not sanctioned by the OHSAA because of its team make-up, counting players from four counties and 13 school districts.

The Thunder roster includes players from Maplewood, Garrettsville, Girard, Hubbard, Howland, McDonald, Neshannock (Pa.), East Palestine, Crestview and Columbiana and Struthers, as well as students from both Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline.

Scoring first and securing the early lead will be a key for Ursuline/Mooney coach Lou Morocco.

“Our scoring comes in bunches, playing like world beaters one game and then falling flat on our faces the next time out,” he said.

“Our lines must work together, a strong game in goal is key while solid teamwork will be necessary if we expect to win the cup,” Morocco said.

Jonathan Welsh, who has logged every minute this season for the Thunder, will start in net while Morocco expects production from the line of leading scorer Brian Styers (25-9-34), Alex Figuly (10-12-22) and Lou Morocco 11-11-22) to set the pace.

Dean Macklen (12-14-26), Ryan Demyan (6-5-11) and Phil Tate (6-9-15) will also need to step up their games, as will Tyler Emery (0-3-3), Josh Charleton (5-3-8) and Vince Fornes (8-7-15) if Ursuline/Mooney expects to defeat the Cardinals for the second time this season.

The game is scheduled to be broadcast live by WBBW-AM (1240).

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students with children under 12 and senior citizens admitted free of charge.

Further information can be obtained by calling 330 (702-0123).