It was a good ending to an otherwise bad season for the Oxford Wildcats Varsity hockey team.
During the fourth annual Oxford Oldies game, featuring the Varsity team against their parents, teachers and coaches, the Wildcats came away with a decisive 11-6 victory, proving once again that ‘old guys can’t skate?. The Oldies team ? loaded with stars such as Oxford School’s Mr. Carson and Mr. Lynch, as well as Coaches Jeff Wolanin and Rick Ignagni ? put up a valiant fight, but could not manage the victory.
Although the Cats did manage to soundly thrash the old timers, they sought the help of four former Wildcats in order to do so. Before the game started, the four graduated Wildcats (Brandon Stevens, Glen Gagnon, Andrew Lawrence, and Paul Graney) were set to play for the old timers, but a last minute ‘signing? brought the former stars over to the ‘good side? because of the Varsity team’s severe lack of players. The move proved good, as Lawrence and Stevens accounted for most of the Wildcats? scoring.
Midway through the third period, Oxford sophomore Josh Henderson picked a fight with head coach Jeff Wolanin, and the two brawled at center ice before being separated by referees and other players. Of course the fight wasn’t for real, and the two were smiling and laughing afterwards.
Penalty shots, which were awarded throughout the game in place of two-minute minor penalties, were another aspect of the game that allowed fans to see something that they normally don’t see in league competition.
Aside from the lopsided scoring, the two teams appeared to be evenly matched. Both sides had several scoring chances, forcing the two goaltenders, Mike Stechschulte and Kyle Geiger, to make a lot of saves.
At the end of the game, both benches cleared for the final minute of play, and it was quite a unique scene to see goaltender Mike Stechschulte pick up the puck and make a mad dash for the other net. He was, of course, tackled before he could reach the blueline, and the game ended somewhat peacefully.
‘It was actually a lot of fun,? says Oxford’s Assistant Coach Ignagni. ‘It gives parents a perspective. They sit there in the stands and watch kids play, and it really gives them an idea of how tough it really can be to play the game.?
When asked if the game made him feel any younger, coach Ignagni replied, ‘Does it make me feel any younger? I’ll tell you what, it certainly makes me wish I could reclaim my youth.?