Experience gives boys playoffs

Published: May 12, 2010

For coach Erick Cantrell and the varsity roller hockey team, this year’s season has had its ups and downs. The team was forced to play without some players for the first few games, but they were able to excel once the whole team became available.

“It started off tough because we really didnt have our whole team for every game,” senior goal tender Robbie Friedlein said. “[Some] players were still doing ice hockey, but then we played really well and won by a lot.”

On top of missing players in the beginning of the season, the team also felt the absence of last year’s seniors.

According to Cantrell, because of this his coaching approach took a complete 180 degree turn. He couldn’t rely on players that weren’t on the team anymore, this meant he had to rely on the team as a whole.

“I just rolled everyone out and played them all equally,” Cantrell said. “Last year we had a pretty young team, and now they have a year of experience under their belt.”

This year of experience led the team to the point on May 1 when the boys won their last two games against Francis Howell and Wentzville. These wins seeded them second in the state play-offs.

As of press time, the boys must beat Francis Howell in the semifinals May 6 in order to get to the state championship May 7.

“We have a really good chance of making it [to state],” sophomore Ryan Krakosky said. “We want the whole school to be there cheering us on.”

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