Hoover Vikings

September 26, 2011

The Hoover Team is running Captain's practices on the ice twice a week already.  We have a numbe of new players to blend in with a solid returning group.  Our first Scrimmage is at Center Ice on 5 November starting at 3:40PM versus Wooster.

We are currenly training and fund driving.  If you are interested in sponsoring Hoover this year, please contact Knute Hankins at knute@neo.rr.com or call 330-323-6046. 

GO HOOVER!!!!!!

 

February 17, 2010

SEASON ENDS WITH 7-2 LOSS TO MAYFIELD IN KENT DISTRICT TOURNAMENT!

The Vikings were knocked out of the OHSAA Kent District Tournament in the first round by the Mayfield Heights Wildcats on Wednesday night.  The Wildcats took the early lead and held it throughout the game.  David Piero scored both goals for the Vikings, with Kevin Deane and T.R. Krucek assisting on both.  Ethan Bishop made 25 saves for Hoover, while the Vikings outshot the Wildcats 37-32 for the game.  The Wildcats will move on to play Shaker Heights in the second round of the tournament.

 

February 14, 2010

LET'S PLAY TWO!  VIKINGS WIN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES IN IMPRESSIVE STYLE!

The Vikings improved their overall record to 10-16 with two wins in a span of less than 2 hours at Parma-Ries Rink on Valentines Day.

In Game 1, the Vikings dismantled the Normandy Invaders - scoring 6 goals in the 1st period to take a 6-1 lead, and then coasted to victory with an 8-3 win.  Dave Werwinski scored for the Vikings at 1:32 of the 1st period (assisted by Eli Jones) and Kevin Deane put the Vikes up 2-0 at 3:15, this time with Mason Koonce getting the assist.  A Normandy goal at 4:06 pulled the Invaders within one, but Deane scored at 4:40 to put the Vikings back up by 2.  Dave Piero and T.R. Krucek assisted on Deane's second goal.  Deane completed a 1st period hat trick at 5:42, with Krucek and Jordan Oblein assisting.  Things settled down until Oblein scored on assists from Werwinski and Jones with 1:16 remaining in the period.  Matt Fernandez then got in on the scorring frenzy, putting one in with 0:47 showing on the clock, this time with Chaz Gordish getting the helper.

The Vikings cooled off in the 2nd period, failing to score, while allowing an Invader goal at 4:21, but the period ended with Hoover up 6-2.  Chaz Gordish banged home a goal off a Shane Saba assist at 2:43 into the 3rd to put the Vikings ahead 7-2.  Normandy scored to make it 7-3 with 7:47 to go in the game, but Oblein scored his second of the game with 0:51 remaining, assisted by Jones and Werwinski, to make the final 8-3.

Ethan Bishop made 11 saves in the 1st period, before leaving the game with a knee bruise.  Kirk Greenho stopped 10 of 12 shots over the final 2 periods to seal the victory.

The Vikings had little time to savor their victory, about 15 minutes to be exact, before taking the ice for Game 2 against the Trinity Trojans.  The Trojans came out strong, outshooting the Vikings 12-4 in the 1st period, but Kirk Greenho was on top of his game in goal.  A late goal by Kevin Deane gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead after the 1st period.

Unfortunately, we were not given a copy of the final score sheet - so details of the goals and assists for the game are not officially available.  However, the Vikings dominated the 2nd period after getting their second wind - outshooting the Trojans 17-6.  Eli Jones scored a powerplay goal to put Hoover up 2-0.  The line of Jones, Jordan Oblein and Dave Werwinski then combined for a second power play goal and an even strength goal in the 2nd period.

The Jones-Oblein-Werwinski line also accounted for the final Hoover goal in the 3rd period.  The Vikings finished with a 26-24 advantage in shots on goal for the game.  Kirk Greenho made 24 saves in recording the first Hoover shutout since December 7, 2007, when the Vikings shut out the Brecksville Bees 3-0.

The Vikings will return to the ice on Wednesday, February 17th at 8:00pm in the 1st round of the Kent District hockey tournament.  The Vikings will have a rematch with the Mayfield Heights Wildcats.

 

February 6, 2010

HOOVER ESCAPES WITH 7-6 OVERTIME WIN OVER WRA ON SENIOR NIGHT!

The Vikings built a big lead in the 2nd period, then saw it disappear early in the 3rd period, before rallying for a 7-6 overtime win over the Western Reserve Academy Pioneers on 'Senior Night' at Center Ice.

The Pioneers led 1-0 after one period, despite being outshot 10-8 by the Vikings.  It took only 15 seconds in the 2nd period for the Vikings to score the equalizer.  Dave Piero pulled an offensive zone faceoff back to T.R. Krucek, who scored from the right point with the Vikings on the powerplay.  Eli Jones put Hoover up 2-1 at 2:01 into the period, getting assists from Jordan Oblein and Dave Werwinski.  Daniel Murphy scored from the point just 30 seconds later to put the Vikings up 3-1, with Samuel Hankins and Boston Weber getting assists.  An unassisted goal by Kevin Deane with 5:53 remaining in the period put Hoover up 4-1.  The scoring barrage continued with Jordan Oblein scoring with 4:08 remaining, with Neal Greenho and Eli Jones assisting.  T.R. Krucek completed the Vikings scoring run with a goal at 56 seconds remaining, assisted by Dave Piero, to put Hoover up 6-1 after 2 periods.

The Vikings seemed to be cruising to a comfortable victory until the Pioneers erupted for 5 straight goals over a span of 2:45 to tie the game at 6-6 with 9:27 to play.  The Vikings managed to stop the bleeding and hold the Pioneers scoreless for the remainder of the period to force an 8 minute "sudden victory" overtime period.

The Vikings controlled the pace of play in the overtime, thanks to 2 penalties on the Pioneers, and T.R. Krucek scored a powerplay goal with 1:29 remaining to give the Vikings the victory.  The winning goal was assisted by Jordan Oblein and Neal Greenho.

The victory came in the last home game for seniors Neal Greenho, Jordan Oblein, T.R. Krucek, Dave Piero, Eli Jones and Kevin Deane, who were introduced, along with their parents in a senior recognition ceremony before the game.

The Vikings will take part in the "Last Chance Championship" tournament, being hosted by Normandy High at the Parma-Reis Rink next weekend (Feb 13-14).

 

February 3, 2010

SENIOR NIGHT IS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH

The Hoover Vikings hockey team will recognize its six senior players at the start of Saturday's final home game against the Western Reserve Academy Pioneers at 3:40pm at Center Ice.

 

January 31, 2010 

POLAR BEARS MAUL VIKINGS 7-2 IN SECOND MEETING THIS SEASON

There is very little good that can be said about the Vikings' performance against the Jackson Polar Bear hockey club on Sunday at Center Ice.  The Polar Bears built a 4-0 lead through the early part of the 2nd period, thanks in large part to a 5 minute major penalty on the Vikings late in the 1st period.

Kevin Deane's unassisted powerplay goal with 2:37 left in the 2nd period made it 4-1 and gave the Hoover fans some hope, but a Polar Bear goal just 17 seconds later put the momentum right back with the Bears.  A powerplay goal by David Piero, on a deflected shot from Eli Jones that was also assisted by Kevin Deane, with 12:05 remaining in the 3rd period made it 5-2.  But the Polar Bears once again answered with a goal just 22 seconds later to squash any hopes of a comeback.  The Vikings were outshot 34-27 for the game, and Ethan Bishop made 27 saves for Hoover.

 

January 30, 2010 

VIKINGS TOP COMETS 4-1 TO IMPROVE TO 4-5 IN WHITE EAST DIVISION PLAY

The Vikings rebounded from a tough loss to Chagrin Falls to get the best of the Solon Comets 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at Center Ice.  Hoover goalie Ethan Bishop had one of his best games of the season, making 34 saves for the Vikings, who were outshot by the Comets 31-10 over the last 2 periods.

The Vikings never trailed in the game, taking a 1-0 lead at 6:10 into the 1st period when Dave Piero redirected Neal Greenho's pass from the left point past the Solon goalie with the Vikings on the powerplay.  Kevin Deane was also credited with an assist on Piero's goal.  Another powerplay goal by Deane with 1:05 remaining in the 1st sent the teams to the first intermission with Hoover up 2-0.  Deane was assisted by Jordan Oblein and T.R. Krucek on his goal.

The Comets appeared ready to make a close game of it when they scored a powerplay goal of their own just 43 seconds into the 2nd period to make it 2-1.  Another powerplay goal by the Vikings, this time by Eli Jones, assisted by Oblein, at 3:54 into the 2nd period put Hoover back up by 3-1.  Jones added an even-strength goal, assisted by Mason Koonce, with 1:32 left in the 2nd to make it 4-1 Hoover going into the 3rd period.

The Comets threw everything they could at the Vikings in the 3rd period...outshooting the Vikings 24-5, but Ethan Bishop turned every shot away to preserve the victory.

Next up for the Vikings is a non-league game against the Jackson Polar Bears on Sunday at 3:40pm.

 

January 24, 2010 

VIKINGS FALL 7-2 TO CHAGRIN FALLS ENDING BARON CUP II HOPES

The Vikings needed a victory over the Chagrin Falls Tigers on Sunday night at "The Pond" to keep their Baron Cup II playoff hopes alive; unfortunately, the Tigers did not cooperate, taking a 7-2 victory on the strength of 3 short-handed goals.

The Tigers took the lead with a goal at 5:38 into the 1st period, but Kevin Deane scored off a T.R. Krucek assist with 3:25 remaining to tie the game after 1 period.  A Viking powerplay chance with 10:30 remaining in the 2nd period back-fired, when Chagrin Falls scored a short-handed goal with 9:09 to go.  Another powerplay chance with 2:15 left in the period had the same result, with the Tigers scoring at 1:34, but this time the Vikings managed to score a powerplay goal with 0:56 remaining to make it 3-2 going into the 3rd period.

It took only 56 seconds for Chagrin to take a 4-2 lead, and they put the game away with 2 goals in a 14 second span with just over 4 minutes remaining to put the game out of reach.  The Tigers added their 3rd short-handed goal with 2:29 remaining to make the final score 7-2.  Ethan Bishop stopped 33 shots, while Chagrin outshot Hoover 40-34 for the game.

The Vikings fall to 3-5 in league play, while Chagrin Falls improved to 4-2-1.  The Vikings host the Solon Comets on Saturday, January 30th at 3:40pm and will take on the Jackson Polar Bears on Sunday at 3:40pm.  Both games will be at Center Ice.

 

January 22, 2010 

VIKINGS FALL 7-5 TO MAYFIELD WILDCATS IN NON-LEAGUE MATCH-UP

The Vikings continued to struggle defensively, as they fell 7-5 to the Mayfield Wildcats in a non-league game at Center Ice on Friday night.

Mayfield took the lead with 6:40 to go in the 1st period, and added a second goal with 4:18 remaining, to take a 2-0 lead after one period, despite being outshot 10-8.

The Vikings got the offense going in the 2nd period, getting a goal from Eli Jones at 1:41 into the period that was assisted by Jordan Oblein and Mason Koonce.  The Vikings then tied the game at 2-2 on a goal by Kevin Deane (returning to action for the first time since December 28th) with 9:40 remaining in the period.  David Piero and T.R. Krucek were credited with assists on Deane's goal.  Mayfield retook the lead with 7:09 remaining, but Deane scored an unassisted, short-handed goal to tie it at 3-3 with 4:37 remaining.  However, Mayfield scored a powerplay goal of their own just 29 seconds later to retake the lead.

A powerplay goal by Mayfield at 2:41 into the 3rd period put them up 5-3.  Kevin Deane completed a hat trick at the 3:47 mark to pull the Vikings within 5-4, with T.R. Krucek getting an assist.  Mayfield increased the lead to 6-4 with 9:04 remaining, but the Vikings came back with on a powerplay goal by Krucek (with assists from Jones and Oblein) to pull within one with 2:58 remaining.  Mayfield added an empty netter with 6.6 seconds to go to make the final 7-5.  Kirk Greenho made 21 saves for the Vikings, who ended up with 38-28 advantage in shots on goal.

 

January 19, 2010 

HOOVER FALLS TO SOLON 5-3 IN KEY WHITE EAST DIVISION GAME

The Vikings needed a win against the Solon Comets to have a chance to qualify for the Baron Cup II playoff tournament, but the Comets held off the Vikings on Tuesday night at Gilmour Academy.

The Vikings came out strong, outshooting the Comets 14-7 in the 1st period, but the Comets still managed to take a 2-1 lead.  Solon scored a fluke goal on their first shift, which was answered by Eli Jones, with an assist from Jordan Oblein.  Solon scored a short-handed goal to take the lead.

T.R. Krucek's powerplay goal, which was assisted by goalie Ethan Bishop, pulled the Vikings even early in the 2nd period, but Solon scored 2 goals in the last minute of the period to go up 4-2.

Solon picked up the pace in the 3rd period, outshooting the Vikings 13-2, but each team was able to manage just one goal.  The Comets scored first to make it 5-2, before Eli Jones put in an unassisted goal to make the final score 5-3.  The Vikings fall to 3-4 in league play, while Solon improved to 4-1-1.

 

January 17, 2010 

WALSH POUNDS HOOVER 9-0 IN GAME 3 OF WALSH JESUIT TOURNAMENT

Coming off an emotional victory over Holy Name on Saturday, the Vikings were never in this game against the Red North Divison's Walsh Jesuit Warriors on Sunday afternoon.  The Vikings managed only 1 shot on goal in the 1st and 3rd periods, and the Warriors outshot them 37-5 for the game.

The Vikings return to White East Division play with in a rescheduled game with the Solon Comets on Tuesday, January 19th at 8:40pm at the Gilmour Academy arena.  This game was postponed due to weather from January 3rd.  The Vikings need a win to keep their chances of making the Baron Cup II playoffs alive.  Hoover currently sits in 4th place, with a 3-3 record, while Kenston is 5-0 and Chagrin Falls and Solon are both 3-1-1.

 

January 16, 2010 

HOOVER OUTLASTS HOLY NAME 6-5 IN GAME 2 OF WALSH JESUIT TOURNAMENT

The Vikings beat the Holy Name Green Wave 6-5 in the second game of the Walsh Jesuit Invitational on Saturday evening at the KSU Arena in a very tense and entertaining contest.  Holy Name got on the board first with an early goal at the 2:21 mark, but an unassisted goal by Eli Jones with 39 seconds to go in the period sent the teams to the locker room tied at 1-1 after one period.

The Green Wave took a 2-1 lead with 7:13 to go in the second, and this time it was T.R. Krucek who tied the game at 2-2, getting assists from Chaz Gordish and David Piero, with 5:13 remaining.  Neither team could take the lead in the remainder of the period, setting up an exciting 3rd period.

Jordan Oblein put the Vikes up 3-2 with a goal at 4:15 into the 3rd period - Piero got the lone assist.  The lead was very short-lived, with Holy Name scoring 15 seconds later to tie the game for the 3rd time.  The Green Wave moved ahead 4-3 at 7:18 into the period, forcing the Vikings to dig deep to pull out the win.  Boston Weber and Dave Piero set up Jordon Oblein's second goal of the game with 5:18 to go in the period to tie the game for the fourth time.  It took only 26 seconds for the David Werwinski to bury a shot, assisted by Eli Jones, that put the Vikings back in the lead.  Once again, Holy Name answered to tie the score at 5-5 just 39 seconds later.  The game appeared to be headed for overtime until Holy Name took a penalty with 3:28 remaining, then were hit with a bench minor for arguing the call that gave the Vikings a 5-on-3 powerplay chance.  The Vikings cashed in with 12 remaining on the powerplay when Eli Jones deflected T.R. Krucek's slapshot from the point out of mid-air and past the Green Wave goalie for the game winner with 1:40 remaining in the period.  The Vikings withstood a furious final 100 seconds to pull out the win.  Ethan Bishop made 24 saves for the game and both teams finished with 29 shots on goal.

 

January 15, 2010 

SHAKER TOPS HOOVER 5-4 IN GAME 1 OF WALSH JESUIT TOURNAMENT

The Shaker Heights Red Raiders came out very strong, outshooting the Vikings 19-5 in the 1st period, and controlling the puck for long stretches, but they could not put the Vikings away on the score board.  Shaker opened a 2-0 lead on goals at 8:57 and 9:39 into the period, and looked to be on their way to a blowout.  But, David Piero scored for the Vikings 22 seconds after the second Shaker goal to make it 2-1.  Jordan Oblein and Boston Weber picked up assists on Piero's goal.  Shaker went up 3-1 with 2:05 remaining in the 1st, but Eli Jones deflected a Neal Greenho shot from the point past the Shaker goalie with 1:01 remaining to make it 3-2 after 1 period.  David Werwinski also picked up an assist on Jones' goal.

The Vikes gained more control of the game in the 2nd period, with Shaker holding an 8-5 advantage in shots on goal.  Neither team was able to score until the Red Raiders put one in with 1:16 to go in the period to take a 4-2 lead.  A goal by T.R. Krucek, assisted by Jones and Werwinski, with just 14 seconds remaining pulled the Vikings back within a goal going into the 3rd period.

Eli Jones scored his second goal with 7:14 remaining in the game to tie the score at 4-4.  Daniel Murphy and Werwinski assisted on the goal.  The Vikings hopes to pull out the victory in regulation, or force an overtime, were dashed when Shaker scored the game winner with 4:49 remaining.  The Vikings were outshot 14-9 in the 3rd period, and 41-19 for the game.  Ethan Bishop finished with 36 saves for the Vikings.

The Vikings face the Holy Name Green Wave in Game 2 on Saturday at 6:00pm. 

 

January 10, 2010 

HOOVER BOUNCES BACK WITH 4-3 WIN OVER BENEDICTINE

The Vikings, still short 4 players, started quickly against the Benedictine High Bengals on Sunday afternoon at Center Ice and hung on for a key 4-3 victory in a White Division league game.

Eli Jones took a feed from Tyler Shepherd and scored just 36 seconds into the game to give the Vikings an early lead.  Chaz Gordish put in the rebound from an Eli Jones shot to put Hoover up 2-0 at 3:18 into the period.  Jones then put the Vikings up 3-0 with his second goal of the period at 8:22, short-handed to boot, with Dave Werwinski getting the assist.  Benedictine got on the board with 3:22 remaining in the period to make it 3-1 going to the 2nd period.  Ethan Bishop made 12 saves in the 1st period, as the Bengals outshot the Vikings 13-8.

The second period started badly, with Benedictine pulling to within 3-2 on a powerplay goal 23 seconds in.  T.R. Krucek responded with an unassisted, powerplay goal at 6:32 into the period to make it 4-2.  Neither team scored again in the period, with the Bengals again outshooting Hoover 15-7.  The Bengals made things interesting with a powerplay goal at 10:07 into the 3rd period, but the Vikngs were able to make the 4-3 lead stand up.  Ethan Bishop finished with 38 saves, and the Vikings were outshot 41-25 for the game.

The Vikings improved to 5-10 (3-3) for the season, while Benedictine fell to 5-14 (0-5).  The Vikings will be playing in the Walsh Jesuit Invitational Tournament next weekend at the KSU Ice Arena - taking on Shaker Heights on Friday at 9:45pm, Holy Name on Saturday at 6:00pm and Walsh Jesuit on Sunday at 3:00pm.

 

January 9, 2010 

UNDER-MANNED HOOVER SQUAD FALLS TO KENSTON 11-2 

The Vikings were without the services of Kevin Deane, Jordan Oblein and Matt Fernandez for this game against the undefeated Kenston Bombers, and the Bombers took advantage to overpower the Vikes 11-2 at The Pond in Auburn Townsip.  To make matters worse, David Piero's attempt to play with an ankle injury was short-lived, as he played sparingly and was unable return to the ice for the 3rd period.

Kenston broke the ice with a goal at 4:49 into the 1st period and went on to build a 5-0 lead after 1 period.  Eli Jones scored a powerplay goal, assisted by T.R. Krucek and Neal Greenho, to get the Vikings on the board in the 2nd period.  Kenston reeled off 4 scores of their own to make the score 9-1 after 2 periods.

Another Eli Jones goal, with an assist from Shane Saba, made the game 9-2 in the 3rd period, but the Bombers score twice more to win 11-2.  Ethan Bishop had 20 saves on 28 shots before being relieved by Kirk Greenho with 2:18 remaining in the 2nd period.  Greenho allowed 3 goals on 9 shots.  The Vikings fell to 4-10 (2-3) with the loss, while Kenston improved to 20-0 (5-0) with the win.

 

December 28, 2009

HOOVER TOPS CINCINNATI MOELLER 4-2 IN FOURTH GAME OF 2009 COUGAR HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA TOURNAMENT

The Vikings showed that they still have some fight left after 3 tough losses in the Cougar Holiday Extravaganza Tournament - getting a hard-earned 4-2 win over the Cincinnati Moeller Crusaders.

The Vikings were down 2 players going into the game, with Dave Piero and Matt Fernandez out with injuries.  But they held their own against the Crusaders in the early going, and when Kevin Deane scored at 5:12 into the 1st period, the Vikes had a 1-0 lead.  Eli Jones assisted on Deane's goal.  Deane and Jones combined again with 1:10 remaining to put the Vikings up 2-0 going into period two.

The Crusaders got on the board with a powerplay goal at 1:09 into the 2nd period.  The Vikes responded exactly 1 minute later with a powerplay goal by Eli Jones, assisted by Deane and Jordan Oblein, as all three players crashed the net.  The Crusaders closed to within 3-2 on a goal with 3:09 remaining in the period, setting up an exciting 3rd period.

The game took a turn for the worse with 11:50 remaining in the 3rd period when Kevin Deane took a big open ice hit and left the game, and Jordan Oblein was given a 5:00 unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ejected from the game at the same time.  The play of the game came during the 5:00 penaly kill when Chaz Gordish scored an unassisted, short-handed goal to put the Vikings up 4-2.  The Crusaders turned up the offensive pressure the rest of the game, but Ethan Bishop was stellar in goal, stopping all 14 shots in the 3rd period, and 32 for the game, as the Vikings held on for the win.  The Crusaders finished with a 34-28 edge in shots on goal.

The Crusaders went on to face Lake Catholic in the tournament championship game, with LC taking the trophy with a 5-3 win.

December 27, 2009

LAKE CATHOLIC TOPS HOOVER 8-3 IN THIRD GAME OF 2009 COUGAR HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA TOURNAMENT

The Vikings threw and early scare into the host Lake Catholic Cougars, but the depth of the Red North Division team was just too much for Hoover to handle over a full 3 periods.

Dave Piero's goal at 2:50 into the game put the Vikings ahead 1-0, and Kevin Deane's goal just 46 seconds later put the Cougars in a 2-0 hole early.  Mason Koonce picked up assists on both goals, while Jordan Oblein earned an assist on Deane's goal.

The Cougars came back strong to take a 3-2 lead by the end of the 1st period, then built the lead to 6-2 after 2 periods (including 2 short-handed goals).  Lake Catholic pushed the lead to 7-2 in the 3rd period, before T.R. Krucek scored at 7:09 of the 3rd period, getting assists from Deane and Koonce.

Kirk Greenho made 18 saves, while the Cougars had a slim 26-24 advantage in shots on goal.

 

December 27, 2009

CHAGRIN FALLS TOPS HOOVER 7-5 IN SECOND GAME OF 2009 COUGAR HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA TOURNAMENT

The Vikings played Chagrin Falls for the second time this season, and for the second time the Tigers won by 2 goals despite being outshot by Hoover.

Chagrin Falls took the early lead, but the Vikings responded with 2 goals to take a 2-1 lead after 1 period.  Kevin Deane scored at the 3:58 mark, with Jordan Oblein assisting.  David Piero's goal with 2:37 remaining in the period was assisted by Deane.

The Tigers tied it at 2-2 early in the 2nd period, but Neal Greenho put Hoover back in front at 3:10 of the 2nd, with Eli Jones getting the assist.  The Tigers ran off 3 straight to lead 5-3 going into the 3rd period.

Another goal by Chagrin just 10 seconds into the 3rd period appeared to bury the Vikings, but Kevin Deane responded with back-to-back goals at 49 seconds and 2:16 of the 3rd to pull the Vikings back to within 6-5.  The Tigers finally sealed the decision on a goal with 4:08 remaining to win 7-5.  Kirk Greenho made 27 saves in his second career start, as the Vikings outshot Chagrin 40-34 for the game.

 

 

December 26, 2009

HUDSON TOPS HOOVER 8-2 IN FIRST GAME OF 2009 COUGAR HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA TOURNAMENT

The High Explorers outshot the Vikings 36-26 on their way to an 8-2 victory in the opening game for each team at Mentor in the Lake Catholic "Cougar Holiday Extravaganza" Tournament.  Hudson led 3-1 after 1 period, taking the early lead at 4:22 into the game.  A goal by Jordan Oblein at 11 minutes, with assists from Kevin Deane and Eli Jones tied the game, but the Explorers score 2 more goals in the last 2:36 of the period.

The second period was all Hudson, with the Explorers expanding the lead to 6-1, while outshooting Hoover 13-5.  Kevin Deane opened the scoring with an unassisted goal just 18 seconds into the 3rd period, but that was all the offense the Vikings could muster against the Explorers defense.  The added 2 goals in the 3rd period to make the final score 8-2.  Ethan Bishop made 20 saves, and Kirk Greenho made 8 saves after entering the game with 2:47 remaining in the 2nd period.

The Vikings will face the Chagrin Falls Tigers in Game #2 at 11:45am on Sunday (12/27) and will take on the host Lake Catholic Cougars in Game #3 at 6:45pm.

 

December 16, 2009

POLAR BEARS TOP VIKINGS 4-2 IN THE 'BATTLE OF STARK COUNTY'

The Vikings and Polar Bears squared off in front of a large and loud crowd on Wednesday night at Center Ice.  Hoover finished the game with a 31-20 advantage in shots on goal, but the Polar Bears took better advantage of their chances to post a 4-2 victory and even the all-time series record at 5 wins apiece.

The Vikings took the early lead on a Kevin Deane goal at 2:49 into the 1st period, with David Piero picking up the assist.  The Vikings had a couple of other good scoring chances from short range, but could not capitalize on the chances.  Brad Ahbe scored at 6:40 to tie the score at 1-1 going into the 2nd period.  The Vikings outshot Jackson 12-7 for the period.

The Vikings again outshot the Polar Bears by a 13-5 margin in the 2nd period, but a short-handed, breakaway goal by Ahbe at 5:11 into the period put Jackson up 2-1.  The Vikings were unable to put the puck in the net and trailed going into the 3rd period.

Kevin Deane's second goal of the game at 5:26 into the 3rd pulled the Vikes back even at 2-2.  Eli Jones and T.R. Krucek picked up assists on Deane's goal.  But the Polar Bears took advantage of a turnover in the Vikings defensive zone to get an unassisted goal by Colby Hart that put Jackson ahead to stay with 8:35 remaining in the period.  Jackson sealed the win with another goal with 1:58 remaining to make the final score 4-2.  Jackson outshot the Vikings 8-6 in the 3rd period.

The Vikings are off until the Lake Catholic Holiday Extravaganza Tournament at Mentor on December 26-28.

 

December 13, 2009

VIKINGS SCORE 6 GOALS IN 3rd PERIOD IN WIN OVER WESTERN RESERVE ACADEMY 

The Vikings to an early 2-0 lead over the Western Reserve Academy Pioneers, then fell behind 4-2 before coming back in the 3rd period for an 8-6 win at KSU Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Eli Jones, Kevin Deane and Jordan Oblein had big offensive efforts for the Vikings.  Jones scored the first goal, assisted by Oblein and Deane at 2:55 into the game.  Deane scored 45 seconds later, assisted by Oblein.  The Pioneers roared back with 4 unanswered goals to lead 4-2 with 5:01 remaining in the 2nd period.  Jones' second goal was assisted by Boston Weber with 2:29 remaining and pulled the Vikings within 4-3 after 2 periods.

Deane scored his second goal with 9:59 reamining in the 3rd period, with Jones picking up another assist, to tie the game at 4-4.  But WRA pulled ahead just 13 seconds later.  A goal by Oblein, assisted by Deane and Tyler Shepherd, put the Vikes back even; and a powerplay goal by Jones - assisted by Oblein and T.R. Krucek but the Vikings up by 6-5 with 4:32 remaining.  WRA responded to tie the game at 6-6 with 3:56 remaining.  Deane scored the game winner with 33 seconds remaining, assisted by Jones and Oblein - and Oblein sealed the win with an empty net goal with 8 seconds to go - with Jones and Deane picking up assists.  Ethan Bishop had 27 saves in the win.

The Vikings will take on the Jackson Polar Bears at 7:10pm on Wednesday, December 16th at Center Ice.

 

December 11, 2009

VIKINGS FALL TO TIGERS 6-4 AT HOME 

The Vikings bounced back from a rough outing against Kenston on Sunday with a much better effort against the Chagrin Falls Tigers on Friday evening at Center Ice.  The Vikings took leads of 2-1 and 3-2, but couldn't hold on, eventually falling by a 6-4 margin.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead at 6:38 into the 1st period, but the Vikings tied the game on a goal by Boston Weber at 10:43, with John Desrosiers and Chaz Gordish picking up assists on the goal.  The Vikings went ahead 2-1 with 1:20 to go in the 1st on a goal by Kevin Deane that was assisted by Neal Greenho, but the Tigers tied the game at 2-2 on a goal 25 seconds later.

The Vikes retook the lead at 3-2 with 6:44 to go in the 2nd period when Jordan Oblein hammered home a rebound with Eli Jones and Deane getting the assists.  Chagrin Falls came back with goals at 3:55 and 2:14 remaining in the period to take a 4-3 lead, but Jones fed Deane for his 2nd goal of the game to knot the score at 4-4 with 1:21 to go in the period.  That lead was short-lived however, because the Tigers scored 28 seconds later to take a 5-4 lead into the 3rd period.

The Vikings failed to capitalize on 3 powerplay opportunities in the 3rd period, and surrendered the game clinching goal to Chagrin Falls with 38 seconds left in the game to fall to 1-2 in White East Division play.  Chagrin Falls improved to 3-0 in the division, and 6-1 overall.

The Vikings take on Western Reserve Academy at noon on Sunday at the KSU Arena.

 

December 6, 2009

KENSTON 'BOMBS' VIKINGS 10-2 IN HOME OPENER

The Kenston Bombers served notice that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the White East Division this season, as they ran away from the Vikings in the 2nd and 3rd periods of a 10-2 victory at Center Ice on Sunday afternoon.

The Bombers had the better of the action throughout the 1st period, but the Vikings kept them off the scoreboard until 1:19 remained in the period.  The Vikings responded to tie the score at 1-1 with a nice tic-tac-toe goal by Eli Jones from Jordan Oblein and Kevin Deane with 25 seconds remaining in the period.

The 2nd period was all Kenston, with the Bombers scoring 2 goals in the opening minute, and another 2 goals 32 seconds apart midway through the period to take a 5-1 lead.  Kevin Deane's unassisted, short handed goal with 6:37 remaining pulled the Vikings to within 5-2, but that was the last of th scoring for Hoover.

The Bombers scored 3 goals in a 22 second span of the 3rd period to put the game away, and added 2 powerplay goals late in the game to finish the 10-2 victory.  Ethan Bishop stopped 23 of 30 shots, and Kirk Greenho made 5 saves on 8 shots in the last 7 minutes for the Vikings.

The Vikings will host the Chagrin Falls Tigers on Friday, December 11th at 5:50pm at Center Ice.

 

December 5, 2009

HOOVER OUTLASTS BENEDICTINE TO WIN GCHSHL WHITE EAST OPENER

The Vikings opened the White East Division schedule with a nail-biter win over the Benedictine High Bengals on Saturday evening at Cleveland Heights.  The big ice at Cleveland Heights always seems to cause problems for the Vikings, who fell behind 1-0 after 1 period.  The Bengals scored at 1:10 into the period, and held the Vikes off the scoreboard despite a 6-3 shot advantage for the Vikings.

Things got worse for the Vikings in the 2nd period, with the Bengals scoring goals just 19 seconds apart at the midway point of the period to take a 3-0 lead.  But the Vikings rallied with 2 goals during a 4-on-4 situation, both by Kevin Deane.  Jordan Oblein assisted on the first goal, and combined with Neal Greenho to assist on the second.  A powerplay goal by Oblein just 29 seconds later pulled the Vikes into a 3-3 tie, with Deane and Greenho assisting.  It took the Bengals only 42 seconds to go back up by a goal.

The Vikings responded just 1:02 later, with 3:02 remaining in the 2nd period, on a 5-on-3 powerplay goal by T.R. Krucek that was again assisted by Oblein.  Eli Jones scored another powerplay goal with assists from Deane and Greenho with 2:19 remaining to put the ahead for the first time in the game at 5-4.

Benedictine came back to tie the game at 3:31 into the 3rd period, then retook the lead at 6-5 with 10:07 to go in the contest.  Krucek pulled the Vikings back even, with an assist from Jones with 9:28 remaining.  The Vikings scored what proved to be the game winner with 3:17 remaining when Krucek found Jones with a long pass to the Bengals blueline, and Eli scored the breakaway goal.  Ethan Bishop picked up his 1st GCHSHL win with 15 saves, as the Viking finished with a 26-21 shot advantage.

The Vikings host the Kenston Bombers at Center Ice tomorrow at 3:40pm.

 

November 29, 2009

HOOVER TO OPEN GCHSHL REGULAR SEASON ACTION THIS COMING WEEKEND

The Hoover Vikings will open the GCHSHL White Division regular season on Saturday, December 5th at 5:00pm against the Benedictine Bengals at the Cleveland Heights Recreation Center.  The Bengals are new to the White Division this season, having dropped down from the Red Division in the off-season.  The Vikes will have their home opener on Sunday, December 6th at 3:40pm against the Kenston Bombers, who are also new to the White Division, having moved up from the Blue Division in the off-season.

 

November 29, 2009

VIKINGS DROP FINAL GAME AT FROZENCREEK TO SPRINGBORO

The Springboro Panthers knocked off the Vikings by a 3-2 margin in the final game of the Beavercreek "Frozencreek" Tournament on Sunday morning.  The Vikings put out a respectable effort, despite playing without senior center Kevin Deane; and got a excellent effort in goal from freshman Kirk Greenho - who came up with 32 saves in his high school hockey debut.

Springboro took a 1-0 lead in the first period, scoring at the 7:41 mark.  The Panthers extended their advantage to 2-0 at 5:50 of the second period, and to 3-0 with 1 minute remaining in the second.  T.R. Krucek's unassisted goal with just 11 seconds remaining in the period gave the Vikings some momentum going into the final period.

The Vikings came out strong in the 3rd period, getting a goal from Mason Koonce (assisted by Jordan Oblein) just 56 seconds in to pull within 3-2.  However, the Vikes could not score the equalizer.  The Vikes were outshot by the Panthers 35-23, as the Vikings ran all 4 lines throughout the game.

 

November 28, 2009

VIKINGS COME UP SHORT IN GAME 3 VERSUS BEAVERCREEK

The Vikings went into game 3 needing a victory and 4 points to make it to the tournament championship game.  Things looked promising after Dave Piero assisted Eli Jones on a goal at the 5:19 mark of the 1st period to put the Vikings up 1-0 over the tournament host Beavercreek Beavers.

The Beavers came back to take the 2nd period by a 3-2 margin.  Kevin Deane put the Vikes up 2-0 at 1:29 into the 2nd, with Jordan Oblein and Mason Koonce assisting, but Beavercreek tied it at 2-2 with goals at 5:24 and 6:28.  An unassisted goal by T.R. Krucek put the Vikings back on top at 10:33 of the period, but the Beavers scored 1 minute later to tie the game at 3-3 and win the point for the period.

The Beavers put the game, and a spot in the championship game, away with 2 goals in the 3rd period.  The Vikings could not manage to find the back of the net, despite 12-7 for the period, and 40-19 for the game.

The Vikings will face the Springboro Panthers in the 3rd place consolation game on Sunday morning at 10:40am.

 

November 28, 2009

VIKINGS LOSE TO CENTERVILLE IN GAME 2

The Centerville Elks outlasted the Vikings in Game 2 of the Frozencreek Tournament on Saturday morning by a score of 4-2, and also took 4 of 5 points, sending the Vikes to third place in the tournament standings.

The Elks took a 2-0 lead in the 1st period, getting a goal just 1:24 into the period and with just 25 seconds remaining in the period.  The Vikings were outshot 13-4.  The Vikings came back to win the 2nd period 1-0 to pull to within 2-1.  Eli Jones put the Vikes on the scoreboard with a powerplay goal at 12:41 of the period, getting assists from Mason Koonce and T.R. Krucek.  The Elks continued to outshoot the Vikings by a 12-5 margin in the 2nd period.

Hoover tied the game on a Kevin Deane powerplay goal at 6:05 into the 3rd period, with Krucek and Jordan Oblein getting the assists.  The Elks answered with a goal just 46 seconds later, and finished off the win with an goal at the 12:13 mark.  Ethan Bishop stopped 33 of 37 shots for the game.

The Vikings will have to win, and take at least 4 points in Game 3 against Beavercreek to earn a Championship Game rematch with Centerville on Sunday.

 

The November 27, 2009

VIKINGS GET OFF TO GOOD START AT FROZENCREEK TOURNY

The Hoover Vikings opened the 2009-2010 regular season with a 7-3 win over the Troy Trojans in their first game of the Frozencreek Tournament in Kettering, OH.  The tournament uses a "per period" scoring system, and the Vikings took 4-1/2 of 5 points, putting them in 2nd place behind Centerville after 1 game.

The Vikes took a 1-0 lead at 1:20 into the game on a goal by Jordan Oblein, with Kevin Deane getting an assist.  The Trojans scored at 3:44 to tie the game, but the Vikings retook the lead at 10:44 on a goal by Eli Jones that was also assisted by Deane.  A Trojan goal just 50 seconds later tied the score at 2-2, and proved to be the last goal of the period - earning each team 1/2 point.

The Vikings scored at 5:12 of the 2nd period, getting a shorthanded goal from Neal Greenho, who's shot glanced off a Troy defenseman's stick and past the goalie.  Dave Werwinski and Deane assisted on the goal, which put the Vikes up 3-2.  Mason Koonce was credited with an unassisted goal at 12:35 of the 2nd period to put the Vikings up 4-2, and earn the Vikings 1 point for the period.

The Trojans opened the scoring in the 3rd period at the 3:07 mark, but the Vikings roared back with 3 unanswered goals to take the period and the game by a 7-3 final margin.  Eli Jones and Jordan Oblein assisted Kevin Deane at the 5:34 mark.  Oblein picked up his second goal of the game at the 12:08 mark, with Deane assisting in a 4-on-4 situation.  The final Viking goal was scored by David Piero, with Koonce and T.R. Krucek assisting at 14:06 of the 3rd period.

Ethan Bishop finished the game with 28 saves on 31 shots, as the Vikings outshot the Trojans 39-31 for the game.  The Vikings will face the Centerville Elks at 8:00am on Saturday.  The Elks took 5 points from the Springboro Panthers in their opening game, winning by a 5-1 margin.

 

November 22, 2009

VIKINGS CLOSE PRESEASON WITH SCRIMMAGE AGAINST NORMANDY

The Normandy Invaders hosted the Vikings in the final tune up for the regular season on Saturday night in Parma.  The action was fast paced, with the teams playing to a 2-2 tie in the 1st period.  The Invaders made the most of their scoring opportunities to win the 2nd period 4-0.  The Vikings came back strong in the 3rd period, outscoring Normandy 4-1, including a goal with 4.1 seconds remaining.

The Vikings now get ready to travel to travel to Kettering, Ohio for the Beavercreek "Frozencreek" Thanksgiving Tournament.  The Vies will face the Troy Trojans on Friday, then take on the Centerville Elks and Beavercreek Beavers on Saturday, closing with an opponent TBD on Sunday.

 

November 16, 2009

VIKINGS OFF TO GOOD START IN PRESEASON

The Hoover Vikings have put 3 good efforts together in preseason scrimmage action thus far.  The Vikes played the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs (White Division) after just 1 official practice on Saturday, November 7th at Center Ice.  The teams battled to a 0-0 score in the 1st period, the Vikes took the 2nd period 2-1, and the Bulldogs took the 3rd period 2-0.

The Vikings took on the Kent Roosevelt Roughriders (moving down to Blue Division) on November 12th at KSU, and the Vikes had the best of the action in all three periods, winning the 1st 5-3, the 2nd 2-0 and the 3rd 2-0.

The Vikings also outscored the Hudson Explorers (Red Division) on November 15th at Center Ice.  The Explorers were evaluating many of their "bubble" players for spots on the varsity roster, but the Vikings played well in all aspects of the game once again.  The 1st period ended tied 1-1, the Vikings took advantage of a 5-on-3 opportunity to start the 2nd period to score 2 goals within 12 seconds and went on to win the period 4-0, and the Vikes scored the only goal of the 3rd period.

Ethan Bishop has looked good in goal through the 3 scrimmages, playing into the 3rd period in each.  Kirk Greenho has seen action in the 3rd period of each scrimmage, and has allowed only 1 goal.

The Vikings will have their final preseason tune-up this coming Saturday, November 21st against the Parma-Reis Rink against the Normandy Invaders (White Division).

 

October 18, 2009

2009-2010 PRESEASON AND REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

The new preseason and regular season schedules have been added to the calendar.  The Vikings will open the preseason schedule with a home scrimmage against the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs on Saturday, November 7th at 3:40pm.  The Vikings will also host the Hudson Explorers on Sunday, November 15th at 3:40pm.  Hoover will travel to Kent Roosevelt and Normandy for away scrimmage.

The Vikings will open the regular season on the road at the Frozencreek Thanksgiving Tournament in Kettering, OH on November 27-29: where they will face the Troy Trojans, Centerville Elks and Beavercreek Beavers.  The Vikings will open GCHSHL White East Division action on Saturday, December 5th against the Benedictine Bengals at Cleveland Heights.  

February 28, 2009

SEASON ENDS WITH 5-0 LOSS TO GILMOUR ACADEMY!

The Vikings gave it a good effort in the OHSAA Kent District quarter final game with the Gilmour Academy Lancers, but they just could not convert any scoring chances and fell 5-0 to end the 2008-2009 season with a 19-11-2 overall record.

Gilmour scored 2 in the 1st period, 1 in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd to record the shutout victory.  The Vikings were outshot 37-25 for the game, with senior goalie Alex Palomba making 32 saves in his final appearance in net for Hoover.  Gilmour will go on to face Mentor Lake Catholic in the semi-final game on Tuesday night.  University School will face Shaker Heights in the other semi-final on Monday night.  Both games are at the KSU Ice Arena.

 

February 26, 2009

VIKINGS FACE-OFF WITH LANCERS ON SATURDAY!

The Hoover Vikings will play the Gilmour Academy Lancers in the quarter-finals of the OHSAA Kent District hockey tournament on Saturday at 3:00pm.  This will be the Vikings first ever meeting with the Lancers, who were the state runner-ups last season, losing to St. Edwards 3-1 in the championship game.  The winner of the Hoover-Gilmour game will face the winner of the Lake Catholic-Mentor game in the District semi-finals.

 

February 22, 2009

HOOVER OVER HUDSON IN THRILLING DOUBLE OVERTIME WIN!

It took 53 1/2 minutes to do it, but the Vikings outlasted the Hudson High Explorers to earn a 6-5 victory in the 2nd overtime in the 2nd round of the OHSSA District Hockey Tournament at KSU on Sunday.  Kevin Deane scored the game winner while the Vikings were on a 5-on-3 powerplay just 23 seconds into the 2nd overtime period.

The Vikings took the early lead in the 1st period, with T.R. Krucek scoring with 5:27 remaining and David Piero getting the assist.  Brett Evans put the Vikes up 2-0 with 4:12 remaining, with linemates Scott Saba and Kevin Deane assisting.  The Explorers responded with 2 goals in the last 2:17 of the period to make it a 2-2 tie going into the 1st intermission.  Alex Palomba stopped 8 of 10 shots for the period, as shots were even at 10 each.

Hudson took a 3-2 lead on a powerplay goal at 4:44 into the 2nd period, but the Vikings responded with a Brett Evans short-handed goal at the 8:27 mark to knot the score at 3-3.  Hudson tallied a short-handed goal of their own with 1:51 reamining to lead 4-3 after 2 periods.

Jeff Haberman fed Kevin Deane for a goal at 8:48 into the 3rd period to tie the game at 4-4.  Hudson retook the lead with 3:28 remaining, but Scott Saba scored to tie it 5-5 with 2:51 remaining (assisted by Evans).  The Vikings held off a furious Hudson attack at the end of regulation to force overtime.

The first 8 minute overtime period was scoreless, but the Vikings were able to draw 2 penalties in the last 2 minutes and carried a 5-on-3 powerplay into the 2nd overtime.  With fresh ice to work with, the Vikings powerplay unit was able to score the game winner, compliments of Kevin Deane, with assists from Evans and Haberman, just 23 seconds into the 2nd overtime.  Palomba finished with 30 saves for the Vikings, who will go on the District quarterfinal game against the Gilmour Academy Lancers on Saturday, February 28th at 3:00pm.

 

February 20, 2009

THREE VIKINGS EARN WHITE DIVISION ALL-STAR HONORS!

Congratulations to senior center Brett Evans on his selection to the 1st Team White Division All-League Team, and to senior defenseman James Hankins and junior forward Kevin Deane on their selection to the 2nd Team White Division All-League Team.  Well deserved honors for all 3 of these players.

 

February 19, 2009

HOOVER OUSTS WEST GEAUGA 7-1 TO MOVE ON IN KENT DISTRICT!

The Vikings outshot the West Geauga Ice Tigers 53-23 enroute to a 7-1 victory in the opening round of the Kent District Tournament at KSU Ice Arena on a snowy Thursday night.  Hoover led 2-1 after 1 period, then scored 4 unanswered goals in the 2nd period to go up 6-1, and added one more goal in the 3rd period.

Brett Evans picked up a hat trick, while Kevin Deane had 2 goals and David Werwinski and Eli Jones added one each.  Alex Palomba allowed the lone West Geauga goal in 2 periods betweeen the pipes and Ethan Bishop shut the Ice Tigers out in the 3rd period.

The Vikings will face the Hudson High Explorers on Sunday at 11:00am in the 2nd round of the District Tournament.  The Vikings and Explorers battled to a 2-2 OT time in the Walsh Jesuit Invitational Tournament in January.

 

February 11, 2009

OHSAA KENT DISTRICT TOURNAMENT STARTS NEXT WEEK!

The Vikings were voted the #8 seed among 24 teams in the Kent District bracket, and will face the West Geauga Tigers in a first round game at the KSU Arena on Thursday, February 19th at 8:00pm.  The winner of this game will go on to face the Hudson Explorers on Sunday, February 22nd at 11:00am.

 

February 9, 2009

HOPES FOR BARON CUP 2 TITLE SPOILED BY WESTERN RESERVE!

The Vikings fell short against the Western Reserve Academy Pioneers for the 2nd time in 4 days in the opening round of the GCHSHL Baron Cup 2 playoffs at the Brooklyn Recreation Center on Monday night.  The Pioneers led 2-0 after 2 period, and increased the lead to 4-0 early in the 2nd period before the Vikings showed any signs of life.

Kevin Deane's goal at 7:35 into the 2nd period finally got the Vikings on the scoreboard, with Brett Evans getting the assist.  WRA bumped the lead back to 4 before the end of the period to make it 5-1 going into the 3rd period.

Brett Evans scored at 4:28 into the 3rd period, with Scott Saba and Deane getting assists to make it 5-2; and when Saba scored just 27 seconds later the Vikings were back in the game with 10:05 to go in the game.  Deane and Evans registered assists on Saba's goal.  Another Saba goal with 4:39 remaining, again assisted by Deane and Evans, pulled the Vikings within 1 goal, but the Pioneers were able to hold the Vikings off for the remainder of regulation to earn the victory and advance to face Mentor in the semi-final round.

Max Payne made 36 saves for the Vikings, as the Pioneers outshot the Vikings 41-31 for the game.

 

February 7, 2009

VIKING SENIORS GET VICTORY IN HOME FINALE!

The Vikings honored their 6 graduating seniors before the final regular season game of the year at Center Ice on Saturday afternoon.  Brett Evans will finish his Hoover career as the all-time leader in games played, goals scored and total points.  Scotty Saba will finish as the all-time leader in assists.  James Hankins will finish in the top 10 all-time in total points.  Goalkeeper Alex Palomba is the all-time winningest goalie in Hoover history.  Defensemen Jeff Gill and Jeff Haberman conclude their careers having helped hold Hoover opponents to a 3.03 goals against average, while the team is now 66-41-5 in the 4 years that these 6 players have been part of the program.

The game began slowly for the Vikings, as the Amherst-Steele Comets scored 3:54 into the game to take the early lead.  Dave Piero put the rebound from a Jeff Gill shot past the Comets goalie with 3:19 remaining in the period to knot the score at 1-1.  Gill and Eli Jones were credited with assists on the Piero goal.  The Comets scored an unassisted goal just 20 seconds later to put them up 2-1 heading to the first intermission.

Kevin Deane fed Brett Evans for a goal at 1:02 into the 2nd period to tie the game at 2-2.  This was followed by an Eli Jones goal just 4 seconds later, with David Piero and James Hankins picking up assists, to put the Vikings ahead 3-2.  Jones found T.R. Krucek on the back door for a goal at 7:08 into the 2nd period, with Jeff Haberman getting the second assist; and the Vikings led 4-2 going into the 3rd period.

A Jeff Gill slapshot from the right point found the mark at 9:03 into the 3rd period, with Brett Evans and David Werwinski picking up assists, to put Hoover up 5-2.  Amherst scored with 54 seconds remaining to pull to within 5-3, but Hankins and Werwinski set up an Evans goal with 25 seconds remaining to make the final score 6-3.  Alex Palomba made 30 saves for the Vikings and picked up his 33rd career victory.  Hoover finishes at 6-2-1 in the White Division, while Amherst fell to 2-6-1.

The Vikings finished as the 4th seed for the Baron Cup 2 playoffs and will get a rematch with the 5th seeded Western Reserve Academy Pioneers on Monday, February 9th at 8:30pm at Brooklyn Recreation Center.  The Mentor Cardinals are #1 seed at 8-1-0, Rocky River is #2 at 7-1-1, Brecksville is #3 at 7-2-0 and Holy Name is #6 at 3-5-0 with a game against Olmsted Falls on Sunday.

 

February 6, 2009

PIONEERS OVER VIKINGS 3-1!

The Vikings stumbled tonight against the Western Reserve Academy Pioneers, with the #2 in the Baron Cup 2 tournament on the line.  The Vikings looked to be in the driver seat after scoring just 31 seconds into the game, with Brett Evans scoring and Mason Koonce and Scott Saba getting assists.

But the Vikings could not muster another score, despite having three 5-on-3 powerplay opportunities during the game.  The Pioneers eventually tied the game in the 2nd period, then went ahead with a goal at 3:09 into the 3rd period.  WRA's final goal came on a penalty shot with 6:53 remaining after goalie Max Payne was called for intentionally dislodging the net.  The loss drops Hoover to 5-2-1 in the White Division, while WRA finishes at 5-4-0.  Payne finished with 21 saves, while Hoover held a 39-24 advantage in shots on goal for the game.

 

January 31, 2009

VIKINGS FALL TO BLUE DEVILS 8-3!

Hoover hosted the Mt. Lebanon (PA) Blue Devils in a non-league game on Saturday night at Center Ice.  The Vikings were very gracious hosts in the first period, allowing the Blue Devils to build a 5-0 lead on a 17-6 shot advantage.

Give the team credit for not giving in after the poor 1st period performance, however, as they came out and played Mt. Lebanon even in the 2nd and 3rd periods.  Brett Evans got the Vikes on the score board at 2:17 into the 2nd period.  Scott Saba and Kevin Deane picked up assists on Evans' goal.  Deane and Evans combined again with 2:55 remaining in the 2nd to pull the Vikings to within 5-2, this time with Deane netting the goal.  Mt. Lebanon made it 6-2 on a goal with 43 left in the 2nd.

Mt. Lebanon went up 7-2 at 1:28 of the 3rd period.  James Hankins showed some nifty stick handling moves in the neutral zone, then took the puck in for an unassisted goal at 5:47 into the 3rd period to make it a 7-3 game.  The Blue Devils tacked on another goal with 58 seconds remaining to make an 8-3 final.

Goaltender Alex Palomba faced 17 shots in the 1st period, Max Payne face 11 shots in the 2nd and 3rd periods, and Ethan Bishop stopped 2 of 3 shots he faced in the final 3 minutes of the 3rd period.  Final shot totals were 31-24 in favor of the Blue Devils.

Hoover returns to action next weekend with the final 2 regular season games.  The Vikings face the Western Reserve Academy Pioneers on Friday at 5:00pm at KSU, and then host the Amherst-Steele Comets on Saturday at 3:40pm at Center Ice.

 

January 30, 2009

VIKINGS CONQUER INVADERS 8-2!

The Hoover Vikings improved to 5-1-1 in White Division play keeping a top 2 seed in the Baron Cup 2 playoffs a definite possibility with 2 games to play.  The Vikings outshot the Invaders 43-31, and Max Payne made 29 saves in a solid effort in goal.

An Eli Jones goal at 7:03 into the 1st period gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead, as David Piero and T.R. Krucek picked up assists.  Matt Fernandez made it 2-0 just 44 seconds later, with Jordan Oblein getting the assist.  Brett Evans struck again just 8 seconds later, with Kevin Deane and Scott Saba assisting, to put the Vikings up 3-0 in a span of just 52 seconds.

The scoring slowed down through the 2nd period, with the Vikings finally getting a fourth goal with 27 seconds remaining on a powerplay goal by Kevin Deane that was assisted by James Hankins.  The Vikings led 27-14 in shots on goal through 2 periods.

The Invaders got on the board with 2:23 gone in the 3rd period, but the Vikings' offense got back in gear after that, as they reeled off 4 consecutive goals to go ahead 8-1.  An unassisted goal by Oblein came a 3:31 into the 3rd.  Deane scored on the powerplay at 5:32, with Scott Saba getting another assist.  Fernandez picked up his 2nd goal of the game at 6:54, with assists by Oblein and Mason Koonce.  Deane completed his hat trick with 4-on-4 goal with 5:30 remaining, with Hankins and Evans getting helpers on the goal.  Normandy scored with 9 seconds remaining to make the final 8-2.

The Vikings face the Mt. Lebanon (PA) Blue Devils on Saturday night at 8:40pm in a non-league game.

 

January 27, 2009

TWO HOME GAMES FOR VIKINGS THIS WEEKEND!

The Hoover Vikings will host two games this coming weekend.  The Normandy High Invaders will visit Center Ice at 5:50pm Friday for a White Division league game.  Saturday night at 8:40pm the Mt. Lebanon (PA) Blue Devils will be in town to face the Vikings in a non-league contest.

 

January 25, 2009

VIKINGS OVER BEES 4-1 IN WHITE DIVISION MATCH-UP

The Vikings took care of business in a crucial White Division game on Sunday afternoon at the Brooklyn Recreation Center.  Brett Evans put the Vikings on the scoreboard just 21 seconds into the game, with Scott Saba assisting.  David Piero put Hoover up 2-0 with a goal at 2:01 into the game, with T.R. Krucek getting the assist.  The Bees outshot the Vikes 12-3 in the period, as the Vikings had several good chances that went wide of the net.

The 2nd period was evenly played, but neither team could find the back of the net until Scott Saba came through for Hoover with 1:49 remaining to open up a 3 goal lead.  Kevin Deane and Brett Evans assisted.

Brecksville scored with 2:48 left in the 3rd period to spoil Alex Palomba's shutout bid, but Eli Jones scored a powerplay goal (Krucek and Jeff Haberman assisting) with 0:58 remaining to make the final score 4-1.  Palomba finished with 31 saves on 32 shots, as the Vikings were outshot 32-21 for the game.

The Vikings win leap-frogged the team over both Brecksville and Western Reserve Academy in the White Division standings, as WRA lost 6-2 to Holy Name on Sunday night.  The current standings are:

1. Mentor  7-0-0  14 Pts.

2. Rocky River  5-1-1  11 Pts.

3. N. Canton Hoover  4-1-1  9 Pts.

4. WRA  4-2-0  8 Pts.

5. Brecksville  4-2-0  8 Pts.

6. Holy Name  3-4-0  6 Pts.

7. Amherst Steele  1-4-1  3 Pts.

8. Olmsted Falls  1-5-1  3 Pts.

9. Normandy  1-5-0  2 Pts.

10. Kent Roosevelt  0-6-0  0 Pts.

 

 

January 23, 2009

VIKINGS FALL TO MENTOR CARDINALS 5-4!

The Vikings lost a key White Division battle to the Mentor Cardinals on Friday evening at Center Ice.  Mentor improved their division leading record to 6-0-0, while Hoover fell to 3-1-1.

The Vikings were the first to get on the scoreboard when Kevin Deane scored with 2:46 left in the 1st period, with Jeff Gill getting the lone assist.  The Vikings outshot the Cardinals 10-8 for the period, with Max Payne getting the start in goal for Hoover.

The teams battled through 7:03 of the 2nd period before Mentor scored to tie the game at 1-1.  Shortly after that, both teams began a parade to the penalty box, with one Mentor player getting a 2-and-10 for checking from behind and another getting a 5-and-DQ for head butting a Hoover player.  Hoover picked up a number of minor penalties at the same time, and the teams played 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 for several minutes in the last half of the period.  Jordan Oblein scored with 2:57 remaining in the period to put the Vikings up 2-1, with Brett Evans picking up the assist.  A short-handed goal by Mentor with 2:05 left made it 2-2 going to the 3rd period.

The 3rd period was more cleanly played, and Mentor took at 3-2 lead at 4:30 into the period, then followed that with another goal just 14 seconds later to go up 4-2.  The Vikings got back into the game with 4:38 remaining on Kevin Deane's second goal, with Brett Evans and James Hankins assisting.  Deane then completed a hat trick with powerplay goal with 3:27 left to tie the game at 4-4.  Scott Saba and Brett Evans assisted on the tying goal.  Mentor retook the lead 5-4 on a goal with 2:54 remaining, and they managed to hold off the Vikings for the win.

The Vikes travel to Brooklyn to face the Brecksville Bees in another crucial White Division battle on Sunday at 4:15pm.

 

January 19, 2009

RED RAIDERS CONQUER THE VIKINGS IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!

As in Saturday's game against Shaker Heights, the Vikings took an early lead, however, this time they could not make it stick, as the Red Raiders came back to take the Walsh Jesuit Invitational Tournament championship trophy by a 4-2 margin.

David Werwinski fed Jordan Oblein for a goal at 8:01 into the 1st period, and the Vikings made it stand up for a 1-0 lead after 1 period.  Shaker Heights answered with a powerplay goal at the 7:12 mark of the 2nd period, and the period ended with the teams knotted at 1-1.  The shots were 17-15 in favor of Shaker through 2 periods.

Another Shaker powerplay goal at 2:11 into the 3rd period gave them a 2-1 lead, and they tacked on another goal at 5:51 to go up 3-1.  The Vikings refused to give up, and Scott Saba fed Brett Evans on a 4-on-1 break, and Brett put it past the Red Raider goalie to make it a 1 goal game with 5:11 remaining.  Unfortunately, Shaker Heights scored again only 24 seconds later to put the game away.  Alex Palomba stopped 23 of 27 shots for the game, while the final shot total was equal at 27 apiece.

 

January 18, 2009

VIKINGS HOLD ON FOR 2-2 OT TIE WITH HUDSON AND ADVANCE TO WALSH JESUIT INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!

The Vikings needed a win or a tie against the Hudson Explorers in order to earn a spot in the tournament championship game.  It wasn't easy, and it wasn't pretty, but the Vikings survived a 52 shot barrage by the Explorers to earn the tie.  Max Payne came up huge for the Vikings in making 50 saves, while the Vikings were outshot 52-19.

Just like last year, the Vikes took an early lead on the Explorers, only to see it disappear.  T.R. Krucek scored at 2:00 into the 1st period to take a 1-0 lead, with Eli Jones and Jeff Gill getting assists.  Krucek and Jones combined to put the Vikings up 2-0, with Jones scoring the powerplay goal at 4:50 into the period.

Hudson came roaring back with a goal the 5:50 into the 1st, followed by the tying goal at 8:06 to make it 2-2.  The Explorers continued to apply the majority of the offensive pressure through the 2nd and 3rd periods, but the Vikings were able to keep the puck out of the net.  The Explorers had a near goal in the OT period, but it was emphatically waved off by the referee because a Hudson player had dislodged the net. 

The Vikings will play the winner of the Walsh Jesuit vs. Shaker Heights game on Sunday afternoon on Monday night at 7:30pm for the tournament championship. 

 

 

January 17, 2009

VIKINGS DROP SHAKER IN GAME 2 AT WALSH INVITATIONAL!

The Vikings took down their second Red Divison foe of the season (Avon Lake was the first) with a 5-3 win over the Shaker Heights Red Raiders in tournament action this afternoon at the KSU Arena.  The Vikings came out hitting on all cylinders in the 1st period, outshooting the Red Raiders 18-8 and taking a 2-0 lead.  David Werwinski notched his first goal of the season after stealing the puck near center ice and getting a breakaway on the Shaker goalie at 7:21 into the period.  Scott Saba took a pass from Kevin Deane and scored with 3:10 remaining to make it 2-0.  The Vikings had several other good scoring chances in the period.

The Vikings added to their lead in the 2nd period, going up 3-0 on a Kevin Deane powerplay goal at 1:26 into the period.  Mason Koonce and Brett Evans assisted on the goal.  The Red Raiders tightened up their defense after that, and ended up outshooting the Vikings 10-5 for the period.

Shaker came out strong in the 3rd period, scoring at 4:53 in to make it 3-1.  Another Red Raider goal at 6:49 pulled the Raiders to within 3-2, and the momentum seemed to have swung Shakers way.  The Vikings responded with a short-handed goal by Evans at 8:55 into the period, with Deane and Jon Bishop getting the assists.  The Vikes added an insurance goal with 1:15 remaining when David Piero pulled the faceoff in the defensive zone back to Jon Bishop, and Jon sent the puck the length of the ice into an empty net.  Shaker scored a final goal with 1:01 remaining, but the Vikings held on for the 5-3 victory.

The Vikings will face the Hudson High Explorers in Game 3 on Sunday morning at 9:30am, with spot in the Championship Game on the line.

 

January 16, 2009

VIKINGS WIN TOURNAMENT OPENER IN OVERTIME!

The Vikings, facing Holy Name for the fourth time this season, managed a come-from-behind, overtime win in the opening game of the Walsh Jesuit Invitational Tournament.

The Vikings actually took  a 2-0 lead on a goal by Scott Saba at 5:37 into the 1st period, and a Brett Evans goal at 8 seconds into the 2nd period.  Evans and Kevin Deane assisted on Saba's goal; while Deane and Saba assisted on the Evans goal.  The Vikings ran into penalty trouble later in the 2nd period, and Holy Name scored two power play goals to tie the game 2-2 after 2 periods.

The Vikings penalty woes continued into the 3rd period, as the Green Wave scored 2 more goals early in the period to take a 4-2 lead.  The turning point of the game came with 4:10 remaining in the 3rd, when Jon Bishop scored an unassisted, short-handed goal to pull the Vikings back to within one goal.  Brett Evans tied the score at 4-4 when he scored an unassisted goal with 2:01 left, and the Vikings held on to force overtime.

It took only 16 seconds of overtime for Evans to complete the Vikings comback victory, depositing a rebound from a Jon Bishop shot past the Holy Name goalie.  Deane and Bishop were credited with assists on the winning goal.  Alex Palomba stopped 16 of 20 shots for the Vikings, who outshot Holy Name 27-20.

 

January 16, 2009

 WALSH JESUIT TOURNAMENT GAME TIME CHANGE TONIGHT!

The start time for the 1st tournament game against Holy Name at KSU Arena tonight has been moved up from 7:00pm to 5:00pm.  The Vikings will face Shaker Heights on Saturday at 3:00pm and Hudson on Sunday at 9:30am.

 

January 11, 2009

VIKINGS WIN AT 'THE Q'!

The Vikings returned to GCHSHL White Division action with a convincing 5-2 victory over the Holy Name Green Wave at Quicken Loans Arena.  The Vikings had beaten Holy Name twice already in holiday tournaments, and managed to make it three straight when it counted in league play.

Scott Saba poked a crossing feed from Brett Evans past the Green Wave goalkeeper just 36 seconds into the opening period to put Hoover up 1-0.  The scored remained unchanged until James Hankins took the puck in deep behind the goal, then broke out in front and stuffed the puck through the 5-hole for an unassisted goal with 2:02 remaining in the period.

The Vikings went up 3-0 just 19 seconds into the 2nd period when Evans and Saba assisted Kevin Deane on an even strength goal.  Neither team scored over the next 10 minutes, but Holy Name scored with 4:43 remaining to pull to within 3-1, and then to within 3-2 on a goal with 25 seconds left in the period.

The teams battled through most of the 3rd period without scoring, with Alex Palomba making several spectacular saves to keep Holy Name from tying the score.  The Vikes were able to get an insurance goal with 2:47 remaining, with Mason Koonce and Hankins assisting on a powerplay goal by Kevin Deane.  Hankins added an empty net goal (Deane assisting) with 3.6 seconds remaining to make the final 5-2.  Palomba finished with 25 saves, while the Green Wave had a narrow 27-24 edge in shots on goal for the game.

 

January 10, 2009

VIKINGS TAME TIGERS 5-3 TO IMPROVE TO 11-5-1 ON SEASON

For one of the few times this season, the Vikings were outshot by the Chagrin Falls Tigers by a 44-34 margin, but a strong 2nd period carried the Vikes to victory on Saturday afternoon on Saturday.

An unassited goal by T.R. Krucek at 9:33 into the 1st period gave the Vikings the early lead, but the Tigers were able to tie the score on a goal with 3:01 remaining to make it 1-1 after one period.  The Tigers had a commanding 17-9 lead in shots for the period.

The Vikings came out with more energy in the 2nd period, and were able to retake the lead at 2-1 on a goal by Brett Evans, assisted by Scott Saba, at 1:21 into the period.  That was followed by an unassisted goal by Evans 1:41 later to open up a 3-1 advantage.  Kevin Deane finished the 2nd period scoring barrage at 5:25 into the period, getting assists from Saba and James Hankins, to put the Vikes up 4-1.  The Vikings then had to kill a full 2 minute 5-on-3 powerplay chance for the Tigers, which was followed by a 57 second 5-on-3 powerplay for the Vikings, with neither team managing to score.  The Vikings outshot the Tigers 17-14 in the period.

Chagrin Falls pulled to within 4-2 at 3:07 into the 3rd period.  Kevin Deane was awarded a penalty shot when he was pulled down from behind by a Chagrin player as he was going in to score at the 3:47 mark.  Deane smoothly tucked the the puck around the Tigers goalie to score the penalty shot goal to put Hoover back up by 3.  The Vikings gave up a powerplay goal with 5:14 remaining to make the final score 5-3.  Max Payne finished with 41 saves for the Vikings, turning away many excellent scoring chances for the Tigers.

The Vikings return to White Division league action on Sunday against the Holy Name Green Wave at Quicken Loans Arena at 2:00pm.

 

January 8, 2009

VIKINGS START NEW YEAR WITH VICTORY OVER AVON LAKE

The first game of 2009 was a win for the Vikings, as they outshot the Avon Lake Shoremen 43-24 on their way to a 4-2 victory at Center Ice on Thursday night.  This was the Vikings first ever win against the Shoremen, who play in the Red South Division of the GCHSHL.

The Vikings struggled to put the Shoremen away, falling behind 1-0 at 3:56 into the first period.  Scott Saba scored to even the score at 8:45 of the 1st period, getting an assist from James Hankins.  A goal by Kevin Deane at 3:22 into the 2nd period, with Saba assisting, put Hoover up 2-1.  Buth the Vikings could