’Cats bounce back after slow start
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
Six games into the season, things were not looking promising for the Presque Isle Wildcat hockey team.
The ’Cats had a 1-5 record and even in the lone win had given up nine goals.
Presque Isle was outscored 39-12 during its five-game losing streak that spanned from Dec. 8-29.
Then, things started to go in a positive direction for coach Carl Flynn’s squad.
“Our whole team has tried to play better defense, which has taken some pressure off our defensemen and allowed them to shine,” Flynn said.
The result has been six victories in their last nine games heading into last Friday’s make-up game against Hampden Academy in Brewer. (Hampden won, 6-3.)
“I think we have vastly improved,” Flynn added. “Our second and third lines are playing tough defense and contributing some scoring and our first line continues to score and when we gain our matchups in games, our offense does very well overall.”
Senior captain Adam Flynn and junior assistant captain Tyler Seeley have led the offense along with sophomores Alex Michaud and Colin McKay.
Flynn scored the 100th point of his career recently and leads PI with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists). Seeley is right behind with 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists), while Alex Michaud has added 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) and McKay 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists).
Jillian Flynn has taken over as the starting goalie and the freshman has been impressive late in the season.
“Her goals against average continues to go down and her save percentage increases, which are both positive trends.”
Flynn is hoping his team’s strong play late in the season will continue through the playoffs.
“I’m told we’re the team that none of the higher seeds want to play us because they feel we are the most likely team to record an upset,” said the coach.
