As time progresses into the month of November, and the Central Valley hockey season unfolds, the Warriors have made themselves accustomed to competitive play. The Central Valley Warriors, who are made up of several schools across the area, including Freedom, kicked off the season 0-2 against Morgantown and Elizabeth Forward High School, but have swiftly turned that record around with back-to-back wins. However, the Warriors lost their most recent game, but overall improved their record to 2-3.
Their second game occurred at home against Elizabeth Forward High School, taking place on October 17. Although initially going down 1-0 to Elizabeth Forward, the team made a pushback, but ultimately lost after allowing two goals, closing the game 4-3 in regulation. Although the team lost, it was clear that the players learned lessons and that they have built personal bonds and respect for one another.
The next game of the season for the Warriors took place on Oct. 24 at home against Trinity. Central Valley’s Kevin Tomko (12) struck first with a shorthanded goal. The first two periods left a tied 3-3 game for the third. Just three minutes into the final period, Treyton Palocsik (10) scored his second goal of the game, and his third of the season. The Warriors closed the game, winning with a score of 6-4, three of those coming from the final frame.
The team finally hit the road again the following Monday, traveling to the Hess Ice Rink of Wilmington Area High School. The first two periods came and went — both scoreless. Both goalies, Central Valley’s Gavin Husk (11) and Wilmington’s Craig Patterson (11) kept the puck in play until the Warriors scored, courtesy of Connor Svaranowic (10). The Warriors kept it going with a goal just four minutes later, this one courtesy of Logan Sullivan (11). Overall, Central Valley took the night in a 2-1 win.
On Monday, Nov. 4, the Central Valley varsity hockey program hit the road again, this time traveling to play Bishop Canevin. The Warriors got on the board first with a goal, courtesy of Sullivan. Bishop Canevin quickly turned the game around; however, with three goals in just over three minutes. Isaac Grooms (11) and the Warriors did manage to get one back in the second period, with the assist being credited to Freedom’s Noah Fessides (12), but it wasn’t enough. Central Valley ultimately lost the game with a score of 6-2.
With five games of experience, Logan Sullivan leads the Central Valley varsity hockey program with four goals and one assist, combining for five points. Sullivan is currently on a point-per-game pace. Starting goalie Husk has posted a .829 save percentage and a 5.50 goals-against-average (GAA), while backup goaltender Jacob Cone (10) has posted a .846 save percentage and a 4.00 GAA.
The team still has some issues to work through this season, though. Even though the season is just beginning, the Warriors are five games in and still need to find their rhythm.
“We are all split off into groups, it doesn’t feel like one team,” Alec Lockwood (9) said.
Although the Warriors have started the season off with a 2-3 record, things are looking up for Central Valley. A lot of games thus far this season have been quite close matchups, and the Warriors have put up a fight for each and every goal. At the time of writing, the Warriors are next in action on Tuesday, Nov. 12, away against Connellsville.