Lumen hockey success will depend on play of defensemen and goaltenders
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – The goals will come, that much Mike Wartella knows.
The Lumen Christi hockey coach has two of his top-three scorers from last year back in the mix.
But if success is going to find its way to the Lumen squad this winter, it’s going to do so on the back end, where some veteran defensemen will have to assist a pair of goalies still getting their feet wet in the game of hockey, and their position between the pipes.
“We graduated some key players from last year,” Wartella said, “but the most glaring was Michael Todd.”
The three-year varsity net minder was the backbone for the Titans, playing in all 26 games last year while finishing with a 13-12-1 record.
He had a 2.65 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage to go with one shutout.
Needless to say, he was good — very good.
“Right now we have two guys that are learning the game,” Wartella said of his goaltending due, senior John Fleming and sophomore Brogan Sullivan. “They are very hard workers. Both of them are very enthusiastic about being part of the team. The biggest positive I’ve seen is how these guys come out to practice and work their butts off. They will do whatever it takes.”
While graduated, Todd is back with the team in a coaching role.
Former Titans’ goalie Billy Carr is also assisting.
But it’s going to take time, patience and some quick adjusting.
That much Lumen has done already.
Facing Flint Powers Catholic, the Titans were overmatched in a 9-1 defeat to start the year.
The next time out, they held Allen Park Cabrini to 15 shots and won 9-2.
“So the biggest key for us this year is the defensive-zone coverage,” Wartella said simply. “We have to limit scoring chances.”
If they do, as mentioned before, there are plenty up front who can put the puck in the net.
Grant Smith led the team in scoring as a sophomore with 20 goals and 17 assists last year. He has five assists in two games.
Bo Bell was the third-leading scorer with 11 goals and 23 assists, and he already has three goals and two helpers.
Connor Mogle is new to the team and has one goal and four assists to join the other two as the leading scorers in the early going.
“This is a group that can play the way we need,” Wartella said. “On the defense, the top-five defenseman are all back from last year. They are skilled hockey payers. They understand the game. The key is staying focused through three periods.”
Wartella also said, although it’s still very early, that Fleming and Sullivan have taken huge strides since the first practice of the year.
“We play a tough schedule, being an independent team,” Wartella said about the season’s potential. “We’ll see some great competition, and that’s only going to help us. The goal for this team is to become very consistent at both ends of the ice. If we’re able to do that, get our goalies some confidence, and play the way we can, I like to think this is a group that can make a nice run come March.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.