Inline Ties One, Wins One
Cats tie Walled Lake Northern,
and Novi 4-3 over Howell
5/13/2006 by Scott Olson and John Smith

Novi's newest varsity program has made a turn in the right direction and it's coming at the precise time. In their last 4 games the Novi Wildcats have gone 3-0-1 and seem to be peeking just in time for this weekends state tournament.

"The coaching staff has been on the kids hard about focusing and improving everyday and it is starting to show," said coach Smith.

"We knew coming into this that they would struggle in the beginning especially the kids making the transition from the ice hockey team. For the most part the ice players had to throw every system that they learned out the window and re-program their minds for the in-line game. After 6 weeks we are starting to look like a competitive in-line hockey team," said Associate Coach Dave Zarem.

Thursday's contest against Walled Lake Northern proved to be a great match up as both teams found themselves with several scoring chances. After being down 2-0 to WLN, both goals scored shorthanded. Novi hung tough and pulled themselves together, playing stingy defense and earning a well deserved come from beginning tie. Novi had 3 different goal scorers and team captain Greg Morrisette deposited the game tying goal late, to earn a point for the cats.

Sunday's match up against KVC foe Howell turned out to another barn burner. Again Novi was down early 3-0 as Howell seemed to capitalize on all of the cats first period mistakes. However it wouldn't take long for Novi to take charge and control most of the play throughout the 2nd and 3rd periods. Novi scored 4 unanswered goals to get their first big win in the program's history.

"We really pulled together and began to create space by moving the puck. I am beginning to really like what I see and we can can only get better," said associate coach Brad Zarem.

Again Novi spread the scoring around with 4 different snipers. The game winner coming with only a minute to play in regulation from Mike Arnold, and what a beauty it was.

"Our 5 veteran in-line players shined tonight," said coach Smith. "We had scoring from Nick Carroll, Matt Renner and helpers from David Duquenel and Justin Ascenzo. Of course, as usual Chad Tindal was superb in net making some great saves."

The Novi Wildcats are third in the league as they trail second place Walled Lake Central by 1 point. The Cats are looking forward to the state tournament this weekend at Total Roller Hockey in Wixom.

"Our goal is to make the championship game and hopefully we will see what happens from there," said coach Smith.