Inline Wildcats have a
very successful weekend
Novi goes 4-1 in state tournament
5/24/2006 by John Smith and Scott Olson

The Novi Inline hockey team opened some eyes this weekend at the 2nd annual high school state tournament hosted by the AAU. Since Inline hockey is not sanctioned by the MSHAA at this time the AAU has provided Michigan with solid guidelines for education and athletics. What a weekend it was as the Michigan AAU Inline hockey director Amy Carroll and staff did a superb job at accommodating all the schools that participated.

The Wildcats started off the weekend early with another excellent team effort in a league win Thursday night over Plymouth High 5-2. Friday was the beginning of the state tournament and again Novi continued their winning ways going 3-0 in round robin play with victories over Rochester, Canton and Fraser high schools.

Sunday was the medal round and Novi again faced stingy Plymouth, and came away with a 'W'. Advancing to the semi-final game, Novi faced the ever tough Walled Lake Western Warriors.

"We have similar teams and lost a hard fought battle in league play earlier in the season 5-3. I know the kids had something to prove," said Coach Brad Zarem

The only problem was that the Cats got off to a very slow start. The proving wouldn't come until late in the game as WLW bolted to 5-0 lead early, and after the first half Novi was down 6-3.

"I told the guys to stay positive and to not quit. A five goal deficit in roller hockey is like a 2-0 deficit in ice hockey," said Coach Smith.

In the second half Novi finally showed their colors and battled fiercely. After giving up an early goal in the 2nd the Cats had enough and countered with 5 unanswered goals to take a 8-7 lead with under 3 minutes to play in regulation.

"It was a great game to coach as the team really pulled together and gave themselves a chance to make it to the finals," said Coach Smith.

"I thought we were going to do it but WLW was not to be denied as the eventual state champs capitalized on a PP goal shortly after and iced the game with 2 more goals with a minute to play," said coach Zarem.

Novi succumbed to a 11-8 loss.

The Wildcats will finish their regular season play Thursday vs. Howell and have league playoffs beginning next week.