February 19, 2006: The New Hampshire Wildcats employed a new strategy in their re-match with their arch-enemy Maine on Sunday and for the first period it appeared to be working, holding Maine to a 1 goal lead after the first period. The Wildcats had decided to place a spy on Maine Captain Peter Grosso, one of the PNESHL's top offensive players and defensive stalwarts. It worked well until Grosso figured out what was going on and turned the tides to Maine's advantage. "As soon as I heard Tom Carr and Ed (Clark) yelling at their players to stay with me even when they had the puck on offense, I knew what to do," Grosso said. " I just stayed high on offense and didn't get too deep on defense. They had a couple of players sticking with me and when I took myself out of the immediate action they went with me and it opened up the slot for us. With our offense, I'll take a 4 on 3 anytime."  The results showed with Maine's offense spreading out across the entire team with a number of well-orchestrated scoring chances. The end result was that Maine widened the gap, scoring 6 goals in the game, 2 better than they had the last time the two teams faced each other. Had it not been for the outstanding play of Wildcat goalie Aguinaldo Luis, who always turns in great performance against his good friends from Maine, the score might have been even worse.

Despite their close proximity, this is the last time the two teams are scheduled to face each other this year.  The 2006/2007 season will prove to be interesting as the teams are scheduled to face off 4 times in PNESHL play. The NH team will be significantly stronger with the additions of Paralympian Taylor Chace, and veterans Bob Stanford and Mike Geary. The Wildcats may pickup additional players from the Pennsylvania Center-Pedes too if the plans for a couple of Bugs to attend UNH come to fruition.  

Return to Home

Maine Sled Hockey Program
255 Pine Point Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
207-883-0420    207-885-5593 Fax
www.mainesledhockey.org
MaineSledHockey@maine.rr.com
Copyright © 2005, Maine Sled Hockey Program

Fast Facts: Sled hockey is one of the fastest growing disabled sports in the world with new sled hockey programs and sled hockey teams showing up everywhere. There are about 50 adult sled hockey teams and junior sled hockey teams in the USA. Sled hockey is played in several countries. Sweden claims to have originated sled hockey. The US Sled Hockey Team won the gold medal in the 2002 Paralympics. The Prudential Northeast Sled Hockey League is the first organized adult sled hockey league in the USA. Sled hockey players are extremely committed to the sport of sled hockey and regularly teach sled hockey clinics and participate in sled hockey outreach events and sled hockey exhibitions. Anyone wishing to try sled hockey should have ample opportunities to play.