Findlay hockey seniors have 'unmatched chemistry'

AJ Savage calls it "unmatched chemistry." One of six seniors on the Findlay hockey team, Savage said that the bond the players have with each other is special, and it's a big reason the Trojans are Northwest Hockey Conference Red Division champions. "We all know each other so well, we know where everyone's going to be on the ice, we know what they're going to do, their strengths and their weaknesses," said Savage, who has 11 goals and 20 assists this season. "So, I think that really works well, and it shows out there." The Trojans went 21-9-4 this season, and 10-1-1 in conference games; their best season in years. The senior class, which includes Seth Russell, Noah Schramko, Nate Riegle, Kaleb Haubert, Colt Phillips and Savage, have drawn praise throughout the season from teammates and coach Ben Patey. "Those guys, they're unbelievable," Patey said. "They have set the standard. The standard is the standard because if them. They're a resilient group; they lead by example. They don't take a practice off, they don't take a workout off, they don't take games off. That work ethic is contagious." Junior Simon Tanner was asked what the seniors mean to the underclassmen. "Everything, man," he said. "They're the leaders of our team." They've also all made an impact on the ice. Riegle has eight goals and 21 assists, Schramko has eight goals and 10 assists, Haubert has three goals and three assists and Phillips has two goals and seven assists. On top of that, Russell, the goalkeeper set a program record this year with eight shutouts. "Everybody has been working hard," Haubert said. "We're one hell of a hockey team. When we keep working like this, it's gonna be hard to play us." But the story of the seniors, and their impact on the program, goes beyond this season. "They've been leaders, a lot of them, since they first set foot on campus at Findlay High School ," Patey said. "They all lead in a different way, but when you combine it, it's a great culture that they've created in the room, and all the players look up to them." Some of the players have known each other – and played with each other – for more than four years. "We grew up playing here, every single one of us," Phillips said. "It's probably been around a decade. It's been a long time." "We may not have known each other then, because we were so young," Riegle said, "but we've played together our whole lives." Haubert called the group a brotherhood. "We've been playing with each other since we were nine, 10 years old. We've always been with each other… We just work together really well." And Patey said that camaraderie has rubbed off on the younger players. "Our team, they feed off those guys," he said. "When those guys are going, and they're 99% of the time are, it's infectious." But the players also know their time together on the rink is running out. The Trojans celebrated their first NHC Red Division championship after beating St. John's Friday. "These are my brothers, and we've been playing together for I don't even know how many years," Savage said. "That's special. It's special to be part of this group. It's a special team we've got in here, and it's really an honor to be a part of it." Now, attention turns to the postseason. On Wednesday, the Sylvania Regional kicked off at the Tam-O-Shanter, with Anthony Wayne playing Perrysburg. The winner of that game will face Findlay at 6 p.m. Saturday, back in Sylvania. The Trojans beat Perrysburg twice this season: 4-0 on Jan. 5 and 3-1 on Jan. 27. They beat Anthony Wayne 4-3 on Dec. 20 and and 3-0 on Jan. 19. But Findlay isn't taking anything for granted. "We're excited to get the playoffs going, because we feel we're a team that can compete and get to Columbus," Patey said. "We have all the momentum. We feel like we can beat anybody," Russell said. "I think we've just got to play our game. That's what we've been doing this whole season. Don't play without confidence, don't play timidly." Findlay has every reason to be confident, especially with the seniors leading the way. "All of the seniors are some of the most hard-working people I've ever seen," Schramko said. "They all go out there and work hard. Coach always says, 'Seniors lead the team,' and I feel like that's what we do." And they'll have a chance to do it again Saturday.