'Back on the map'

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Utica Eisenhower senior Ryan Maloney, pictured earlier this season, helped lead the Eagles to a Division 1 state quarterfinal March 10.

Eisenhower hockey finishes season in state quarterfinal

The season may not have lasted as they hoped, but the 16 seniors on the Utica Eisenhower hockey team accomplished almost everything on their to-do list.

The Eagles wrapped up their season following an 8-3 loss to Howell High in a Division 1 state quarterfinal March 10 at Perani Arena in Flint. Along the way, they completed the turnaround from Ike’s 1-22-1 record in 2006-07 to 22-6 this season.

“They helped put us back on the map,” Eisenhower coach Bob Hall said March 11 of his veteran squad. 

“We were pretty disappointed with the outcome yesterday, but we focused on the positives afterwards. Three playoff games in a row, we played really well. We were MAC White champs and UCS champs. Overall, a great season.”

Against Howell, Hall said his team ran into an opponent that was similar to the Eagles in its physical veteran lineup.

“The game was closer than that final score,” Hall said. “After the first, it was 1-1, and after two, it was 3-1 or 4-1. We battled back to make it 5-3, but Howell is a big, strong fast team.”

The Eagles’ veteran players helped return the program to the heights it enjoyed when it made a 2005-06 D-1 state semifinals and reinvigorated excitement around the team.

“I could name them all; they all deserve it,” Hall said of his seniors. “Ryan Maloney, Justin Whitson, Mike Walter, Jeff Morey and Adam Nimtz, a lot of the seniors really stepped up this year and played well.

“It’s going to be sad to see these guys go. We have a lot of young guys coming up ready to go.”

And those young players know even though they’re graduating a good number of players, the Eagles’ outlook will be just as bright in 2010-11.

“The younger guys understand the expectations of the program,” Hall said. “We set the bar high, and we’re looking to raise the bar every year until we get to the final four and a state title.

“The reason the boys want to play for the program is the success of the program.”

Some of those young players will come from Ike’s 21-2 JV team, but tops among the returning players are varsity goalies Everet Bommarito, a junior, and sophomore Erik Rodak, who combined for a 2.00 goals against average and a .896 save percentage in 2009-10.

And to ensure his program doesn’t take a step back next year, Hall said he and his coaches will focus on bringing in players who are committed to the team and ready to do whatever it takes to help the Eagles reach their goals.

“We try to focus on kids with good character — kids who are not only good hockey players but have good character in the community,” Hall said. “Guys that want to be part of the program and not guys that they feel they are better than the program.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1029.