Miracle On Ice 2? Team Of Hockey Beginners Overcomes All Odds In Final Three minutes To Win Championship

The team posing for a photo following their unbelievable comeback. Front row L to R: Anthony Fovozzo, Zach Pejeau, Gabe Frost, Logan Cox, Ben Lishing and Sean Stroh. Second Row L to R: Nolan Borowy, Omar Khaled, Jacob Fovozzo, Luke McCann and Josh Litten. Back Row: Coaches Ron and Pat McCann. Not Pictured: Josh Wachs.

When the Winterhurst Hockey Association put together teams for the 2010-2011 Season, they ended up with four "Mite" (ages 5-8) teams. The fourth team, called "Mite White" within the Association, was comprised of just two boys who had ever played competitively before. So it goes without saying that this was a team of beginners. After their first regular season game, they showed it, losing 11-0 by mercy rule. To some, this might have been an indication of the entire season ahead. The team and parents could take solace in knowing that they would learn and improve a great deal, despite what the score might show.

The team would gradually improve their current fourth place spot in the CSHL Mite B Division standings. Then, in early January, the opportunity arose to be a part of the Raymond A. Robinson Memorial Tournament, sponsored by Cleveland Heights Hockey. This would be an opportunity to get  more games under their belt late in the season.  Quickly, it became something more...

They won game one on Friday, January 14 by a score of 5-3, coming back from a 3-0 deficit against Shaker Hts. Saturday brought two games, both wins, both 5-0 shutouts  - the first two of the season - for goalie #30 Jacob Fovozzo, over Cleveland Hts. and Parma. This insured a spot in Sunday's championship game, and the best was yet to come.

In the championship game, the team came out quickly, with #1 Ben Lishing scoring first for the Winterhurst Warriors. The first period would end with the score tied 1-1.

The second period would not be as kind, ending with Shaker Hts. holding a comfortable 4-2 lead. Nolan Borowy, #10, scored the only goal of the period for the Warriors.

Most of the third period was equally as frustrating, with Shaker Hts. extending its lead to 5-2 with just a few minutes left to play. It appeared that an incredible weekend of hockey success was coming to a close. With three minutes to play, the score remained 5-2.

Again, the best was yet to come.

With 2:15, Ben Lishing broke free again to make the score 5-3. They were making it respectable. Soon thereafter, a penalty would put Winterhurst on a power play. It didn't take long for #34 Zach Pejeau to take advantage, making the score 5-4 with 1:19 left in the game. Despair had given way to hope. Now confidence took over. Fans from the lobby were starting to stream in to watch. Fans in the stands were on their feet. The final minute saw several shots go wide. Then, after a face off in the Shaker zone, Lishing completed his hat trick with 35 seconds left. Regulation play ended with the score tied 5-5. Still, the best was yet to come.

The overtime format is somewhat different, putting just four skaters (plus a goalie) on the ice. This makes for quick play and often times, a quick overtime. The first team to score wins. After a few minutes, Nolan Borowy completed an unbelievable comeback, scoring his second goal to give a team of hockey beginners a victory expected of seasoned veterans. The players piled onto each other on the ice, then lined up to shake hands and receive individual trophies. The team also received a team championship trophy to bring back to Lakewood. "The players will all have a chance to take the trophy home for a few days," said coach Pat McCann. Then it will take its rightful place amongst the many trophies and banners at Serpentini Arena.

The season is still not over either! If you would like to enjoy more youth hockey right here in Lakewood, come and see the annual WHA Presidents Day weekend tournament at Winterhurst (and Brooklyn Arena), February 18-21. For more information on the Winterhurst Hockey Association, visit http://www.leagueathletics.com/?org=warriorhockey.com. You can even sign up your youngster to be a mini- warrior! Five of the players on this team got their start there and so can your hockey-loving youth!