Wheeling Park’s ice hockey have played their first five games of the season, and they currently have a 3-2 record. The schedule is packed full of top notch PA teams with a couple games against WV teams to decide seeding. The players are optimistic about the season, and they are excited for what it may hold. 

“In my opinion this is the most solid team we’ve had in my four years of playing varsity hockey at park and I know we can go all the way,” said senior Sam Kiger.

Park started their season with a loss with a 4-0 loss to North Catholic and a  4-1 victory against Moon-Area. In their third game, which was decided by a shoot out, the Patriots suffered a close loss to Butler. The team, most recently, was able to produce two emphatic wins against Hampton and Richland scoring eight goals in both games.

“The start of the season has been a little slow this year which is normal as we try and get into the groove of things,” said Senior Kaden Schnarr.

Although the Patriots have struggled to find a sense of consistency, they have plenty of time to settle into the season. The team has been focusing on developing feelings of cohesion among teammates along with intensifying their competitive drive.

“This year our team is working on two main things: being a good teammate and relentlessly competing. We believe that if we can solidify those two concepts, we have whatever it takes to beat any team,”said Kiger.

It is early in the season, but the hockey team already has all their eyes on winning a state championship. It will not come easy through as they are competing with six other teams in the state: Martinsburg, Charleston, Morgantown, Wheeling Central, and Linsly. 

“I am most excited about competing for a state championship this year,” said Schnarr.

The hockey team’s next game is today against North Catholic High School.