Ashar Hockey once again shocks the league

"Upset of the year" was the term used a few times last night when the Ashar Hockey team overtook the talented HANC hockey team in a 3-2 victory out on Long Island.

Ashar goal tender Yoni Winfeild was virtually unbeatable, allowing in only 2 of the 3500 shots fired his way. Glove saves, blocker saves, kick save, diving saves. You name the save, Yoni made it.

Goalies can help keep a team in a game, but goalies alone can't win games. In order to win games a goalie needs a team behind him. With this win the league got a clear message that Ashar has that team.

Its important to remember that the teams we face look to beat us. We have let everyone know all season "what we are playing for".... "Championship". Sometimes in order to live up to that stated goal difficult coaching decisions need to be made. Coaches must take into account the size speed and ability of each player before sending them out on the court. No getting game time in no way reflects a team members importance to the team.

Josh Gold and Sam Gelman did not have a great game against HANC with out the help of players like Ari Minsky or Maxx Rimberg. Both Ari and Maxx drilling that defensive line hard all season long in our practices.

Oscar Fisher and Daniel Silvermintz did not kill a 4 on 2 powerplay against HANC's top four players by chance. It was the speedy Isaac Selter, Ross Chanofsky, Jeremy Rosenblatt and Josh Birmbaum who in scrimmages helped prepare Oscar and Daniel for this challenge.

Donny Fuchs and Jason Klein could not be the playmakers that they are without the practice they get playing against solid defensemen like Brian Frenkle, Jesse Schwalb or our backup goalie Jason Fischman.

Ashar's entire forward line knows how to battle hard for position in front of the net and along the boards simply because they practice against Joey Chesir, one of the league's strongest defenseman.

Half a dozen parents and grandparents made the close to 4 hour round trip drive to witness the Ashar Hockey team play this game and to cheer us on. Many knowing full well that their child may not even hit the court. (In fact none of them did.) They came to support the team however. They come to support our efforts of all season long. They came to support all our players whether they get court time or not. They support the team and see the value of every team members contribution. That is what team play is all about.

I asked Yoni Winfeild after the game if the cheers of those parents seated behind him kept him pumped up at all? His reply........ "It was great".

Truthfully................. it was really great for all of us.