After wake-up call, Franklin Regional hockey finding success in Southeast Conference

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, December 14, 2018 | 8:06 PM

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There’s a moment during most every season where it’s gut-check time. A team’s season can go either way: regroup and rally or sink to the bottom of the standings and play for next season.

The Franklin Regional hockey team chose to regroup and rally following a 4-0 loss to PIHL Class AA Southeast Conference rival Baldwin.

“The defining moment for us was when we dropped a game against Baldwin and since then we’re been upward,” Franklin Regional coach Brian Kurtz said. “Quite honestly, we’re still trying to find our identity; we’re close.”

Kurtz didn’t lecture his team in the locker room following the loss to Baldwin (3-6, 3-3). Instead, he chose not to be caught in the moment and decided to address his team’s ugly loss a few days later at practice.

“You kind of have one of those practices that you don’t want to have,” Kurtz said. “It was sort of a wake-up call for everybody.”

The loss to Baldwin was a culmination of the little things that Franklin Regional (6-3, 2-3-1) wasn’t doing correctly coming together to make one big problem. Kurtz called what happened a “snowball effect.”

For a young team, the Panthers felt like the game was won before they even hit the ice. But what Franklin Regional didn’t plan for was Baldwin goalie Cole Shannon’s stellar effort between the pipes.

“That night, their goaltender was great,” Kurtz said. “He had some key saves at some key times and we could not capitalize. I really believe that a lot of your opportunities come off of your hard work, and they were the harder working team that night.”

The lackadaisical approach to the Baldwin game prompted a players-only meeting before the next practice. Forward Mathieu Sliva took charge of the situation.

“He called a team meeting prior to that practice,” Kurtz said. “Sliva has really stepped up and try to fill that (leadership) role. He’s definitely tried to support the coaching staff. He’s that extra voice to help get us to where we want to be.”

Needless to say, Sliva’s words ignited his team, and the Panthers have been playing inspired hockey since. Sliva ranks fourth on the team in points with 10 (3 goals, 7 assists).

Franklin Regional is sitting in fourth place in the Southeast Conference and has posted 3-1 record since the Baldwin loss. The Panthers’ only stumble came in a 3-2 loss to Mars in late November. Since then, Franklin Regional has outscored opponents 15-8 in four games.

“We’re in the thick of things, and we’re controlling our own destiny in making the playoffs,” Kurtz said. “We feel that we’re a better team than what we’ve shown so far.”

The Panthers are led by standout forward Odlrich Virag’s 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists). Forwards Kevin Cakanac and Trent Lunden are tied for second on the team with 11 points. Kurtz said Lunden is the benefactor of playing on the same line with Virag.

“(Virag’s) got a very, very good mindset and good hockey sense,” Kurtz said. “He’s kind of got the bulls-eye on his back, and he knows that he has to distribute the puck in order for us to be successful.”

Another area the Panthers need to mature is on the blue line. Kurtz said his defense is young and will need to grow up quick over the second half of the season. Goalie Daniel Soltesz has been tasked as the leader. He holds a 5-3 record in net and has seen more shots on goal than any other goalie in the Southeast Conference (364). Again, it’s a sign of a young defense.

“Our defensemen are very young,” Kurtz said. “Our team always starts and finishes with our goaltending, and Danny’s making all the saves he needs to make.”

If the season ended today, the Panthers would qualify for the postseason. But, there’s plenty of time for some positioning as the back half of the regular season schedule is loaded with conference rivals and, ironically enough, Franklin Regional will close out the season against Baldwin.

“Once we hit January, it’s going to be all conference play,” Kurtz said. “Each game is going to be crucial, and (there’s) big points that we need to get.”

William Whalen is a freelance writer.

Tags: Franklin Regional