Wildcats take victories over Oilers, local celebrities at charity sled hockey game

  • By Angela Workman
  • February 25, 2014
  • 376
                        
Summary: The fourth annual Wild Cats Sled Hockey Charity and Celebrity Game took place on Feb. 22 at Alice Noble Ice Arena. The Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO) hosts the event in order to improve community awareness and display the skills of the ASPO players. The Wildcats won both matches. The fourth annual Wild Cats Sled Hockey Charity and Celebrity Game returned to the ice on Feb. 22 at Alice Noble Ice Arena. Hosted by the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO), the games were designed to showcase the skills of the Wildcats and reintroduce the community to adaptive sports. During the charity games, ASPO invited the Wooster Oilers and a celebrity team of community members to compete on the ice. The Wildcats won the celebrity match 4-1. Celebrity team members Dr. Chris Ranney of Milltown Family Physicians and Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce President Justin Starlin equated the experience to having their training wheels removed for the first time as a child. “They’re (the Wildcats) true athletes, there’s no doubt about it,” Starlin said. Following the game, many of the celebrity players reported the upper body strength was the most challenging part of the experience. “I think we knew we were going to embarrass ourselves, but we were proud to do it because it’s for a good cause. And it was wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of our competitors. They were smiling for two reasons, because it’s fun and two because they were beating us hard,” said celebrity team member Ohio Sen. Frank LaRose. Alice Noble Ice Arena assistant general manager Ryan Vogelsburger has been playing hockey all of his life. Following the match, Vogelsburger reported that it was significantly harder than stand-up hockey. “It was just fun to be invited. To get to support something like this,” Ranney said. Wooster City Schools Superintendent Michael Tefs said it’s hard to appreciate the challenge of the sleds without trying them out. Following both games, audience members had this opportunity on the ice. “It really was a lot of fun. I will tell you, I have an amazing respect and appreciation for the athleticism,” Tefs said. Following the celebrity game, the Wooster Oilers joined the Wildcats in the second contest. The Wildcats won 4-0. Wooster Oilers head coach Valentino Hernandez said the Oilers were worried about competing against the Wildcats. And for good reason. For four years in a row, the Wildcats have taken the victory. “Last year’s kids, they were exhausted, they didn’t realize how hard it was to actually maneuver on the ice using all their arm strength,” Hernandez added. ASPO executive director Lisa Followay reported the event drew $5,000. These funds will cover ice costs for the season and registration fees for tournaments. “The Wildcats had a blast. It is so much fun for them to have the advantage over people without disabilities when they are on the ice. They had the upper hand on the celebs and the Oilers,” Followay said. “We are so grateful for those that come out to support our team.”


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