Wooster Wildcats take sled hockey tournament 2-1

  • By Angela Workman
  • December 11, 2012
  • 397
                        
Summary: The Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO) hosted the Wildcats Winter Slam Sled Hockey Tournament Dec. 7-9 at Alice Noble Ice Arena. Four teams competed in the tournament and the Wooster Wildcats won 2-1 against the Grand Rapids Sled Wings. Wooster was again introduced to the world of adaptive sports from Dec. 7-9 at Alice Noble Ice Arena. The Wildcats Winter Slam Sled Hockey Tournament, hosted by the Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO), delivered competition and intensity before a revved up crowd. The tournament offered a peak into the sled hockey experience—educating and inspiring the community all at once. The Wooster Wildcats, Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins, Grand Rapids Sled Wings and the Columbus Blades competed in the tournament. The Wooster Wildcats won the championship 2-1 against the Grand Rapids Sled Wings. “We want our athletes to have the same opportunities for competition that able-bodied teams do. Tournaments make all of the practices, trainings and hard work pay off. There is only one other youth/junior sled hockey tournament that occurs in the state and that is in Columbus,” explained Lisa Followay, executive director of ASPO. Followay explained that sled hockey tournaments are still underdeveloped in Ohio. Therefore, part of ASPO’s mission is to provide these opportunities nearby. This mission is very much appreciated by families and players, who have an advocate in ASPO. The concept of adaptive sports means athletic equality and opportunity for individuals with physical disabilities, which had previously been denied. The tournament was the third time Kelli Anne Stallkamp was on the ice, representing the Wooster Wildcats. Her mother, Jeanna Stallkamp, was grinning as she described their experience with ASPO. “She absolutely loves it. It’s such a great opportunity for her. We didn’t know the first thing about the game. Everybody’s been so helpful, teaching her everything. She could barely sleep last night she was so excited,” Stallkamp said. “She told me after she did the first few practices that that’s what she wants to do, is be a hockey player when she grows up. That just tells you how much she really loves this.” Crystal Marx is another parent, whose twelve-year-old son enjoyed every aspect of the tournament. “I love watching it because it’s something he can do on his own. He’s not needing our assistance,” Marx said. “They get to hang out for the whole weekend. He just loves that part of it.” Additionally, Jodie Anderson, team coordinator for the Grand Rapids Sled Wings, said her team appreciated the competitive nature of the tournament. “They seem to be enjoying themselves and happy with the teams they’re playing against,” Anderson said. “For a lot of them, it’s just the most important thing to them.” In order to develop the new players, they were given the first four minutes of every period to learn the game at a slower pace. Also, a skills competition was held on Saturday afternoon. The skills included hardest shot, fastest skater, outstanding goalie, breakaway champion and stick handling. This gave the players the chance to showcase their skills and see where they ranked among peers. “The tournament went very well. We were complimented several times by other teams how well the tournament was organized and how much fun it was for the athletes,” Followay said.


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