Sled hockey shatters stereotypes at Alice Noble Ice Arena in Wooster
The Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO) designed the Sled Hockey Charity Games to expose sled hockey to the community and offer a chance for the Wildcats, which is the ASPO team, to demonstrate their skills on the ice. ASPO is a nonprofit organization that offers athletic opportunities to people with physical disabilities. As part of this mission, ASPO works to nullify misconceptions and stereotypes and educate the community.
During the first game, the Oilers and The College of Wooster competed on the sleds. Each team also had a Wildcats player to offer assistance on the ice. The Oilers won 2-1, scoring their two points early in the first period. Erik Knotts, an ASPO player, scored The College of Wooster’s goal.
Jonathan West, president of The College of Wooster Club Ice Hockey Team, said staying balanced was the most challenging aspect of the game. Further, West said, the team wants to participate again next year and had a lot of fun on the ice.
“It was a very surreal experience,” West said.
Lisa Followay, executive director of ASPO, said the ASPO players found it humorous to watch the able-bodied players fall over on the sleds. Valentino Hernandez, head coach for the Oilers, explained that the transition was the most difficult part for the Oilers. Maneuvering and navigating the sleds back and forth was a challenge. As a result, his players were in awe of the Wildcats as their sleds glided gracefully and smoothly across the ice.
“They (Oilers) came up with their own strategy. They figured if they can’t keep up with them, they’re just going to stay around the net,” Hernandez said.
Following the first game, the Wildcats took to the ice with their novice players. This enabled them to get game experience and showcase their skills. The Oilers scored two points during this period. The more advanced players went in the second and third periods and scored three goals total. The Wildcats ended up with the win 3-2.
Lisa Followay’s son, Casey Followay, said that the Oilers are getting the hang of the sleds and that they had a tough time beating them. This is the third year the Oilers have participated in the charity game.
Jake McCullaugh, a Wooster Oilers hockey player, said that learning to steer was the most difficult part of the game. He agreed that they did get better as they played and got used to the sleds. Following the game, community members tried out the sleds themselves to get a feel for the experience.
“Each chance that we have to put on an event helps us shatter perceptions and promote adaptive sports in the community,” Followay said.