Friday, Jul. 04, 2008

Top-of-the-Line Play From Jaguars Squad

Hockey Journal

By John English

Contributing Writer

Things could not be going much better for the Flower Mound hockey team right now.

Over its last two games, the Jaguars have outscored their opponents by a total of 21-3, and three of the top four offensive players and the NYTEX summer league’s top goalie are all Jaguars.

Coach Knute Anderson said last Thursday’s 9-2 victory against Keller White was a good one for the team, but not entirely unexpected.

"Keller split their teams up, but they moved some of their better players to the White team," Anderson said. "About half of our roster was made up of JV kids in that game, so we’re really doing well.

"The coolest thing that I have seen emerge so far is that we are going to have two incredibly strong forward lines for the school season."

Sean O’Connor, Jake Newton and Dane Taylor make up the Jags top line, combining for 44 total points so far this season, but Anderson said to watch out out for the line of Adrian Acee, Danny Bell and Kennedy O’Leary as well.

"These guys are big and strong and can just fly," Anderson said. "I am really excited about that line."

Flower Mound had 10 shots on goal against Keller White, nine of which went in, and the team followed up last Thursday’s victory against the Indians with a 12-1 drubbing of Colleyville Heritage on Monday.

Newton scored five goals and three assists against Colleyville to finish with eight points for the game, and O’Connor scored a goal and seven assists for eight as well.

"We’re moving the puck around very effectively, and we’re telling the guys to look for quality shots," Anderson said.

Bryan Mills stopped 15 of 16 shots on goal in the contest.

Expectations are high for the Jaguars this season, but Anderson said he is not worried about his players getting caught up in the hype.

"I think if we had won state last year, I would really worry about that," Anderson said. "We’ve made it to the well twice now and haven’t taken a real big drink ... this year, our aim is a state championship, and our guys are hungry."

Over at Marcus, things went well for the Red team as it defeated Coppell last Thursday by a score of 3-1.

David Wirth, JP Quirion and Dane Nichols all scored for the Marauders in the contest.

Goaltender Sean Garvey stopped 13 of 14 shots on goal for Marcus.

The White team lost to Midlothian 5-3, but Jake Consolver scored a pair of goals and Justin George added a third.

Marcus White actually led the game 3-2 at the end of second period.