The hockey season is in full swing and the team is showing much improvement from last season. For Freedom, the team has gained one player, however, the team as a whole has gained players from other schools as well. Leaving the team after this season are three seniors total, two of which are Freedom players: Chase Grable and Aiden Pournaras. The team finished the season last year 1-16-1. They are very hopeful for this season and so far they have a record of 5-3.
Last season Grable was voted as the team’s assistant captain. Keeping that status, Grable was named captain this season, alongside Pournaras as assistant captain. Before the season started, the team began conditioning and practicing which consisted of both on-ice and off-ice training. Also to prepare for the season the team played Beaver in a scrimmage, which Central Valley (CV) won 4-0.
To start their regular season, the team played in a game against Carrick on Oct. 5. This was their whiteout game, in which they asked all of the fans to wear as much white to the game as possible. CV was able to secure the win with a final score of 7-3. Pournaras gained 5 total points that game, consisting of 2 goals and 3 assists. Grable was able to secure an assist as well. The team then played Burrel on Oct. 19, ending in a losing score of 9-2.
To bounce back, the team played an outstanding game on Oct. 26 vs. Trinity, finishing the game with a score of 12-3. Pournaras was the team point leader with a total of 6, consisting of 3 goals and 3 assists. Junior Noah Fessides gained a point as well from an assist. On Nov. 2, the team played Bishop Canevin, however, the game ended in another loss for CV by a score of 12-1. For the team’s first away game of the season, they traveled to Neshannock on Nov. 6 to take on the undefeated Lancers. After an intense game, the team pulled through with a 9-5 win. Pournaras led the team in points again with 2 goals and 5 assists for the game, along with Grable getting an assist.
The team held their senior night ceremony on Nov. 9, which took place before the game. After recognizing the three seniors along with their families, the team began their game against Wilmington. After holding the lead the entire game and through what could have been a comeback for Wilmington in the 3rd period, CV came out on top 8-4. Pournaras helped the team with 3 goals and 2 assists, along with Fessides scoring a goal and Grable getting an assist.
On Nov. 13, the team traveled to Knock for the second away game of the season. Unfortunately, the team was not able to win and went home after a 7-3 loss. They were quickly back on Nov. 16, when they took on Morgantown. In a very close game, with multiple back-and-forth goals from both teams, CV managed to secure the win with a final score of 9-7. Pournaras helped lead the team with 3 goals and 2 assists, scoring the first and last goals of the game for CV.
As of now, the team holds a record of 5-3, but the season has just begun. There is still much time for improvements individually and the team as a whole. With practice and patience, the team has a good chance of making it far this year. So far this season Pournaras has gotten 14 goals and 17 assists. Currently, Pournaras is leading the team in points with a total of 31. He is also leading the entire varsity league in points, along with his teammate holding the number 2 spot as well. This is a huge accomplishment for the entire CV team as well.
“I have very high hopes for this season. We started off the year strong, and I believe we could make a run for playoffs, which would be great being that it is my senior season,” Pournaras said.