A Test of Character

By: Dan Kazanjian

Throughout the course of the short, yet truly exhilerating rookie and sophmore seasons for Howell High School Hockey, the Rebels have in essence not faced much controversy. Sure, there have been fans from other schools bashing Howell, and wanting nothing more than them to crash and burn. But all in all Howell has overcome this and prided themselves on playing solid, hard-nosed hockey and of course doing what matters the most: winning.

But now, in their second season, Howell has hit a wall, and they find themselves face-to-face with what could be a brutal dissappointment of a season. Dissappointment? people might ask. As a second year program these boys have gone 14-4-4 to this point, how could you expect any better? Well here at Howell, from the coaches, to the players, and most importantly the fans we expect perfection. Last year, in their innaugural season, Howell stunned the state of New Jersey by overcoming odds to win the Dowd Cup, awarded to the Shore Conference Champions. With the excitement of this moment last year, anything short of a repeat would be a let down. And in 2009-2010, the Rebels did indeed fall short, losing in the semi-finals of the Shore Conference Playoffs, 7-2 to Toms River South.

Sure, there are many excuses that can be made, and rightfully so. Coming into Wednesday night's game ay Winding River, Howell was missing three players that were crucial to their previous success. The injuries to Kotch, Koschenash, and especially Leiro are in essence why Howell's immortality diminshed right? Wrong. Although of course this was a major factor in the semi-final game, Howell has been known to overcome things like this, and continue to play their game. On Wednesday night they were not able to do this and I think I speak for everyone when I say that they were embarrased on the ice.

In my last blog, I spoke about how talent has always been an enormous factor for the Rebels. With the loss of Leiro, Howell was forced to turn to their young, inexperienced players against Toms River South, and they were outworked, outhustled, and just outplayed for fourty-five minutes. There are no excuses; this was not Howell High School Hockey.

So where does Howell turn from here? They can go in with the attitude that if they can't win the shore conference, how are they ever going to make a run in states? Maybe it's true. Maybe down the stretch Howell just doesn't have the talent and the experience to beat teams that have been playing together for their entire lives. But I for one, have confidence in the character of this team. I've seen over the past two years how much this program has meant to the players and to the entire community and I know that the Howell Rebels will go out with a bang.

The road starts Monday, March 1, as Howell will take on the #22 seed West Windsor. How will Howell respond to their loss? Will they be able to play their game, or will they simply concede and play for next year? This is a challenge to the players. Lets see if they prove to everyone that they are an elite team in this state, and they have the character to overcome anything.