Troy, Ohio - For the tenth and eleventh times in history, the Troy Bruins will battle in-state rival Findlay Grrrowl in NJHL regular season play, set for this weekend inside the historic Hobart Arena in downtown Troy.
After clinching second place with a pair of road wins last weekend in Philadelphia, the Bruins (27-12-1) return home to the comfy confines of the historic Hobart Arena for their second to last home weekend series of their inaugural season, this time to host I-75 rival Findlay Grrrowl on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 1:30pm. Findlay makes their return to Hobart for the first time since September, when the Grrrowl played spoiler to the Bruins home opener, then fell to a vengeful Bruins club the following day. Currently in fifth place in the NJHL, the Grrrowl cling to the final playoff spot, distancing themselves from basement dweller Philadelphia, and can officially punch their playoff ticket with a pair of wins this weekend. Yet for the surging Bruins, the eagerly awaited return home will provide the biggest challenge to the Grrrowl all season.
After making several personnel adjustments prior to the February 10 trading deadline and roster lock, Bruins head coach Shane Hicke believes that the pieces are finally together to begin their chase for an inaugural season championship. Of the newest Bruins, forward Willie Boyle made an immediate impact against Philadelphia for his debut in a Troy uniform, scoring on both days of the series, and made his name heard throughout the league. Additionally, Flint, Michigan native and former captain of the CSHL's Flint Generals John Rubel has added depth to the Bruins offense and defense, despite still wearing a loaned pair of skates. Rubel's story is unique in a way only hockey could provide, as after leaving hockey at the end of last season, Rubel relocated to Troy last fall to attend the Hobart Welding Institute and pursue a career outside of the game. It wasn't long before Rubel found himself wandering through Hobart Arena during a Bruins afternoon skate, and was approached about getting back into the sport, and is happy to finish his newly extended hockey career as one of the original "new" Troy Bruins.
Last Time Around
No one can argue the dominance the Bruins have exhibited on NJHL foes in the past several weeks, yet for Hicke, the thought of the last meeting between the Bruins and Grrrowl is still fresh in his mind.
Flashback to January 16, a snowy afternoon inside the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena as part of the 2010 NJHL All Star Showcase, a neutral site regular season game between the two Ohio rivals in an otherwise exhibition weekend of hockey featured arguably the best two and a half hours of hockey the fans in Jamestown would see all weekend. Fighting right down to the final buzzer, the Grrrowl outlasted the Bruins with a nail biting 8-7 win, in true barnburner fashion, the last goal won.
The lesson to be learned is simple for the Bruins: never underestimate your opponent. Hicke has been utilizing this and relaying it to his players in a simple but effective "play like we're facing Wooster", focusing as if playing the league's #1 team each game. Fans inside Hobart will see this theory first hand this weekend, as the Bruins put it to the test against an unpredictable Findlay team trying to salvage their season.
A Big Weekend
Fans attending Saturday night's home game against Findlay will be treated to the biggest event in the Bruins short history. Highlighting the even are two high profile promotions: Deaf Awareness Night, featuring a special elementary school performance of the National Anthem in sign language; as well as Hits 105.5 Night, rescheduled from earlier in the season due to weather concerns and featuring live broadcasts outside the Arena's main plaza as well as a souvenir giveaway to the first 500 fans. Bruins VP JT Szabo noted that as the team continues to establish itself on and off the ice, being able to properly plan for and execute large-scale events around each home game has finally become a reality. As for what's in store next, Szabo added "fans should look forward to more of this type of added Bruins family entertainment and promotions on a regular basis next season."
On The Air
Both games this weekend will be televised on delay in high definition on Channel 5 in Miami County, sending Troy Bruins hockey to nearly 45,000 living rooms around the area, as well as being broadcast live on MiamiCountyPost.com and accessible anywhere in world for free. The "voice of the Bruins" JT Szabo will handle the simulcast call presented by Fox's Pizza Den and Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken.
General admission tickets for each game this weekend are only $7, with a special $1 discount available for students, seniors and military at the Hobart box office game days. For more information, call 985-PUCK or visit www.TroyBruins.com.
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