~ by Trevor Phipps ~
The Woodland Park Ice Panthers have continued their top-notch play the last couple of weeks as they have won some key league matches.
The boys have been impressive in turning their team around this season compared to last year. Last season was the Woodland Park Hockey team’s inaugural season and they struggled and didn’t win very many games. This year the boys have a 5-9 overall record and a 4-4 league record. Not bad for a team that entered every game last year with a “David versus Goliath” stigma on the ice.
Although the team’s hopes to win their league this year appear out of reach, the team’s season can be counted as a great success. The boys are currently third in their league with their 4-4, .500 league record, which is a huge improvement from last year. The only two teams ahead of the Panthers currently are Doherty and Rampart.
On Jan. 19, the boys played a home match against Palmer and came out ahead 6-3. A week later on the Jan. 26, the Ice Panthers played a home game at the World Arena against Liberty and skated ahead by an 11-4 score. But then on Jan. 31 the Panthers played an away game against Doherty, who are undefeated and in first place in the Panthers’ league, and lost 9-2.
Currently, the boys only have three varsity games left and two of them are league games. If the WP Ice-men win both league games including the one against Rampart, which is currently in second place in the league, then they could receive a second place ranking in their league. That would be pretty impressive for only the second season of hosting a hockey team
This Wednesday, the Panthers play an away game against the 3-9-1 Coronado Cougars. Then, this Saturday the boys play their final and perhaps their most important league game against the tough 8-4-2 Rampart Rams. Keep your fingers crossed that our local heroes on the ice can win the next two league games which would most likely put the Panthers in second place in their league and give them a winning in-league record.
Woodland Park High School B-Ball Teams Putting Final Touches On 2018/2019 Season
Trevor Phipps
Last week, the girl hoopsters continued their 2018-2019 season by playing three league games throughout the week.
The Lady Panthers kept most of the scores close, but they were only able to come out ahead in one of their three league matches.
Last Monday, the girls traveled to Widefield to take on the Gladiators and fell by a close score of 49-39.
The girls then challenged the Mitchell Marauders at home and they were able to come out on top by a whopping 61-29 score. And then last Friday night, the girls took another trip down the Pass to play the Harrison Lady Panthers where they lost another close game, 54-48.
After losing two more league games, the playoff hopes for the girls are not looking promising at all. The girls now have a 6-13 overall record and a 5-7 record during league games. The girls are currently ranked 203rd in the state. The girls are now ranked in sixth place out of the nine teams in their league and are only ahead of three teams: Widefield, Mitchell, and Elizabeth.
The girls only have four games left to play all of which are league games and three of them take place this week. On Monday, the girls took on the tough 15-3 Mesa Ridge Grizzlies during their last home game of the season. Then on Wednesday, they travel to Elizabeth to take on the 2-16 Cardinals. To end their three game week, the Lady Panthers travel south to Canon City to challenge the 11-8 Lady Tigers.
The Panther boy hoopsters continued to struggle last week, a phrase that has been repeated during the season. Last week the boys won one out of the three games they played, similar to the b-ball path set by the girls. And unfortunately, the one win did not help them out much in trying to snag a playoff spot.
Last Monday, the boys challenged Widefield at home and lost by an 84-57 score. They then traveled to Mitchell High School on Wednesday and won 49-37. And then on last Friday, they played Harrison at home and lost a close one 69-60.
The boys have virtually no chance at the playoffs with their disappointing 4-15 overall mark and 2-9 league records. The boys have stayed near the cellar spot in their league through most of the 2018-2019 season and are only doing better than Mitchell and Elizabeth. The boys are ranked 254th in the state.
Just like the girls, the boys have four league matches left to play in the current season. On Monday, the boys hit the road and took on the 5-13 Mesa Ridge Grizzlies. On Wednesday, they will challenge the 2-16 Elizabeth Cardinals at home. They then play their senior night and last home game this Friday against the 11-8 Canon City Tigers.
