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***image1***The Ramstein Rams ice hockey
team rolled over the German Polizei and Bitburg Bears in separate games
during recent ice hockey action.
The Rams defeated the Polizei 5-1 in a game played in Eppelheim on Nov.
17. Eric Schoenhals led the scoring with two goals. Derek
Lufkin, Merrill Slepica, and Paul Hilfer added the other three.
After a two-day rest, the Rams traveled to Bitburg and defeated the
Bears 16-5 on Nov. 20. Lex Litzen was all over the ice and led
the Rams with five goals. Other multiple goal scorers were Schoenhals,
Slepica, Kris Uber, John Hale, and Mike Mamer. Rafael Lezcano was
stellar in the net after a run of Ram’s penalties left them shorthanded
for much of the second period and the Bears poured on the shots.
Player/coach John Lane stressed that the final score against Bitburg was not indicative of the Bears capabilities.
“They are a lot better team than what they played Sunday night and we
won’t take them lightly when they come to Zweibrücken and play us in
January. They will come to play and we already know it will be a
tough game.
It will also be good gauge for both teams as we prepare for the USAFE
Hockey Tournament in Garmisch the following month,” said Lane.
Lane also noted that with a 5-0 record, this year’s team has really found itself.
“We have a large roster and we juggle different players into each
game. We have our usual scorers but the key to this year’s team
has been what is affectionately referred to in the hockey world to as
the ‘muckers’. These are the folks that crash the boards, hustle
to the puck, and are not afraid to get in the opposing team’s
way. The recent play of Chris Canfield, Todd Poynter, Jim
Crutchfield, and Luftkin are just a few examples. Everybody has found
their own role on this team and they stick to it,” said Lane.
