Michigan Mustangs’ hosting of U.S. PowerHockey Championship a success despite end result
By @StefanKubus –
The Michigan Mustangs played host to the 2015 U.S. PowerHockey Championship for the first time ever July 16-18 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, and they nearly left as two-time national champions.
The Mustangs just fell short of the 2015 national crown, ultimately losing to the Minnesota Selects in the championship game, 7-1. It marked the first championship for Minnesota, which completed a 5-0 run in the process, outscoring opponents 39-11 along the way.
“This Minnesota team is far and beyond the best team I’ve ever played,” Mustangs goaltender Dean Olivas said. “Chad Wilson may be the best PowerHockey player of all time and they added a new kid (Jacob Ritter) this year who ended up winning the Anthony Nelson MVP of the tournament. They’re a great team and we picked a bad game to have our worst game of the tournament.”
The aforementioned Minnesota duo of Wilson and Ritter combined for an incredulous 32 of the team’s 39 goals in the tournament and 40 points altogether.
Michigan opened the tournament with a close, 6-5 loss to the Philadelphia PowerPlay, but bounced back the next day with a 4-2 win over the Texas Motor Mavs. On day two, the Mustangs gave Minnesota all it could handle, but fell, 9-6; they were the only team to score more than two goals on the Selects.
On the tournament’s final day, after a three-hour delay due to the frozen floor inside the arena, Michigan avenged its opening loss to Philadelphia when it counted most, recording a 5-2 victory in semifinal action. Despite a rollercoaster-like opening set of games, the Mustangs’ resilience helped boost them into the championship game against the strong Minnesota team.
“I think we improved each game, aside from the championship game,” Olivas said. “There’s always changes to be made and things you can do differently, but overall I don’t think our record is indicative of our play entirely. We had a rough first and last game.”
But the disappointing finish didn’t stop the Mustangs and their support group from rightfully holding their heads up high afterward.
“The Mustangs never stop amazing me,” Mustangs alternate captain and tournament director Jason Drapinski said. “For me, personally, I was extremely proud of how everyone handled themselves despite just losing the championship by showing support for the fans that had supported us the entire tournament.”
Drapinski was instrumental in organizing the tournament and getting it to come to USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.
MORE: Photos/video from the 2015 U.S. PowerHockey Championship
“This tournament would have never happened without the tremendous amount of support from those involved with the Michigan Mustangs organization,” Drapinski said. “Based on the feedback I’ve received, I would have to say we nailed it.
“It was a dream come true, not only for myself, but for our entire organization.”
Not only was hosting the tournament a dream come true for Drapinski and the current Mustangs team, but it was also the dream of a fallen teammate. Anthony Nelson, known as the “Magic Man” and for whom the tournament MVP trophy is named, passed away in 2013 at the age of 20. Hosting the national tournament was something he had long wished for.
“It was an amazing experience,” Olivas said. “Having people who have never seen us play at this type of level cheering you on and getting into the games is more than I can ever ask for. Most importantly to me, it was a dream of our former teammate Anthony Nelson, who passed away, to one day host this event. Being able to do so brought everyone together, and I know we made Anthony proud.”
At the end of the day, above wins and losses, Olivas said the Mustangs grew closer as a team and a family, something no trophy can provide.
“To my team, I know it’s not what we wanted, but I can’t say I’m not impressed,” Olivas said. “We beat some very good teams and played some incredibly strong games. I can honestly say, we’re twice the team we were last year. My teammates should give themselves a pat on the back and not hang their heads. We practiced more than we ever have, and they put in the effort to improve. They bought into new systems and styles, we are truly a team and, to me, that’s just as important as any trophy.”
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PowerHockey is floor hockey played in electric power wheelchairs, which allows for athletes with disabilities like Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Arthrogryposis and Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Brittle Bones) to compete. The sport has been played in Michigan since 1995, and it originated in Canada in the 1980s.
The Michigan Mustangs’ 2015 U.S. PowerHockey Championship roster: Drew Canada, Josh Cueter, Jason Drapinski, Kevin Konfara, Chris Lemieux, Clay Martin, Tristan Parent, Frank Rogers, Zeljko Sreckovic, Marty Witberg, Jordan Zmich, Dean Olivas.