The WJ club ice hockey team finished its season at 7-4-2, a successful campaign despite exiting the playoffs in the first round.

With only three seniors on the team, a freshman starting at goalie and a new coaching staff, many people around the county expected the team to go through a rebuilding year. However, outstanding goaltending and offensive success led the team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2006-2007 season.

“Overall, I think the season went really well,” said senior forward Matt Scheibel, an enforcer who led the team in penalty minutes with 14.

Scheibel attributed the team’s success this year to a revamped coaching staff.

“Our coaches Bryan Abraham and Kevin Pecca had a huge impact on the team this year,” said Scheibel. “Having them as coaches really brought the team together and made us really understand the game of hockey on and off the ice.”

Sophomore defenseman Drew Ohlrich, who was second on the team in points with 19 combined goals and assists, was happy with this seasons result, but has higher expectations for the next few years.

“Overall, we had a very successful season because we made playoffs,” said Ohlrich. “But we can definitely get better for next season. “

As for next year, the Wildcats will return two of their top three leading scorers (Ohlrich and sophomore Jessy Gendelman) along with freshman goalie Emerson Smith, who played in the Maryland Scholastic Hockey All-Star game and shut down opponents all season.