January 23, 1992
Last season, Kirk Kuzmick was a forward for the Monsignor Bonner ice hockey team.
He played pretty well, but when Bonner’s top returning defenseman, Sean Kane, had to undergo back surgery between seasons, Friars coach Ted Dolan decided to move Kuzmick back this season.
“I was kind of conservative, so my coach figured it would be better,” Kuzmick said. “I like to go out and quarterback the play. I feel you’re more in control because the play is in front of you. You don’t have to rely on other people that much.”
The change apparently is one reason that Bonner is undefeated, with a 15-0-2 record, and 11-0-2 in the Eastern League.
“He’s turned out to be one of our top two puck-controlling defensemen, as well as one of our best defensive players,” Dolan said. “He quarterbacks our power play, and he’s been known to throw one heck of a hip check.”
Bonner played twice last week and didn’t give up a goal against Episcopal Academy or Germantown Academy. The game against Germantown was at the Spectrum, in the afternoon before a Flyers game.
“The ice is really different,” Kuzmick said. “It’s faster, less choppy. After a couple of minutes, you pick up how to play on it. The boards at the Skatium, the boards are choppy; pucks can pop up. At the Spectrum, it’s nice and smooth; the puck rings around. When it hits the boards, it just drops. It doesn’t deflect around.” Kuzmick said it was no big deal playing where the Flyers play. Most teams get a chance every year, and his team has played there twice this
season.
And besides, why should Kuzmick be in awe of the Flyers’ home? Bonner has the better record.
The original
