Ice hockey: Injuries put damper on Marist’s season

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Mother McAuley senior and Rattlers player Regina Engel (right) was named the Goalie MVP of the ISHL All-Star Game earlier this month. Also pictured is Player MVP Ellen Chiligiris, of Guerin-Nazareth, and IHSL president George Hayes. | Submitted photo

Updated: February 27, 2012 9:49AM

It’s been a challenging season for Marist.

Injuries to key players and the inability to overcome them has the RedHawks sitting at 7-11-1 in the Catholic League, good enough for seventh-place.

“We haven’t had much continuity,” Marist coach Wayne Kuhl said. “When kids had an opportunity to fill a more significant role, they didn’t step up.”

The good news?

With a gradual return to health, Marist has won three straight. The RedHawks downed Carmel of Mundelein 4-1 and posted back-to-back 6-0 wins against Lincoln-Way East and St. Ignatius.

Senior goalie Mike Doronzo was between the pipes for both shutouts. Freshman netminder Joel Finlon was superb in taking down Carmel.

“We’re going to continue to alternate those two guys,” Kuhl said. “Both are coming off strong games.”

The return of junior forward Dan Werniak has provided a boost. Werniak was out for 10 weeks with a torn ACL.

“Dan recovered quickly and he’s getting better every time out,” Kuhl said.

Senior captain Sean Henrici has been shelved for three weeks with a separated shoulder, though he’s expected to return any day.

Senior Rocco Dazzo leads the team in scoring, and junior forwards Danny Loizzo and Marty Mehalek have been consistent performers.

Senior defenseman Dan Caudill has filled in wherever needed and has performed admirably, according to Kuhl.

Engel earns honor

Mother McAuley student Regina Engel, goalie for the Rattlers girls hockey team, recently earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Illinois Suburban Hockey League All-Star game.

The Rattlers are composed of students from Andrew, Marist, Sandburg, Mother McAuley, Shepard, Oak Lawn, Stagg, Homewood-Flossmoor and Lincoln-Way Central.