Lake Zurich Hockey Team Back in Business

There are a few name players on this team. That means the likes of Nick Jones, Anthony Flores, Keegan Durment and Kane Durment are elite hockey players and can be seen at rinks all over the area. But when they show up for games with Lake Zurich's High School's Hockey Club, look out. In the first game of the season, Jones had a hat trick.

Lake Zurich coach Tom Paulson is just glad this program is back on its feet after a year off. These Bears are playing a JV schedule this season and so far things are looking up. After 10 games, the Bears stood at 6-4.

"We are now a pure high school team again,'' Paulson said. "And have already won more games than the last two seasons combined."

It seems this new team can put the puck in the net. Earlier this month, Keegan Durment had four goals in the Bears 6-3  over PREP. That team is comprised of players from Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Elk Grove and Prospect. Joe Pizzolato notched a pair of goals.  Caelin Knutter had two assists.

Officially, the 13th season of Lake Zurich hockey kicked off play last month with a win. In addition to those three goals from Jones, Knutter and Alex Rasiarmos checked in with goals in the 5-3 win over PREP.

Jones had three more goals in the next contest. On Oct. 13, the Bears stopped Barrington 9-5. Kane and Keegan Durment each scored two goals. Flores and Catie Dunne also scored.

Yes, these Bears have a pair of girls who have made the successful transition to boys hockey. In addition to Dunne, Devin Whitehead is on the team.

In goal on a regular basis is one of the team's three returning players. Sam Smith has been a busy tender this season.

"The Bears defense, led by Sam in goal, held up to Barrington's strong offensive lines,'' Paulson said.

There have been some tough defeats so far this season. In a 4-1 loss to Maine, Pizzolato had the lone goal on an assist from Kolton Durment. Another high-scoring affair broke out on Oct. 23. However, Guerin/Nazareth won the game 8-6. Pizzolato led the way with four goals. Jones and Austin Heboir both scored once. Notching assists in this loss were Knutter, Heboir, Pizzolato, Kolton Durment and Jay Napolitano.

On October 27, the Bears' offense exploded in a 9-3 hammering of Niles. Jones had four goals in this romp. Also tallying a single goal were Napolitano, Alex Rasiarmos, Mike Groh and Kolton Durment. Assists went to Pizzolato, Rasiarmos, Jones and Whitehead.

October closed with a 4-0 loss to Crystal Lake South. That was a despite 33 saves by Smith in goal.

November opened with another loss to Crystal Lake South. This time Jones scored two goals and Keegan Durment added one more as the Bears fell just short, 4-3. Keegan Durment and Pizzolato had assists.

Jones and Flores each had a pair of goals as Lake Zurich returned to the winning column with a 5-1 win over Cary-Grove. In this win on November 10, Whitehead scored unassisted. Sam Morgan and Pizzolato had assists.

After the all-star break, the Bears return to the ice at on Monday, Dec. 6. It's an 8:40 p.m. contest at Glacier Ice Arena against the combined team from Buffalo Grove, Wheeling and Hersey.

Paulson noted his team has had some help this year.

"The booster club has been helpful,'' he said.

He's looking forward to the All-Star game on Saturday, Dec. 4, and the annual alumni game come Monday, Dec. 27.