Savoring the Moment
BY W . B . FRESA
The PTHS varsity hockey team wins sixth state championship title .
At the time of this interview , PTHS Varsity Hockey Coach Rick Tingle said he would only be talking about the 2021-22 season and state championship win for five more days . After 17 years as head coach , he knows a thing or two about the value of time . He ’ s put in plenty of it teaching and mentoring young men as they skate over the ice in search of victory .
This season , as the seconds ticked by through more than 35 regular , conference and tournament games , it was the crowning glory of a state title making their efforts worthwhile . But savoring that special moment has been different for all of them .
This year ’ s hockey season was hard fought . “ I go into every season thinking we have a shot ,” says Tingle . “ Our first game in October was a loss , 8-1 . But by January , the team had come together as a unit and committed to the things that led to their success .”
That was due in part to team captain Cooper Slavin . A senior forward , he was able to rally his teammates . “ Cooper took his role seriously . He understood what the coaches wanted from him , and he was able to motivate the team in a way that really helped ,” explains Tingle . “ Because of that , and his talent as an athlete , he received the PTHS Varsity Hockey Team MVP . It ’ s so well-deserved .”
“ It ’ s been a lifelong goal of mine to win both the Penguins Cup and the state championship ,” says Cooper . “ And to be able to do it alongside my best friends makes it that much better .”
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