Gary Klapkowski took over coaching the Mt. Lebanon hockey team after it got off to an 0-4 start.
Since then, the team has gone 8-6-2 and is vying for the final playoff spot in the Class AA Western Conference with two games remaining.
Klapkowski said there is no secret to the turnaround, rather a mindset the program has been lacking for quite some time.
“Everyone has been upbeat and took hold of what is going on,” he said. “The kids were OK with me coming in and changing everything from systems, call-ups and attitude, and they've been open to and bought in to it.
“They are being successful because of that stability, and I think they feel very confident in the coaching staff and in what we're bringing them.”
Klapkowski's transition to head coach came with the luxury of a pool of players willing to follow his lead.
Senior captain Griffin Nelson has been the most vocal of the bunch. Klapkowski said Nelson has not only produced on the ice with 16 goals and five assists, but he's the primary figure in the locker room spreading his messages.
Junior Kenny Schrader missed the first seven games for while playing football, but he's also played a huge role in the turnaround with eight goals and four assists. Defensemen Blake McConnell and Garrett Garlick have brought leadership and a calming sense to the blue line. The biggest surprise has come in the unexpected contribution of freshman Wyatt George, who has seen significant time on the top line.
Senior goalie Ryan Weatherington, Klapowski said, has blossomed into one of the top netminders in the PIHL.
“They were smart enough and wanted to win so bad that they understood that this is what needed to happen to be successful,” Klapowski said. “They saw the opportunity to be successful and ran with it.
“We turned it around and got to where we are because of them and their willingness to work hard, play disciplined and have dedication.”
With just a pair of games on the schedule remaining against Quaker Valley and Chartiers Valley, Mt. Lebanon will need to win out and hope Baldwin loses at least one game to clinch a playoff berth. Should Baldwin and Mt. Lebanon tie in points, Mt. Lebanon owns the tiebreaker thanks to a pair of head-to-head wins.
Klapkowski said the story of the 2015-16 Mt. Lebanon hockey team — regardless of if the season ends in two games or in the postseason — is the team's ability to persevere and rally behind one another.
“They've had ups and downs, but they are just a hard-working team that is trying to bring the best with what we have,” he said. “We aren't the most skilled, we aren't the biggest or fastest, but everybody has the same goal.
“They are happy to be where they are at after where they started, and they are trying to do better.”
Brian Graham is a freelance writer.
