This season the Indianapolis AlleyCats are 5-1 at home and have clinched a playoff game at home on July 21.
At the beginning of the season, the AlleyCats left their southside home and traveled to the northside at Grand Park Events Center. Cameron Brock said that being at home has given them a huge advantage.
“The crowd is great and we’ve carried that into a 5-1 record at home so far,” Brock said. “I’m hoping we can make that 7-1 before the season is over.”
Combined the home record with its away record, the AlleyCats have eclipsed the ten wins mark for the first time in program history. Head coach Eric Leonard said they’re trying to make it 11 wins.
“We’ve worked very hard this season,” Leonard said. “It feels good to have that reflected in our regular season record.”
THE GAME PLAN
The AlleyCats have faced Minnesota Wind Chill once before. Leonard said one of the keys to this game is full effort from the start.
“We’ve come out slow in the past, which has really hurt us,” Leonard said. “But if we can get off to a fast start we will be in good shape.”
If the AlleyCats start the game out with a fast start, then it needs help scoring from its lead scorer Brock. Going into this game, Brock is tied with Sean McDougall, from Los Angeles Aviators, with 54 goals. Brock said this is just fine.
“Ultimately the goal is to win games,” Brock said. “If me scoring helps do that, then I’d say scoring that many goals is a pretty good thing.”
Aside from its starters, AlleyCats bench players have helped the team win games as well. Terry Gaither is one of those players. This season, Gaither played in one game and has a 100 catching percentage. He also has scored one goal. Leonard said their depth has been great.
“We are getting valuable minutes and good production from everyone on the roster,” Leonard said.
The AlleyCats square off against the Wind Chill at 7 p.m. on July 17 at Grand Park Events Center in Westfield, Indiana.
Patrick Murphy 