Perrysburg hockey opened its season with two non-league wins, 5-2 over Cincinnati St. Xavier, and 7-1 against Northern Kentucky at Bowling Green State University’s Slater Family Ice Arena Saturday and Sunday.

“I like a lot of what I saw this weekend,” Perrysburg coach Kevin Fisher said. “It’ll be a work in progress all season, but if our first weekend is our proverbial launching point, we’ve started the season out on the right foot.

“We graduated a ton of talent, so the players are challenged with deciding if we are reloading or rebuilding. Do they pick up where we’ve left off or do we start from scratch?

“There’s a lot of leadership in this group and I think they’re ready to step up, fill the vacated spots and continue building this thing while making it their own. I don’t see us taking even the smallest step backward,” Fisher continued.

In the win over St. Xavier, Trey Haney scored twice, Seth Haney had the game-winning goal, and Ryan Butler and Jackson Baltzell scored one goal apiece. Jake Bombek was the winning goaltender.

In the win over Northern Kentucky (club team), Caden Seiple and Seth Haney scored two goals apiece, Butler scored the game-winner, and Baltzell and Anthony Pinski scored one goal each. Collin Vore got the win in goal.

Perrysburg hockey has been on the rise for several years until recognized by the Northwest Hockey Conference to play in its top division, the Red Division, where it will meet up in league games with Toledo St. Francis, Toledo St. John’s, Sylvania Northview, Bowling Green, Findlay, and Anthony Wayne.

Fisher is hoping the program can get to a point where some history can be made.

“Each year, every team takes on its own identity and this squad is shaping up to be more of a blue-collar, old school type of team,” Fisher said.

“There’s plenty of speed and talent on the roster, but this group is a closely knit, gritty and physical bunch — we’re going to be very difficult to play against.”