It became much easier to understand why River Dell coach Brian Sharkey is so effusive about Ryan Callahan, his senior captain, after watching him play this week in The Housley Classic at The Ice House. The 18-year-old forward showed some grit and some moxie, leading the Golden Hawks as they split a pair of overtime games.
While the River Dell goalies will get all the pub for allowing only one goal over nearly seven periods, Callahan deserves credit, too. He was steady and tireless, crashing the net, chirping with the opposition and pleading his team’s case with the officials. He showed himself to be a mature player and a calming influence.