Jenks’ McMains Seeking Revenge in GTR Cup at BOK
By GLENN HIBDON
GTR Sports Writer
TITLE HUNGRY: Jenks club hockey team captain Ganon McMains is ready to take home his first GTR Cup.
Courtesy KYLIE MCMAINS
Should Jenks senior Ganon McMains choose hockey or lacrosse? He‘s using his speed and hitting ability in becoming a star in both.
“In hockey and lacrosse you have room to add your own input into the game. It’s not like football with a set play every time,’’ says McMains, who hopes to play both sports on the club level at Oklahoma State next year. “I like hockey more because I’ve played it longer, and I feel like I’m better at it. I have more experience and I’m more comfortable at my position.’’
McMains, a defenseman and team captain, will display his on-ice skills when Jenks faces the Tulsa Twisters in the first round of the GTR Cup on Feb. 11 at the BOK Center.
“He used to play forward, but he moved to defense four years ago. He likes giving hits more than receiving them,’’ says Brad McMains, Ganon’s father and the Jenks coach. “He sat on the bench quite a bit when he was younger and I was helping coach. He was able to learn from the kids ahead of him.’’
McMains discovered lacrosse when promoters dropped off fliers at the hockey rink inviting players to try the sport. Six or seven skaters joined the Tulsa youth program and McMains found that his strengths on the ice transferred to the field.
“I’m a midfielder and I play both ends of the field, getting the ball to the attackers,’’ says McMains, who has three assists as a hockey player in Jenks’ first three games. “Oklahoma State has a club lacrosse team and they’re forming a hockey team next year. I plan on walking on in both sports.’’
First of all, McMains wants to lead Jenks to the GTR Cup title in February. The Trojans were 3-0 early in the hockey season, defeating Union 3-2 with 4.7 seconds remaining.
“We’re kicking some butt,’’ says Brad. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we went undefeated. Union is our only real competition and we have a large amount of travel players. We have more experience and more depth than other teams.
“We would have won the GTR Cup last year, but our goalie (Mason O’Brien) forgot his contacts and wasn’t feeling well. If he was on his game, we would have beat Union, in my personal opinion.’’
The Trojans receive another chance and hope to fly high behind Ganon McMains. He will study to be a pilot at OSU and plans on joining the Air National Guard F-16 flight program at Tulsa International Airport after college. Right now, hockey and lacrosse are front and center.
“We’ve been playing teams that don’t have the goalies or the skills,’’ McMains said of Jenks’ hockey foes. “The key (to winning the GTR Cup) is not letting down in the first game. Every game, every point counts. We have to go in with the mindset that we have to produce and fight for everything we get. We can’t go out there and expect to win.’’
GTR Cup Game Times:
February 11-12
Sat. Feb. 11, Game 1
Jenks vs. Tulsa, 3:30 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 11, Game 2
Union v. B.A., 4:45 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 12, Game 3
Consolation, Noon
Sun., Feb. 12 Game 4
Championship, 1:30 p.m.
Oiler Games Follow!
For Ticket Information,
Call 918-619-5746
Updated 02-07-2012
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