Gold Skaters Ramble Off to Europe

Loyola Gold is taking its top-ranked show on the road for theholidays. The Ramblers will live up to their name, traveling toSwitzerland to play a series of games against Swiss high schoolteams.

Loyola Gold was ranked No. 1 in the state with a 10-0-0 mark inthe Metro North entering Saturday's showdown with No. 2 New TrierGreen.

The Ramblers will leave the day after Christmas and will returnJan. 4 after playing five games abroad. Loyola's Bill Lussow leadsthe Metro North with 16 goals and 10 assists. Linemates Paul Thomasand Andy Leutweler also rank among the top 10 in scoring.

Goalies Kevin Keady and Danny Wirtz, grandson of Blackhawksowner Bill Wirtz, have combined to allow six goals.

Defending state champion New Trier Green started the season10-0-2 led by returning goalie Sam Eaton and backup Clayton Jernigan,who have combined to allow only 14 goals.

SCOUTING: Lake Forest has played up to expectations, startingthe season 9-2-1 thanks to all-state defenseman Kevin Magnuson, whois being recruited by several Division I programs. He follows thetradition of former Lake Forest All-State defenseman Scott Dean, whoplayed at Michigan State.

SOPH DREAMS: The early surprise in the Metro North is Stevensonsophomore Marc Harris, whose 23 points have helped the undermannedPatriots stay in contention. Stevenson has only 12 players. Harrisis being touted as the fastest-skating underclassman the league hasseen in several years.

METRO CENTRAL JAM: A six-way race has evolved in the MetroCentral between leader Leyden, newcomer Driscoll, Notre Dame, MaineEast, Maine South and Niles, who are separated by seven points.Niles, which combines players from Niles North and West, won thetitle last year behind returnees Eric Eastman and Jason Trippichio.

PULLING AWAY: In the Metro West, Naperville Central is wideningits lead over rival Naperville North. The Redhawks are 11-0-0 led byJohn Comeau, Erik Dicarlo, J.J. Lattorre, sophomore Matt Cosgrove andjunior Phil Lewandowski.

Naperville Central has managed to outscore its foes 75-16.

'SKINS TO WIN: State runner-up and Kennedy Cup champion Maristis back where it left off, leading the Catholic League by threepoints. The Redskins' big guns are Jim Jolivette, Scott Deopere, TomDine and Mike Redden.

TIGHT CALLS: The Illinois League, which skates out of CenterIce, features a two-way race between Glenbard South and North, whichare tied for the lead with 14 points.

Glenbard South's only loss was to Glenbard North.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Illiana League, Homewood-Flossmoorand Andrew are battling for supremacy. Andrew started 9-1-0 to H-F's7-2-1.