Men's Hockey Swept in Elmira, Battling Injuries
Anthony O'Hagan
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Sports
It was not a good weekend for the Utica College Men's Hockey team as they fell to the number six-ranked Elmira Eagles 7-3 on Friday, and 6-1 on Saturday. Saturday's game was close after the first two periods. Elmira was up 1-0. Everything went wrong for the Pioneers in the third period as they gave up five goals making the game a blowout in a blink of an eye.
Gary Heenan, Head Coach of the Utica College hockey team, had a lot to say about last Saturday's game.
"I thought we played a really smart game the first two periods." Heenan said. "Competed harder, and finished our checks."
Heenan also explained from his view, what the turning point was for the third period Pioneers' meltdown. "The short-handed goal," Heenan said referring to when Elmira scored a short-handed goal to extend their lead 2-0. "You have a chance to tie the game but then you give up the short-handed goal. It was turnovers after that."
Despite losing by more goals in the second game, Evan Chlanda of the Pioneers felt the Pioneers improved in the second game over the first.
"I feel we did better the second game," Chlanda said. "I felt Friday's game led momentum to Saturday's game. We played well the first two periods but didn't do so good in the third."
The Pioneers, who have been banged up all year with injuries, received more bad news. Freshman defensemen, Robert Etts, dislocated his shoulder during the third period of the Saturday game. He will most likely miss the rest of the season.
When asked if he was frustrated about being injured, Etts responded, "Yeah, it stinks that I got hurt, but it happens." Etts' injury is a big blow for the Pioneers. "If Etts is out for the year, we are in trouble," Heenan explained.
Heenan is glad that Russel Anderson and Chlanda are back in the lineup but he feels they need to get in shape and get used to playing again after being out for so long. Scott Birnstill is most likely out for the rest of the year with a shoulder injury.
Gary Heenan, Head Coach of the Utica College hockey team, had a lot to say about last Saturday's game.
"I thought we played a really smart game the first two periods." Heenan said. "Competed harder, and finished our checks."
Heenan also explained from his view, what the turning point was for the third period Pioneers' meltdown. "The short-handed goal," Heenan said referring to when Elmira scored a short-handed goal to extend their lead 2-0. "You have a chance to tie the game but then you give up the short-handed goal. It was turnovers after that."
Despite losing by more goals in the second game, Evan Chlanda of the Pioneers felt the Pioneers improved in the second game over the first.
"I feel we did better the second game," Chlanda said. "I felt Friday's game led momentum to Saturday's game. We played well the first two periods but didn't do so good in the third."
The Pioneers, who have been banged up all year with injuries, received more bad news. Freshman defensemen, Robert Etts, dislocated his shoulder during the third period of the Saturday game. He will most likely miss the rest of the season.
When asked if he was frustrated about being injured, Etts responded, "Yeah, it stinks that I got hurt, but it happens." Etts' injury is a big blow for the Pioneers. "If Etts is out for the year, we are in trouble," Heenan explained.
Heenan is glad that Russel Anderson and Chlanda are back in the lineup but he feels they need to get in shape and get used to playing again after being out for so long. Scott Birnstill is most likely out for the rest of the year with a shoulder injury.
Be the first to comment on this story