The men’s hockey team went 0-1-1 this past weekend with a tough loss to the Bowdoin Polar Bears, while they came away with a tie against the Colby Mules. The Cardinals’ record dropped to 7-7-4 overall (5-5-3 ECAC NESCAC/East Division) after the weekend’s activities. The team is currently ranked seventh in NESCAC standings and is looking to take home ice advantage into the playoffs.
Through all their struggles and victories, the Cardinals’ fans have been showing the team outstanding encouragement.
“I was real excited about the support we had from the students, even the President came out. One of my goals here at Wesleyan is to build a strong student following. The players really enjoyed the atmosphere here this past weekend,” said head coach Chris Potter.
Friday night’s game against the Bowdoin Polar Bears was a big test for the Cardinals. The Polar Bears brought an 11-5-0 overall record to the contest and are ranked second in the NESCAC. The Polar Bears jumped on the board first scoring on a goal from Jon Landry ’07, but a minute later at the 12:33 mark of the first period forward Steve Bogosian ’04 and co-captain Brian Maynes ’04 collaborated to put Wes on the board.
But the Polar Bears’ Landry assisted on another goal before the first period was finished. Landry would have another goal before the Bogosian scored his second goal on an assist from forward Taylor Evans ’07. But the Cardinals were unable to come up with a third goal and were iced by the Polar Bears 3-2.
“I feel we are starting to play better as a team and we need to improve everyday. This is the time to be playing your best hockey,” Potter said. “We have a strong senior group who want to leave here playing in the playoffs and if we work hard enough possibly play at home in the playoffs.”
Saturday afternoon’s game against Colby was another test for the Cardinals. The NESCAC fourth-ranked Mules entered the game with a 12-1-1 all-time record against the Cards. The Mules used the intimidation to their advantage and jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the first period, only to add to their lead with another goal in the second period. But the Cardinals were not down and out. Wes came back late in the third period, on a goal from their leading scorer and Dec. 8 NESCAC Player of the Week forward Will Bennett ’07. The Cardinals tied the game on a goal from Dave Taylor ’04 assisted by Will Bennett and Grant Savage. Even though the Cardinals were out-shot 39-18, they managed to end the game in a 2-2 tie.
“During the Colby game, a referee called a huge penalty on our goalie [Jim Panczykowsi ’04], so our second goalie [Dave Scardella ’07]went in. During the ten minutes, he shut-out the other team. Both goalies did a great job,” said Taylor Evans ’07.
“Our team is playing well and I think we played better because of the fans. Its really good for team since the fans are coming out,” Bennett said, “We have five more league games left and a good shot at winning them. It could guarantee us home playoff games. In two weeks we’re home again against Williams and Middlebury, our biggest test. The Little Three championship will be on the line against Williams.”
If the Cardinals continue to play well, they stand a good chance of gaining a home playoff advantage in the post-season. The team is led in points by Bennett, who is ranked on the National Division III men’s hockey standings in multiple categories, including thirteenth in power play goals and eighth in points per game. He leads the team with 23 points on the season.
Fellow rookie and teammate Evans, who is nationally ranked thirty-eighth in point per game, is second in the team in scoring with fifteen goals in the season. Goalie Panczykowski, the Jan. 12 NESCAC Player of the Week, is also ranked in national standings, seventh in saving percentage. The Cardinals as a team are ranked twenty-second in scoring defense and thirty-seventh in scoring offense. With numbers like these, the Cardinals have a good shot at landing home ice advantage.
The Cardinals are on the road this weekend to take on Castleton State Friday night and Skidmore College Saturday afternoon.
“This is a big weekend for us. One non-league game and a league game on Saturday versus Skidmore. We need to continue to get points in the league to give ourselves a chance to play into a home playoff game on the last weekend. It is extremely tight in the league every point counts,” Potter said.
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