By Gavin Lindahl
Sports Assignemnt Editor
After scoring seven goals, the most scored in a single game this season, the club hockey team closed out its game against Ithaca College last Friday. The win was the team’s second in a row (its previous win was also against Ithaca) and was its third on the season. However, despite the success the weekend started with, it all went downhill from there.
The Bonnies dropped two games on the road against the Rochester Institute of Technology last Saturday and against Cornell last Sunday. The Bonnies were outscored 16-5 throughout those two games. According to junior defensemen Nate Parker, the team’s attitude that lifted it throughout its Ithaca games was not present against RIT or Cornell.
“For some reason, Saturday and Sunday, the intensity was not there,” Parker said.
Perhaps one of the bright spots to come out of last weekend’s games is the offensive capabilities of two of the Bonnies’ forward lines. The freshmen trio of forwards Michael Mendola, Colin Coppola and Tyler Gokey continues to impress, racking up four points (three of which were Mendola’s) in the Ithaca game alone. The trio of sophomore Jordan Ashman and freshmen Joe Piegay and Andrew Farnham also impressed, scoring 13 points throughout the weekend.
“All of those players have a great offensive mindset,” Parker said. “It is fun to watch, and they will only get better with experience. The future is bright offensively.”
Defensemen Sean Devine (sophomore) and Brandon Prendergast (senior) have also contributed offensively from the blue line. Devine netted one goal and earned three assists throughout the weekend, and Prendergast assisted on two goals.
The second-semester changes to the Bonnies’ lineup have also had a positive effect on the team. Although not much has come to fruition, according to Parker, positional changes due to new players have aided the team to perform properly in places that were rough at the beginning of the season.
“The new players have added depth to our lineup,” Parker said. “All three have a good skill set, and [we] have been able to put [players] on the ice without a problem.”
The Bonnies will face off tonight at 8:30 against Niagara University at the William O. Smith Recreation Center. The last time the Bonnies and Purple Eagles met last season, the game was high-scoring and physical.
“We have had great games and poor games against Niagara,” Parker said. “Last year, we played them twice, we lost 3-2 at their place, and then [we] had an ugly game at home. Niagara is a good team that has already clinched nationals, so we have no way of guessing what team they will put on the ice.”
Following tonight’s game, the Bonnies’ will round out their Little Three weekend with a game against Canisius College in Buffalo. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. tomorrow. The Bonnies have been outscored by Canisius 23-3 through two games already played this season.
“Canisius is usually a good game and a good rivalry. They have been able to put a great team on the ice this year, but if we come to play, it should be a good skate,” Parker said. “Overall, we just need to come to play and stay positive. It’s been a long and tough season. Hopefully, we will be able to end the season on a high note.”
