The Observer, October 13, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 7
Hockey team loses to Saint Vincent in home opener
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With 2:47 left in the third period, Case's Paul Anderko guided Saint Vincent's Mike Cochran behind the goal to keep Cochran out of scoring position, a routine play. An enraged and frustrated Cochran punched Anderko after the play was over. Cochran was ejected.
But it was the Spartans who had cause for frustration. After keeping the game close for two and a half periods, Saint Vincent was able extend its lead, winning with a final score of 5-2.
Saint Vincent's Matt Ward started off the scoring in the first period. Ward is one of the top players in the league and scored three goals against Case. Craig Dolan's goal 15 seconds into the second period extended Saint Vincent's lead to 2-0. The fresh ice caused goalie Rob Walls to stray too far out from his crease, which Saint Vincent was able to take advantage of. But the Spartan's Jim Lowe scored two minutes later.
Case allowed another goal at the beginning of the third period, this time with 19:43 to go in the game.
"It does seem like we have problems starting slow at the beginning of periods. This is something the coaches are aware of and will be trying to change," said coach Scott Yuhnke.
The Spartans' Lowe again responded with 15 minutes left to go in the game, making the score 3-2. But as the period progressed, Saint Vincent broke open the game, with Jordan Miller and Ward scoring. Miller taunted the Case fans after scoring.
Case entered the game with about two and one half lines, while Saint Vincent brought over four. But center Dan Pawlowski refused to attribute the loss to fatigue.
"Fatigue played a small role in the outcome of the game," he said. "It mostly comes into play in the second game of a two-game weekend, especially back-to-back two-game weekends. I think we were able to keep pace with Vincent, one of the better skating clubs, the entire game."
There was one injury during the game: Lowe's hand was bruised and swollen.
"Jim is one of the toughest guys on our team. It looked pretty bad, but I would be surprised if he misses any action," said Yuhnke.
Puck handling and passing appeared to be a problem for the Spartans. Yuhnke credited Saint Vincent for these difficulties.
"They put a lot of pressure on us, forcing us into a lot of puck handling and passing errors. They seemed to finish most of their checks, and when you do that, it gets the other team thinking about getting hit and not thinking about making plays."
Another problem for the Spartans was penalties. Saint Vincent scored most of their goals on the power play. The recent rule changes by USA hockey have caused problems for many teams, including Saint Vincent.
"It's hard when you have been playing one way your whole career and then suddenly they drastically change how the game is called," said Yuhnke.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positive signs for the Spartans.
"We are definitely a better team compared to this time last year," Pawlowski said. "Last year, it was the second semester before we really started to play the way we could. This year, we came out playing that way, and the game would have been entirely different had we been able to convert a couple more of our numerous opportunities. That was the main difference in this game: Vincent was able to score when they had a chance."
The Spartan's next home game is this Saturday at 8:15 p.m. at the Cleveland Heights Rec Center.
