The Observer, October 20, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 8
Hockey club takes a step backward in 8-3 loss to Pittsburgh
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A team wants to win every game it plays. Some losses, however, are more acceptable than others. If the team improves over previous games or faces a tough opponent, at least the players can walk away feeling as if they have accomplished something positive.
Last Saturday's hockey match wasn't one of those games.
The Spartans fell behind early in the first period, but a goal by Dan Pawlowski evened the score at 1-1 going into the second period. Early in the second period, the University of Pittsburgh scored, but the Spartans again responded with a goal by Mike Stork.
Midway through the second period, Pitt erupted with five goals, bringing the score to 7-2. Pat Sullivan scored again for Case in the third period, but too much damage had already been done. The final score was 8-3 in favor of Pitt.
"I don't know what happened," said freshman right winger Matt Briancon. In the past, Pitt has been a comparable team to Case, with the Spartans beating Pitt 6-3 last year and losing 4-3 the previous year.
"I was disappointed in the effort from our group," said coach Scott Yuhnke. "They out-hustled us."
Yuhnke pointed out that the previous home game against Saint Vincent was full of positive signs, even though the Spartans lost.
"This week though," said Yuhnke, "we took a step backwards."
A bright spot for the Spartans was the play of goalie Rob Walls. The final score did not indicate the quality of his play.
"They got off shot after shot on him," said Yuhnke.
The coach found another positive sign in the loss.
"People on the team stepped up as leaders and tried to turn the game around. They were upset with the way we played. What stuck out though, overall, is that they were out-hustling us."
"We took Pitt lightly," said club president Pat Sullivan.
Yuhnke said that practices this week would be "high intensity, focusing on the basics."
The problems for the Spartans didn't end at the edge of the ice. The referees ejected a few fans this week for yelling obscenities at opposing players and the referees. The previous week, fans started a minor scuffle with players from Saint Vincent. This incident prompted a complaint by the ice arena.
"We love the intensity of our fans; they're the best in the league," said Yuhnke. "We need their support, but we don't want anyone to get in trouble."
The actions of some fans may cause problems for the hockey team's finances. Because they are a club team, Case hockey receives very little money from the university. These incidents may force the team to hire a Case security officer for home games. This additional expense has forced club president Sullivan to consider charging for admission. The Spartans are one of the few teams in their league to allow fans in for free.
"If we did charge admission, it would only be one or two dollars," said Sullivan.
The Spartans are off this weekend, but have two tough home games coming up on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 against rival Penn State Behrend and University of Pitt-Johnstown.
"We have the potential to play a lot better than we did on Saturday," said Briancon. Added Yuhnke, "We're only 0-2 in the conference thus far (1-4 overall). We still have time to turn it around. These next two games will be pivotal."
