The Observer, February 15, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 17
Spartans flatten Edinboro to clinch playoff berth
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This weekend the Case Hockey team faced off against Edinboro in a match that would seal a playoff spot for the Spartans. The team played well and got the victory by a huge 12-2 margin.
Edinboro came to Cleveland with only nine players and without a coach, which was an important factor in why they had such a subpar performance and were absolutely dominated by the Spartan's aggressive offense.
There were several penalties called against the Case players throughout the game. However, the Spartans actually scored some of their goals during Edinboro's power plays.
At the end of the first period, the score was 3-0 in the Spartan's favor. Even after attaining a huge lead, the offense wasn't about to start waning. The team continued pummeling the Edinboro defense and doubled the number of goals scored, leaving the score at the end of the second period at 6-0.
The struggling Edinboro offense managed to break their slump and ruin Case's chance at a shutout when they scored a goal with 19:24 remaining in the third period. Four minutes later, the continuously heckled Scots got another goal to pull within four.
But Case would respond with six goals of their own and win, 12-2.
Among the highlights of the game was a quality performance by Matt Grabowski, who had four goals during the game. "That's the most for me this year," said Grabowski. "We were playing really good as a team and passing well tonight."
Senior Geoff Protz scored the first goal of his hockey career during the game, after beginning to skate in July of last year. "It was awesome," Geoff said. "It's a lot better playing at home. Traveling can take it out of you and it's nice to hear the fans."
But being at home didn't do the Spartans any good during Saturday's game against Allegheny College. The Gators played energetically and out-hustled the Spartans. In the first period, Allegheny outshot Case, 31-10. Despite the onslaught, backup goalie Dan Pawlowski only allowed one goal. But he could only hold off the Gators for so long.
The floodgates opened in the second period. The Gators went on a 4-1 run that would ultimately put the game out of reach for Case. They would go on to lose, 10-3. The match was a preview of Case's first-round matchup in the playoffs, where they will face Allegheny.
Next week the team will be facing off against CCAC at home again at the Cleveland Heights Community Center.
