Spring Break
Hornet hockey team struggle against Northern Arizona
Zaki Syed
Issue date: 11/2/08 Section: Sports
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Goalie Gokalp Gurer, who played despite a groin injury, said he was happy with the team's performance.
"They took 50 shots. Out of those I missed about 10," said Gurer. Gurer said the team could have done better if they hadn't been missing five players due to injuries.
Captain Matt Van Atta agreed, " I am very happy with the game. I thought it was going to be 15-0." Atta said he thought the Hornets were going to lose by huge numbers because the Lumberjacks were among the top ranked teams in the nation. Considering their rank and skill, Atta thought the Hornets put up a respectable performance.
The Lumberjacks started off the game aggressively, immediately pushing the puck towards the Hornets' goal line. Senior forward Chase Turner along with other Hornets players tried to ward off the Lumberjacks with aggressive checks and body slams. Still, the Lumberjacks pushed through and managed to score two goals in the first period. The Lumberjacks then took the lead 0-2.
Halfway into the first period the Hornets redirected the pressure towards the Lumberjacks' goal line. Atta took a shot at the Lumberjacks goal, but Gurer blocked it. Freshman forward Kevin Kiaski then scored the Hornets first goal of the game making the score 1-2.
"Someone took a shot on the corner, and the puck came on the rebound," said Kiaski, "It was a nice open net and I just put it in."
Kiaski's shot energized the Hornets as they pounded their hockey sticks against the table, and gathered together to give words of encouragement.
"I was in right place in the right time, and I was able to turn the momentum," said Kiaski. This was Kiaski's first goal of the season.
After the Hornets first goal, the Lumberjacks started pushing the puck towards the Hornets' goal taking numerous shots. This strategy enabled the Lumberjacks to score a series of goals in the first period taking the lead1-6.
"They got so many goals, because they kept shooting the puck," said Atta.
In the beginning of the second period the Hornets managed to keep the puck away from their goal line. Through the use of pushing and body slams, the Hornets manage to get some breakaways towards the Lumberjacks' goal. Sophomore forward Raymond Gsell broke away towards the Lumberjacks' goal line and attempted a shot that was blocked.
The Lumberjacks then come back to score a series of two goals, making the score 1-8.
With about 11 minutes left to play in the second period, freshman forward Thomas Coursey scored the Hornets' second goal of the game.
"At a point I took a shot and it just went in," said Coursey. After the goal Coursey says he didn't congratulate himself too much.
"My only thought was to keep on hustling, to keep on working to win the game," said Coursey.
Cross-checking and pushing between the Lumberjacks and Hornets caused Hornets junior forward Alex Shaposhnikov to receive a gash above his head.
"I don't know exactly what happened, but I got hit with both fists pushing my helmet against my face," said Shaposhnikov, "I didn't realize I was hurt until the end of the shift. Everyone was looking at me and blood was pouring out of my face."
Shaposhnikov said he wasn't worried about the cut, and that injuries such as these are all part of the game of hockey.
In the third period the Hornets and Lumberjacks played defensively on both sides not allowing either team to score. In the fourth period the Lumberjacks managed to score two more goals, winning the game 2-10.
Tom Bowen, head coach, said that even though he was disappointed the team lost, he still was proud of the way the team played.
"Everybody gave their 100 percent and played throughout the whole game," said Bowen, "They never quit. I saw both defense and offense trying to come back."
The Hornet's next game is against Santa Clara University at home at 9:15p.m. on Nov. 7th.
Zaki Syed can be reached at zsyed@statehornet.com
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