The Kentucky Kernel

Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Ed Matthews Junior forward Tom McCurrie handles the puck during UK's second game against Kennesaw State on Saturday night.

The UK hockey team dropped two close games this weekend, losing 4-3 and 3-2 to Kennesaw State at the Lexington Ice Center.

The Cool Cats fell behind 2-0 in Saturday's 3-2 loss after the Owls scored two goals within 44 seconds of each other. UK tried to climb back in the game midway through the third period when junior forward Daniel Ampleford scored the Cool Cats' first goal.

But Kennesaw State responded with another goal, moving out to a 3-1 lead. Ampleford netted his second goal of the game 24 seconds later pulling UK within one of the Owls, but the Cool Cats failed to find the net again despite several scoring opportunities during the game's final minutes.

Although the team lost, Ampleford drew some positives from his personal performance.

"I haven't been playing very well, so it's good to get some confidence," Ampleford said. "I'm playing with some new guys and getting some good opportunities."

Kennesaw State bested UK 4-3 in the first game on Friday. With the losses, the Cool Cats have dropped six of their last eight contests and are 4-6-1 on the season.

UK hockey general manager Ian Ward stood in for head coach Rob Docherty, who was away for personal reasons. He said UK needed to play a complete game against the Owls, and the team failed to do so.

"We had some lapses in focus where we just ran around, and that cost us," Ward said.

Ward also noticed how improved Kennesaw State looked from a season ago, when the Cool Cats beat the Owls 8-2.

"They looked like a totally different team from the one we played last year," Ward said. "That just goes to show how teams change from year to year in club hockey."

Despite the setbacks and the disappointing start, senior forward and captain Mike Barnes is still optimistic that UK can have a successful season.

"Our goals change from week-to-week," Barnes said. "We only focus on what we can achieve at the current time. Right now, we just have to make better decisions out there and take it one game at a time. We have to stay mentally focused for an entire game."

UK resumes action this weekend with games against Miami (Ohio) on Friday and Saturday at the Lexington Ice Center. Both games are scheduled to begin at midnight.

E-mail sports@kykernel.com

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