Cool Cats' goalie saving team after rough start
Brad Bowling
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Sports
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After dropping seven of the first 12 games to open its season, the UK hockey team started to turn its performance around Saturday night at the Lexington Ice Center.
The Cool Cats defeated Miami (Ohio) 5-1 thanks in large part to some inspired play from senior goalie Drew Matichak. Despite the Cool Cats' early-season struggles, the senior has been a force between the goalposts, and his teammates are starting to feed off his consistent performances.
"He is an amazing goalie," said senior forward and captain Mike Barnes. "He just stops everything out there."
Matichak recorded an astonishing 55 saves on Saturday night to help the Cool Cats to their first victory over the Redhawks in 15 years.
"If he sees the shot, he's going to stop it," said head coach Rob Docherty. "We always knew he had it in him, and now we're starting to see it."
Matichak, who has a .881 save percentage, gave his teammates much of the credit for the win.
"They are doing a good job of limiting the rebounds," he said. "Everyone is communicating better, and we are picking each other up."
The Cool Cats have struggled so far this season with a 5-7-1 start and dropped a close game Friday night to the Redhawks. But they played one of their best games of the season Saturday, Barnes said.
"I think this was the first time all season we played up to our full potential," Barnes said.
The team was in high spirits Saturday night, bursting out to an early 2-1 lead before finishing Miami off with three third-period goals and huge saves from Matichak.
The team's hard work is starting to pay off, Docherty said.
"Good things happen when you play 60 minutes," he said. "It's even better when you play 60 minutes and you get some breaks. Early on we weren't getting many breaks, but now things are starting to bounce our way."
The Cool Cats hope the breaks continue to bounce their way with tough weekends ahead.
After taking on Bowling Green at home this weekend, UK hits the road on Nov. 9 and 10 to play at Wright State.
It seems as though Matichak's play will be a key factor in how UK fares the rest of the season.
"The better you play, the more confidence you get," Matichak said.
UK hosts Bowling Green this Friday and Saturday. Both games start at midnight at the Lexington Ice Center.
E-mail sports@kykernel.com.
The Cool Cats defeated Miami (Ohio) 5-1 thanks in large part to some inspired play from senior goalie Drew Matichak. Despite the Cool Cats' early-season struggles, the senior has been a force between the goalposts, and his teammates are starting to feed off his consistent performances.
"He is an amazing goalie," said senior forward and captain Mike Barnes. "He just stops everything out there."
Matichak recorded an astonishing 55 saves on Saturday night to help the Cool Cats to their first victory over the Redhawks in 15 years.
"If he sees the shot, he's going to stop it," said head coach Rob Docherty. "We always knew he had it in him, and now we're starting to see it."
Matichak, who has a .881 save percentage, gave his teammates much of the credit for the win.
"They are doing a good job of limiting the rebounds," he said. "Everyone is communicating better, and we are picking each other up."
The Cool Cats have struggled so far this season with a 5-7-1 start and dropped a close game Friday night to the Redhawks. But they played one of their best games of the season Saturday, Barnes said.
"I think this was the first time all season we played up to our full potential," Barnes said.
The team was in high spirits Saturday night, bursting out to an early 2-1 lead before finishing Miami off with three third-period goals and huge saves from Matichak.
The team's hard work is starting to pay off, Docherty said.
"Good things happen when you play 60 minutes," he said. "It's even better when you play 60 minutes and you get some breaks. Early on we weren't getting many breaks, but now things are starting to bounce our way."
The Cool Cats hope the breaks continue to bounce their way with tough weekends ahead.
After taking on Bowling Green at home this weekend, UK hits the road on Nov. 9 and 10 to play at Wright State.
It seems as though Matichak's play will be a key factor in how UK fares the rest of the season.
"The better you play, the more confidence you get," Matichak said.
UK hosts Bowling Green this Friday and Saturday. Both games start at midnight at the Lexington Ice Center.
E-mail sports@kykernel.com.
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