UK hockey wins pair of games over weekend
Brad Bowling
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Sports
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The UK hockey team is finally starting to achieve the results it expected coming into this season.
The Cool Cats notched a pair of victories against Bowling Green at the Lexington Ice Center over the weekend, improving UK's record to 7-7-1.
The Cool Cats put on an offensive clinic in Saturday night's game, an 8-1 thrashing of the Falcons.
The win was UK's third straight after the team lost seven of nine contests, a welcome turnaround for a team that expects to contend for a championship this season.
"We did a good job of staying focused out there," said head coach Rob Docherty. "I liked how fast we played and how well we passed the puck."
UK freshman forward Sean Wormald scored the team's first goal just under two minutes into the game, and the Cool Cats never looked back.
UK led 3-0 after the first period, and converted on many more scoring opportunities the rest of the way. Senior defenseman Patrick McAdams and freshman forward Michael Pearce each scored two goals for the Cool Cats.
"It's good to be back on the winning track," said senior goalie Drew Matichak.
The game was physical and featured several penalties, mostly by a frustrated Bowling Green team that couldn't find an answer to UK's offensive flurry. One Bowling Green player was ejected.
Some fights also broke out, including one after a goal by junior forward Tom McCurrie, which led to some penalties. Bowling Green's 10th penalty after that goal led to McAdams' second goal, the Cool Cats' eighth of the game.
"It was an ugly third period," Docherty said. "They started headhunting a little bit when the score got out of hand. They also did that to try and slow us down."
The effect of the physical play wasn't noticeable to Matichak, who elevated his game even more, allowing just one goal in two games against the Falcons over the weekend.
"It's nice when you can play with a lead like that," he said. "You get more relaxed because there's not as much pressure."
Docherty did see some areas that needed improvement, saying UK's power play still needs some work.
"We played a little better on power play tonight," Docherty said. "But we still need to do a better job of taking advantage of those opportunities."
The Cool Cats defeated the Falcons 3-0 on Friday night.
The wins put UK in a much better position as they travel to play Wright State next week, followed by the Wooster Thanksgiving Tournament in Wooster, Ohio, beginning on Nov. 24. UK returns home Nov. 30 when the Cool Cats host Ohio State.
E-mail sports@kykernel.com.
The Cool Cats notched a pair of victories against Bowling Green at the Lexington Ice Center over the weekend, improving UK's record to 7-7-1.
The Cool Cats put on an offensive clinic in Saturday night's game, an 8-1 thrashing of the Falcons.
The win was UK's third straight after the team lost seven of nine contests, a welcome turnaround for a team that expects to contend for a championship this season.
"We did a good job of staying focused out there," said head coach Rob Docherty. "I liked how fast we played and how well we passed the puck."
UK freshman forward Sean Wormald scored the team's first goal just under two minutes into the game, and the Cool Cats never looked back.
UK led 3-0 after the first period, and converted on many more scoring opportunities the rest of the way. Senior defenseman Patrick McAdams and freshman forward Michael Pearce each scored two goals for the Cool Cats.
"It's good to be back on the winning track," said senior goalie Drew Matichak.
The game was physical and featured several penalties, mostly by a frustrated Bowling Green team that couldn't find an answer to UK's offensive flurry. One Bowling Green player was ejected.
Some fights also broke out, including one after a goal by junior forward Tom McCurrie, which led to some penalties. Bowling Green's 10th penalty after that goal led to McAdams' second goal, the Cool Cats' eighth of the game.
"It was an ugly third period," Docherty said. "They started headhunting a little bit when the score got out of hand. They also did that to try and slow us down."
The effect of the physical play wasn't noticeable to Matichak, who elevated his game even more, allowing just one goal in two games against the Falcons over the weekend.
"It's nice when you can play with a lead like that," he said. "You get more relaxed because there's not as much pressure."
Docherty did see some areas that needed improvement, saying UK's power play still needs some work.
"We played a little better on power play tonight," Docherty said. "But we still need to do a better job of taking advantage of those opportunities."
The Cool Cats defeated the Falcons 3-0 on Friday night.
The wins put UK in a much better position as they travel to play Wright State next week, followed by the Wooster Thanksgiving Tournament in Wooster, Ohio, beginning on Nov. 24. UK returns home Nov. 30 when the Cool Cats host Ohio State.
E-mail sports@kykernel.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Rick Marnon, Howell
posted 11/14/07 @ 2:45 PM EST
I played for Peoria in the ECHL, and I knew that there were a number of minor affiliates that were in states that did not have NHL teams, but I did not know that the University of Kentucky had a team. (Continued…)
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