Friday night’s game—which gave the Oregon club hockey team a 2-1 lead in the series against the University of Washington—didn’t fit the typical mold of I-5 Cup games. Usually the games between the two rival hockey clubs are fast-paced, with both teams having piles of penalties along with a few points each on the board.
This game, the third game of the series, was the reverse.
It was slower-paced and was won with only a single goal being scored. Washington had only one penalty, a two-minute minor in the first period against Bradyn Kawcak for an elbow. Even though Oregon had earned 25 penalty minutes, 15 of them came from a head contact penalty committed by Patrick Sgarlata early in the 2nd period, which earned him both a five-minute major and 10-minute game misconduct in addition to a game ejection.
“Essentially, it was more of a defensive game than it seemed,” Oregon captain Tyler Halverson said of the slower play and low final score. “I’m also going to say that we played a little bit slower than what we’re capable of. … It just seemed like neither team was able to fully control the puck and work together to get it in the back of the net.”
In the beginning of the game, it seemed that things were going to follow the trend of the games played in Washington last weekend. Less than two minutes in, Alex Sulitzer entered the box for Oregon for a check from behind and the Ducks were put on the first of what would ultimately be six penalty kills.
Washington was unable to capitalize and, shortly after the teams were put back to even strength, the Huskies sent Kawcak to the sin bin.
At even strength, scoring opportunities weren’t rare. Both teams continuously tested the other’s goaltender while putting shot after shot on net.
Notable saves came toward the end of the 1st. Ducks goalie Danny Cockriel made a save off of a shot from Kevin Brahmbhatt that came unexpectedly from a weird angle.
A minute later, Oregon’s Chris Stankeivicz had a shot that was deflected by Huskies goalie Jacob Gilmore. The play opened an opportunity for Alex Sulitzer after Dan Sulitzer passed him the puck. Alex’s shot hit Gilmore’s facemask and was sent into the netting above.
The 1st period had one last penalty. Ducks defenseman Michael Luke came into the box for roughing after he and a Washington player exchanged shoves, had their sticks caught up in one another’s, and then Luke sent the Husky to the ground.
The Ducks started the second period down a man with 1:47 still to serve on the Luke penalty. Around three minutes later, Sgarlata put the Ducks on the five-minute penalty kill after his major and misconduct.
With nearly 10 minutes of the 2nd being spent on the penalty kill for the Ducks, Cockriel understandably had many close calls, but with help from his teammates, who were diving in front of the net and taking shots for him, the the Ducks goal proved impenetrable.
The highlight of the 3rd was Oregon forward Trevor McCarty’s unassisted goal.
After Connor McBride won the faceoff for Oregon in the Washington zone, he sent the puck to McCarty who immediately shot it. It went in.
“There’s nothing sweeter than (the goal) being scored against Washington and having it being a game-winner,” McCarty said. “There’s nothing like it.”
Follow Anne Yilmaz on Twitter @anneyilmaz
[Originally published here by the Daily Emerald on January 25, 2013]