The Oregon club hockey team finished their regular season this weekend with two back-to-back games against the Washington State Cougars. Oregon, with triple the number of players on the bench as Washington, took away both games with landslide victories of 12-4 and 15-1.

Both games were much of the same with Washington State attempting to play well in the first couple of minutes before tiring out, allowing Oregon to outplay them with ease.

As it was the last two at the Ducks’ home ice, more important than the score was the ability to play in front of family and chance to end the season on a high note. Forward Sam Rosenberg had a four-goal, two-assist weekend. After Rosenberg’s initial goal, defenseman Cody Drees lept into his arms. It, in addition to the three that followed, was the first goal Rosenberg scored with the team this season.

“I got the opportunity to do what I do best,” Rosenberg said. “I’m not Nick Sciabarra. I’m not Trevor Shott. I don’t have the moves like them or the speed like some of the guys on the team, but I have a good shot and I had the chance to take some in the second period of the first game against Washington State for the first two (goals).”

“There was a lot of elation, it was nice,” he continued. “It was good to be able to do it for my dad. He passed away two months ago.”

This was the last home game for a few graduating seniors. However, with Pac-8 playoffs beginning next week, the reality of it being over hasn’t sunk in yet. There’s more hockey to be played in the post-season and they’ll be returning to the rink next week for practice.

“Let’s gear up and get ready for playoffs,” said senior goaltender Danny Cockriel. “The season isn’t over. I don’t think it’s (the regular season ending) hit very many kids yet. We still have next weekend and we want to go out there and win.”

Playoffs begin next Friday in Lake Tahoe, California and will continue until Sunday.

Follow Anne Yilmaz on Twitter @anneyilmaz.

[Originally published by the Daily Emerald on February 1, 2015]