It is not a playoff game, nor is it even a conference game, but Friday night Oct. 1 marks one of the most important games in WCU’s Hockey team’s young season: the opener. In any sport setting the tone early is important. Coming off a rough season, this new, rejuvenated squad looks to break out early and get off on a roll, ultimately to make it back to that spot where they were two years ago.The season and home opener already proves to be a tough matchup as the Rams play host to Niagara. The Rams have practiced and scrimmaged but have not yet played in an actual game, setting them at a slight disadvantage to the 1-1 Niagara who split a series with Liberty, who is ranked in the top ten.
“This weekend will be huge for us in forming our identity as a team,” Coach Dorsey said. “Everything has clicked well so far, but games are a completely different situation than we’ve been through so far.”
Where scrimmages help keep the team in shape and their skills sharp there is nothing like being put into a game situation, especially against a high ranked team such as Niagara.
The Rams most certainly need to step onto the ice with high intensity and crisp play. When asked about his game plan for the game Dorsey said, “In starting off the season, it is really key for us to keep our game simple, play to our strengths, which is our speed, and stay within our systems. If we stray from our systems, or try to get fancy, we won’t be effective. If we play our systems and use our speed, we can play with any teamin the country.” Their team this year is built around their speed, which is one of their greatest assets. This fresh, quick team is a perfect mix of seasoned veterans and young talent who will look to keep up their hard work they put in the offseason and translate it to a win.
Also, as Dorsey said, not trying to do too much will be a huge part in the success or failure of the team in this game. Trying to do too much often leads to sloppy play and in order to start off the season 1-0, sloppiness simply cannot happen.
Assistant Captain Joe Mango agreed with and added to the game plan Coach Dorsey laid out.
“We have a lot of speed and we plan on using it,” Mango said. “We also plan on capitalizing on all our opportunities, especially when we are on the power play. We are also going to emphasize team defense and not taking any stupid penalties.”
Along with the importance to the entire team to get themselves off to a good start, it is equally pivotal for the young players.
“It is also very important for us to start off strong because of the amount of youth on our team. Having a solid first week will do great things for their confidence level,” Dorsey said.
Confidence is one of the biggest keys to success and a confident team often times makes a winning team.
Dorsey released that his first line would consist of forwards Steve Meade, Tom Scococzza, and Dan Griffiths along with the defensive pair of Steve Jones and Jeff Dugan. The rest of the forward lines will consist of a second line of Tim Margadonna, Tim Higgins and Adam Ball, a third line of Brian Ruskowski, Sean Coll, and Brandon Person, and a fourth line made up of Joe Mango, Chris Baer, and either Tyler Moll or Karl Palmer. The remaining two defensive lines include the defensive pair Bob McInerny and Mike Ahle, and the pair Ari Nugent and Jon Reitz. Matt Murnane will get the nod of starting goalie.
In regards to this game, Dorsey said, “This weekend is the first test to see where we are, and what it’s going to take to get to where we want to go.”
Kenny Ayres is a first-year student. majoring in communications. He can be reached at KA739433@wcupa.edu.