While the rest of the West Chester University student body geared up for spring break, the members of the Golden Rams ice hockey team competed in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s (ACHA) National Tournament in mes, Iowa, where they suffered two losses.Held each year, the tournament hosts the top hockey clubs in the country and pits them against one another to determine the best of the best. In Division I, WCU was ranked in the No. 10 spot and lost to No. 3 Rhode Island 0-4 and No. 6 Michigan-Dearborn 1-2.
According to head coach Bill Weil, the lack of scoring and problems with the offense contributed to the two losses. “We didn’t finish plays offensively, and didn’t put the puck in the net when we had the opportunity,” said Weil. “It was ironic because we had no problem putting the puck in the net during the [regular season] year,” he said.
Jim Gibson, a junior on the team, mentioned that despite no wins in Iowa, the team played relatively well. “We thought if we could win the first game [versus Rhode Island], we knew we could beat Michigan-Dearborn,” he said. Gibson added that a large amount of penalties may have kept them from a win against Rhode Island.
The Golden Rams faced off against both Rhode Island and Michigan-Dearborn during the regular season, though losses were recorded for the Rams. However, because of the prior experience of playing the two teams, the Rams knew what to expect in the tournament, said Weil. “We knew what they had to offer, so we worked on our defensive schemes and power play. We didn’t change anything.”
However, despite the defeats in Iowa, the Golden Rams saw one of their best seasons to date in 2003-2004 with a record of 23-11-1 going into the Iowa tournament. Weil said the teamøs attitude was a major factor in the success. “These guys just never quit. They never, never quit,” he said.
Gibson said team chemistry was another factor. “The guys played for each other and not for individual stats,” he said.
Weil also agreed the team got along exceptionally well. “There are no prima donnas or cliques on the team. All of the guys stood up for one another on and off the ice.” General manager, Dom Bellizze mentioned that his and Weil’s commitment to put a better team on the ice helped bring everything together. “We tried to keep the team local, and get the best players we could,” he said.
Weil chalked up the Iowa tournament as a “real good learning experience” for the team, and said that now they know what it takes to get to the nationals, and what to expect when they get there. “We’ve been to the dance, and now we know what to do.