Category | Sports

Headed to ACHA Division II regional’s

Published on February 10, 2009 by Lucas Bigham

Owls shut-out Liberty in final game to make regional tournament
After suffering two tough loses to Miami of Ohio a week ago, the KSU Ice Hockey Team needed to win one of their three games at the SE Shootout in order to clinch a spot in the regional tournament. After dropping their first two games on Feb. 5-7 against FGCU, 3-6, and Michigan State, 1-6, they were able to bounce back to defeat Liberty, 8-0.

The Owls hosted the Southeast Shootout, which invited many of the top ACHA Division II teams in the country including Florida Gulf Coast, Grand Valley, Liberty University and Michigan State.

On Thursday, Feb. 5, KSU faced off against Florida Gulf Coast-a team they struggled against earlier in the season, losing to them twice, 0-13 and 1-10.

FGCU made the decision to start their backup goalie, which the Owls thought would give them an opportunity to win. However, it was not enough and the Owls fell to FGCU, 3-6.

“They gave us a win by starting him [backup goalie],” said Club President Jimmy Barry.
The Owls gave up a goal very early in the first period that unfortunatley changed the momentum in the game.

“They wounded us early,” said Barry. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t bounce back.”

On Friday, Feb. 6 the Owls faced off against the always dangerous Michigan State. Both teams started out very strong and the game was tied, 1-1, going into the second period. However, once the puck dropped in the second, it was all Spartans and the Owls found themselves on the losing end of another game, 1-6.

“We played a really good first period,” said Barry. “They were more disciplined and able to capitalize.”

With their hopes of making it to the regional tournament dwindling, KSU played in perhaps their most important game of the year on Saturday. Their opponent would be Liberty, who the Owls lost to, 2-5, in September 2008.

The Owls started off very strong in the first period with goals from forwards Jerry Holden and Chris Koutnik, and a fourth goal from Barry with under a minute to go in the period.

KSU continued their quick scoring in the second period. Brett Brodie gave the Owls their fifth goal early in the period, which caused Liberty to make a goaltending change. A fresh goalie would not be enough to stop the Owls though.

With approximately twelve minutes to go in the second period, forward Ricky Lirette secured a short-handed goal, and Andy Buckner added another goal with around seven minutes left.

The Owls added one more goal courtesy of forward Dylan Morrison within the first five minutes of the third period as KSU sealed an 8–0 victory and earned a spot in the regional tournament; pending the Owls ranking in the upcoming poll. The Owls have to be ranked in the top ten to qualify for the regional tournament.

The ACHA D-II Regional’s are set to take place on Feb. 26-27. The location has yet to be determined.