Category | Sports

Ice Hockey

Published on November 18, 2008 by The Sentinel

   On Nov. 14 and 15 the KSU Ice Hockey team took on the University of
Kentucky Wildcats in two games at the Kennesaw IceForum. The Owls came
out on top in both games with a score of 7 – 2 and 5 – 2.

    “I think we played strong,” said team captain Dylan Morrison. “We kind of came together as a team this weekend and were pretty excited.”

    Dr. Wes Wicker, Director of the KSU Foundation and longtime supporter of the ice hockey club, dropped the puck on Friday to start off what would become a highly competitive and physical two games.

    “They’ve been incredibly successful representing the university,” Wicker said. “The administration is very proud of what these guys have been able to do.”

    For some players this was just another game, but for two others this was a rivalry that began in the family. KSU forward Nick North and his brother Kentucky forward John North both wanted to bring a pair of wins back home.

    The Owls started off slow in the first period on both games, but the pace was set by forwards Jimmy Barry and Andrew Chlebek who scored early in their first meeting.

    Moving into the second and third periods, the Owls began to pick up the pace offensively. Barry and Chlebek both added another goal along with Brett Lester and Morrison. KSU took the first game with a score of 7 – 2. 

    “We started off slow, but we picked it up in the second and third period,” said KSU head coach Ken Honeyman.

    In Saturday’s game, the Wildcats opened up the night with a goal from forward Taylor Vit. However, Owls’ defenseman Hunter Gahl answered with a goal before the end of the first period.

    Much like the game on Friday, the Owls hit the switch and turned up their play in the second and third periods. Forward Ricky Lirette began the scoring pattern, followed by Jerry Holden and Morrison. The Owls had a 4 – 1 lead going into the third period.

    In the third, Morrison captured his second goal of the night, assisted by Rod Johnson and Holden. Before the final horn sounded, Kentucky slipped in a second goal by forward Daniel Ampleford, but it would not be enough. The Owls took down the Wildcats in their second encounter with a score of 5 – 2.

    “We got shots on the net, cycled well, and it worked for us tonight,” Chlebek said.

    KSU goalkeeper Ben Powers remained sharp all weekend by keeping the score low, which enabled his offense to focus on scoring. 

    “Our goalie kept us in it until we came away with the lead,” Barry said. “We had a great game tonight and came out on top.”

    On Nov. 21 at 10:00 p.m. the Owls will host the Atlanta Junior Knights who defeated them in their first match on Sept. 17.

    “We’ve got some redemption, so it should be a really good one,” Morrison said.