Category | Sports

Owls successful over Knights and Vols

Published on November 10, 2009 by Lucas Bigham

The ice hockey club earned two big wins over the weekend against Central Florida (5-3) and Tennessee (8-2) at the IceForum in Kennesaw.

“Our game plan going into it is to inflict a little damage,” said club president Dylan Morrison. “Sometimes when you do that teams seem to fold.”

The Owls (7-4) were coming off back-to-back losses on the road against Kentucky, one of the top teams in the Southeast region in ACHA Div. II. However, KSU knew they needed to win both games this weekend to give them some momentum prior to their games against Florida Gulf Coast next weekend.

On Thursday, KSU met Central Florida (12-4), the number one ranked team in the Southern region in ACHA Div. III. This team arrived in Kennesaw looking to test the Owls, and that’s just what they did.

The game was back-and-forth until the end of the second period with both teams tied. However, KSU turned up their offense in the third where they scored two more goals to win the game, 5-3.

“They’ve got a really good hockey team,” Morrison said. “We just buckled down.”

Jerry Holden led his team with two goals against Central Florida. Owl’s freshmen Scott Frenzel, Tucker Green and Ryan Brown each had a goal. Morrison had three assists this game, which increased his season total to 23.

On Friday, KSU faced off against rival University of Tennessee (4-4). UT is currently in fifth place in the Southern region in ACHA Div. III.

KSU kept the pressure on UT’s defense from the drop of the puck. The first period was back-and-forth, but the second and third periods favored the Owls.

Holden earned himself a hat trick, which increased his total goals to 19 this season. He is currently in a tie for fourth in total goals this season in ACHA Div. II.

“I just like to contribute to the team,” Holden said.

Morrison, Frenzel, Brown, Chris Koutnik and Jake Garrison each added goals of their own, and Morrison had three assists.

“[Koutnik] played well,” said head coach Ken Honeyman. “He came to play tonight.”

Coach Honeyman also credits the team’s strong performance to defenseman Sean Devine and forward Jake Garrison whom he felt stepped up their game.

The Owls will travel to Florida to face off against rival FGCU Nov. 13-14.

“We don’t really know what to expect, but we’re going to do our best,” Holden said.