Wittenberg’s club hockey team traveled to Holy Cross College this past weekend to take on their toughest opponent thus far this season. It was the first two losses of the season for the Tigers, who took their opponent into overtime in the second game played over the weekend.
In the overtime loss, Wittenberg went up 2-1 in the first period on Holy Cross, with goals from left wing Will Wieble and right defender Ross Watko. There were four penalties in the period, three of them being on Tigers.
The second period was scoreless and fit with five penalties, this time only two Tigers were sent to the box for charging and high sticking. On the defensive side of the rink, Wittenberg had 17 saves, keeping them in the lead.
Into the third period, Wieble scored once more, puting the Tigers up 3-1 with 12:26 left on the clock. Left wing Drew Brodbeck for Holy Cross then put one in behind the Wittenberg net minder, closing the deficit to one goal. The Tigers answered back with one more goal in regulation, but Holy Cross tied the score up late in the period, sending the game into overtime. Then with 2:45 left in the first period of extra time, Tyler Schmatz for Holy Cross put the puck in the back of the net, and sent Wittenberg home with two losses on the weekend.
“Holy Cross was definitely our best competition yet this season,” said Watko, “but now we know what aspects of our game need improvement.”
The club hockey team is looking to schedule more home games later on this season which will be played at Kettering Ice Area. In future seasons, they will have to opportunity to play here in Springfield, as a rink is in the process of being built downtown, across from the new hospital.
(Ben Groff / s12.bgroff@wittenberg.edu)
