Coming into Sunday afternoon’s game, the Arizona club hockey team knew it would need an unexpected someone to step up if the Icecats had any chance at victory.
With 2:06 remaining in the third period and the score tied at 3, freshman Drew Halliday became that someone.
Forward Brandon Robinson hustled to knock the puck toward Halliday as he scored a break-away goal – one that proved to be the eventual game-winner – to help the Icecats split a weekend series against Adrian College with a 5-3 win at the Tucson Convention Center.
“”Once (Robinson) dove and chipped it in the air, I knew there would be no second chances,”” Halliday said. “”I knew I had to step up. … I utilized my opportunity and we won.””
Defenseman Austin Capobianco added two goals as he was moved to an attacking role due to several key injuries, including forwards Matt Conover and Jordan Schupan.
“”I didn’t realize how tiring it can be,”” said Capobianco of playing forward. “”It was fun being successful for my first time at forward. Hopefully we can build on it so we can sweep ASU.””
At the end of the second period Adrian College led 3-2, but with 13:15 remaining in the third period, junior defenseman Zach Cherney tied the game on a power-play goal, allowing Halliday the chance to put the game away later in the period.
In Saturday night’s game, the Icecats were unable to bounce back after the Bulldogs got off to a 3-0 lead through the first two periods. Though Arizona clawed back in the third by adding two goals, the Bulldogs were able to withstand the flurry after a goal by Bulldog defenseman Bobby Hineman put the game out of reach in a contest that Adrian College eventually won 5-2.
Though the Icecats lost the game, head coach Leo Golembiewski said he was proud of the way the players battled and considered the game more than a moral victory, especially considering the team’s key losses due to injuries and academic ineligibility.
“”This is nice a way to come back and build momentum for the upcoming six game road trip,”” Golembiewski said.
Up next
The Icecats will now play six straight games on the road, with the first two games being against ASU this weekend at the Alltel Ice Den in Scottsdale.
The Icecats’ next home game will be on Feb. 20 when the Sun Devils return to the Tucson Convention Center.
