Although Arizona hockey was swept in a two-game series this weekend at home, the Wildcats had a victory off the ice on Saturday night.
During the inaugural Pink the Rink game, the Arizona Wildcat hockey team was able to raise over $6800 in the fight against breast cancer. The money will be donated to the UA Cancer Center.
“Everyone that came out to the cancer awareness game knows how special of a night it was for everyone involved,” UA hockey player Griffin Dyne said. “The success we had in fundraising proves that the battle with cancer cannot diminish the love and legacy someone leaves behind in their life. Old or young, we should all be thankful for every new and healthy day we have.”
No. 21 Arizona lost to No. 5 Stony Brook University on Friday night 5-2 and then again 6-3 on Saturday night.
On Friday night, Arizona entered the third period trailing the Seawolves 3-0. However, an offensive explosion began as Orion Olsen put the puck into the net to get Arizona on the board for the first time in the game. John Hogan then scored on assists from Toppie Hogan and Shane Gleason, making it a one-goal game.
However, the comeback fell short as Arizona’s defense collapsed and Wildcat starting goalie Garrett Patrick allowed Stony Brook to score two more goals.
On Saturday night, Arizona skated out wearing bright pink jerseys to support the fight against breast cancer in the first annual Pink the Rink breast cancer awareness game.
Securing a win and splitting the series against Stony Brook was crucial for Arizona, since the Wildcats are currently two spots out from making the 2015 Arizona Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament.
The Wildcats tied the Seawolves 1-1 minutes into the second period. However, the second period ended with Arizona trailing Stony Brook 5-1.
Similar to Friday night, Arizona began the third period crashing the net and looking for a comeback victory.
Forward Alex Vazquez netted Arizona’s second goal of the night with assists from Toppie Hogan and John Hogan. Following Vazquez, Olsen scored with an assist from defenseman Matt Nowicki.
“This weekend was a rough one,” Toppie Hogan said. “We needed at least a split and didn’t get one against a very good Stony Brook team. This upcoming weekend against ASU is very important, and it’s time to put our focus toward them.”
Arizona will travel to Tempe to take on instate rival No. 1 ASU this weekend. The puck will drop both Friday and Saturday in Oceanside Ice Arena at 7:30 p.m.
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