After back-to-back losses, Cool Cats hope for rebound against No. 1 OSU

By Aaron Smith

Sophomore Billy Glass and the Cats said they know how important this weekend's games are to their final ranking. Photo by Scott Hannigan | Staff

The hockey team got a wake-up call and hopes it didn’t merely hit the snooze button.

UK (17-4) dropped to No. 4 in the Southeast rankings after a pair of losses at Illinois on Nov. 21-22. UK head coach Rob Docherty said the team simply got outplayed and outhustled.  UK will look to rebound quickly with No. 1 Ohio State on tap this weekend in games with postseason implications.

“These two are the biggest games of the season,” Docherty said.  “Two good wins will put us back in the top two (of the rankings).  A split isn’t good enough.”

UK doesn’t play any of the other top five teams in the Southeast region, compounding the importance of the Ohio State games.

“We’ve been gearing up for this weekend for a while,” junior goalie Derek Steinbrecher said.  “We know what caliber hockey we can play, and we have this one chance to show that we are the class of the Southeast division.”

With the second half of the schedule appearing to be weaker than the first half, UK will have fewer opportunities to make a run for a spot in the top two.  UK will still have the opportunity to play its way into nationals, but the chance to earn an automatic bid that’s given to the top two teams in each region is sitting right in front of the Cool Cats.

“We couldn’t ask for a better scenario,” sophomore Billy Glass said.  “This is our last realistic chance to move up in the rankings, and this is our only shot at taking down one of the top divisional teams.”

Despite losing its No. 2 ranking, UK was helped by other top teams struggling, leaving the door open for the all-important automatic bid. Beating Ohio State would be breaking the door down.

“We have to find (Ohio State’s) loophole, stay calm, and don’t get frustrated,” Docherty said.  “If they stop 10 shots, shoot 20 more.  We have to keep slapping away and keep crashing the nets, find a way to get garbage goals.”

UK will be missing senior Daniel Ampleford, who broke his collarbone three games ago against Eastern Illinois.  Ampleford anchored the second line, ranked fourth on the team with 32 points and was a key cog on the power plays for UK.

“You can’t replace Daniel as a player, but we can try to replace his position,” Docherty said.  “We have to pick up the slack and get more input from the third and fourth lines.”

Docherty and the rest of the team has been preaching depth as the primary reason for their success.  That claim will now be tested.  Taking over the center position on the second line will be freshman Anthony Simandl, who is making the jump from practice team to second line.

“It’s been a little nerve-wracking trying to fill Daniel’s shoes,” Simandl said.  “It’s been tough adjusting to the speed, but I’m pumped to get a chance to play.”

UK knows the outcome of its season could be determined this weekend and the players are looking to embrace the gravity of the situation, and the pressure that comes with it.

“We like getting excited before the big games,” junior Taylor Vit said.  “It’s why we play the game. Whether we were the No. 1 team or the No. 4 team, this weekend has been pegged as the biggest series of the year for a long time.”