Hockey returns home
November 8, 2013
By Char Grimm
UK hockey (3-10-0) will play the University of Missouri (7-5-0) Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game will mark the Cats’ first home game since playing Indiana University of Pennsylvania Oct. 4 and 5.
“We need to get back to playing Cats hockey and the best place to do that is home,” said junior defenseman Jacob Cohen.
The Tigers defeated the University of Louisville 8-1 earlier this season during the ACHA Division II Showcase in Kalamazoo, Mich., which the Cats also attended. UK split the series with Louisville earlier this season and will play them again in February.
Missouri is led by junior forward Nick Webb and his 14 goals. Webb’s linemate Danny Walsh is close behind with nine goals for the Tigers.
UK is led by junior forward Charlie Hales’ five goals. Defenseman Jeremy Schmidt is close behind with four goals. Schmidt also leads the team in penalty minutes with 67.
While the Tigers may have the edge in goals, the Cats have the edge in goaltending. In six games for Missouri, their goaltenders have a combined 7.25 goals against average. UK goaltenders have a combined 3.55 goals against average in 11 games.
“We need to shoot the puck, get pucks on net and test the goalie,” said senior forward Hunter McFadden.
The Cats have struggled to be mentally prepared entering games this season.
“We really can’t afford to take entire games off anymore like we did Friday against (Bowling Green State University). We looked like we didn’t know what we were doing,” senior goaltender Aaron Tenfelde said.
The Cats were defeated by the Falcons 8-0 last Friday.
“Our record alone should be enough to kick us in the butt,” Tenfelde said. “We need to come out to play to win, not just play not to lose.”
McFadden added that the team needs to play a “team game” and not be so worried about the individual.
“Everyone needs to win their own individual battles for the team,” he said.
The matches on Friday and Saturday are both at 11:55 p.m. at the Lexington Ice Center.
