February 26, 2006
Season Ends In Dissapointment
Season Ends In Dissapointment
The University of Iowa Hockey team headed to Danville, IL yesterday to take on the
McKendree Bearcats and defend their 2005 MACHA Championship. However, a
repeat was not in the books as Iowa was upset by McKendree by the score of 6-4.
With the loss the championship hopes of the Hawks were abruptly ended along with
the Hawkeyes' season.
The Hawks came out strong on Saturday and looked to be in control early as Kyle
Norris picked up a rebound in front of the McKendree net to score the first goal of the
game at 4:06 into the period. Just 3:35 later Norris struck again as he picked up a
rebound on a shot from the point by Kenny Galinski and got the puck off before
McKendree's goaltender could adjust. With a two goal lead just 8:41 into the game,
the Hawkeyes looked to be on a roll. However, McKendree stepped up and took
control of the game's flow and with the help of outstanding goaltending shut down
Iowa's offense for the remainder of the period. The Bearcats also managed to reduce
the Iowa lead to one as they scored on a 5 on 3 power play with just over 3 minutes
remaining in the period.
McKendree fought hard in the second period and the Hawkeyes suffered from a
number of penalties that lead to another power play goal for the Bearcats at 5:57 into
the period. The Bearcats would add to their tally before the period's end and take a
3-2 heading into the final period of play.
The Hawks came out fighting hard in the third as they hoped to tie up the game as
quickly as possible. Peter Opalacz, a second semester addition for the Hawkeyes,
provided what they needed as he received a pass from Zach Piper and tied it up on a
wrap-around goal with 15:47 remaining. However, the Bearcats took their lead back
as they capitalized on a defensive zone turnover by the Hawks and scored 7:06 into
the period to take a 4-3 lead. Then, with 9:21 remaining, McKendree picked off an
Iowa pass and Scott Roberts scored his third goal of the game for the Bearcats to put
the Hawkeyes down by the score 5-3.
With the season on the line, the IceHawks stepped up their intensity and managed to
bring the game within one as Andy Arreguin took a low shot that rebounded toward
Kevin Lorenz who lifted the puck over the Mckendree goaltender's glove to make it a
one goal difference with 2:37 left in the game. The Hawks pressed hard for the next
minute and a half and had repeated chances but they could not get the tying score
past the Bearcats' netminder. Iowa coach Kevin Harter pulled goaltender Tim
Strauch with 1:07 remaining in the game and the Hawks went into all-out attack mode
in a desperate attempt to even the score and continue their defense of their 2005
MACHA championship. However, McKendree scored an empty net goal with 33
seconds remaining to complete their 6-4 upset of the Hawkeyes and advance on to
the MACHA championship game.
With the loss the Hawkeyes were eliminated from the playoffs and their season
ended. However, with a conference record of 10-3-1, 2005-06 marked the best
regular season for the Hawks since they joined MACHA. The Hawkeyes also finished
with an overall record of 16-7-2 to make 05-06 one of the more successful
campaigns in recent IceHawk memory. In addition, all of Iowa's losses can be
attributed to only 3 teams; Iowa State D1, eventual MACHA champion DePaul
University, and McKendree College. The Hawkeyes will play their next games when
the 2006-07 season begins in September.
Please stay tuned to www.hawkeyeshockey.com throughout the spring to keep up
with the Hawkeyes' latest off season news!
McKendree Bearcats and defend their 2005 MACHA Championship. However, a
repeat was not in the books as Iowa was upset by McKendree by the score of 6-4.
With the loss the championship hopes of the Hawks were abruptly ended along with
the Hawkeyes' season.
The Hawks came out strong on Saturday and looked to be in control early as Kyle
Norris picked up a rebound in front of the McKendree net to score the first goal of the
game at 4:06 into the period. Just 3:35 later Norris struck again as he picked up a
rebound on a shot from the point by Kenny Galinski and got the puck off before
McKendree's goaltender could adjust. With a two goal lead just 8:41 into the game,
the Hawkeyes looked to be on a roll. However, McKendree stepped up and took
control of the game's flow and with the help of outstanding goaltending shut down
Iowa's offense for the remainder of the period. The Bearcats also managed to reduce
the Iowa lead to one as they scored on a 5 on 3 power play with just over 3 minutes
remaining in the period.
McKendree fought hard in the second period and the Hawkeyes suffered from a
number of penalties that lead to another power play goal for the Bearcats at 5:57 into
the period. The Bearcats would add to their tally before the period's end and take a
3-2 heading into the final period of play.
The Hawks came out fighting hard in the third as they hoped to tie up the game as
quickly as possible. Peter Opalacz, a second semester addition for the Hawkeyes,
provided what they needed as he received a pass from Zach Piper and tied it up on a
wrap-around goal with 15:47 remaining. However, the Bearcats took their lead back
as they capitalized on a defensive zone turnover by the Hawks and scored 7:06 into
the period to take a 4-3 lead. Then, with 9:21 remaining, McKendree picked off an
Iowa pass and Scott Roberts scored his third goal of the game for the Bearcats to put
the Hawkeyes down by the score 5-3.
With the season on the line, the IceHawks stepped up their intensity and managed to
bring the game within one as Andy Arreguin took a low shot that rebounded toward
Kevin Lorenz who lifted the puck over the Mckendree goaltender's glove to make it a
one goal difference with 2:37 left in the game. The Hawks pressed hard for the next
minute and a half and had repeated chances but they could not get the tying score
past the Bearcats' netminder. Iowa coach Kevin Harter pulled goaltender Tim
Strauch with 1:07 remaining in the game and the Hawks went into all-out attack mode
in a desperate attempt to even the score and continue their defense of their 2005
MACHA championship. However, McKendree scored an empty net goal with 33
seconds remaining to complete their 6-4 upset of the Hawkeyes and advance on to
the MACHA championship game.
With the loss the Hawkeyes were eliminated from the playoffs and their season
ended. However, with a conference record of 10-3-1, 2005-06 marked the best
regular season for the Hawks since they joined MACHA. The Hawkeyes also finished
with an overall record of 16-7-2 to make 05-06 one of the more successful
campaigns in recent IceHawk memory. In addition, all of Iowa's losses can be
attributed to only 3 teams; Iowa State D1, eventual MACHA champion DePaul
University, and McKendree College. The Hawkeyes will play their next games when
the 2006-07 season begins in September.
Please stay tuned to www.hawkeyeshockey.com throughout the spring to keep up
with the Hawkeyes' latest off season news!
