Hockey awaits playoff berth after historic win
Courtney Cook, '13 | Staff Reporter
Issue date: 2/19/10 Section: Sports
With only two regular-season games left, the ice hockey team is preparing for post-season play. They may need at least one win this weekend to cement their claim.
"Realistically, it comes down to tonight," head coach Brian Grady said last week of the Feb. 12 game against Cortland. The Mustangs won, 5-0, with four different Mustangs scoring: Nick Kulas, Andrew Alarie, Geoff Matzel and Matt Salmon.
Salmon, who scored two against Cortland, was also named Rookie of the Week for the SUNYAC Division, while Caylin Relkoff was named Goalie of the Week for the SUNYAC Division, saving 72 for the Mustangs over the weekend. "We came out strong and got on top of them right away," Matzel said of the Cortland game.
On Feb. 13, the Mustangs played the nation's top-ranked DIII team, Oswego State, as their last home game for five seniors. "They have been here since we were a junior-college team," Grady said of the five. He also said that they have seen the team go a long way. "There has been a lot of struggle and frustration. Hockey-wise, it hurts the team; they are great kids."
The Mustangs took an early lead with Oswego, but ended up losing 5-3, with goals from Matt Salmon, Rob Sgarbossa and Tom Longland.
Morrisville's last two games are Feb. 19 at Buffalo State and Feb. 20 at SUNY Fredonia. They are tied with Cortland for the final playoff spot and need at least one win this weekend to continue their post-season dream. The puck drops at 7 p.m. for both games.
For forward Stefan Carnegie, the Oswego State game made for a bittersweet senior night. "He's a great kid, a ball of energy and one of the smallest guys in the league, but he doesn't play that way [small]," Grady said of Carnegie, who is out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury sustained at the Feb. 5 Potsdam State game, a 5-4 road victory for the Mustangs. Grady said there is a group of players who are stepping up in Carnegie's absence. When asked about how he feels Carnegie's injury is affecting the team, Kyle Roberts said, "He's still a big part of the team; he's here every day at practices and games."
"Realistically, it comes down to tonight," head coach Brian Grady said last week of the Feb. 12 game against Cortland. The Mustangs won, 5-0, with four different Mustangs scoring: Nick Kulas, Andrew Alarie, Geoff Matzel and Matt Salmon.
Salmon, who scored two against Cortland, was also named Rookie of the Week for the SUNYAC Division, while Caylin Relkoff was named Goalie of the Week for the SUNYAC Division, saving 72 for the Mustangs over the weekend. "We came out strong and got on top of them right away," Matzel said of the Cortland game.
On Feb. 13, the Mustangs played the nation's top-ranked DIII team, Oswego State, as their last home game for five seniors. "They have been here since we were a junior-college team," Grady said of the five. He also said that they have seen the team go a long way. "There has been a lot of struggle and frustration. Hockey-wise, it hurts the team; they are great kids."
The Mustangs took an early lead with Oswego, but ended up losing 5-3, with goals from Matt Salmon, Rob Sgarbossa and Tom Longland.
Morrisville's last two games are Feb. 19 at Buffalo State and Feb. 20 at SUNY Fredonia. They are tied with Cortland for the final playoff spot and need at least one win this weekend to continue their post-season dream. The puck drops at 7 p.m. for both games.
For forward Stefan Carnegie, the Oswego State game made for a bittersweet senior night. "He's a great kid, a ball of energy and one of the smallest guys in the league, but he doesn't play that way [small]," Grady said of Carnegie, who is out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury sustained at the Feb. 5 Potsdam State game, a 5-4 road victory for the Mustangs. Grady said there is a group of players who are stepping up in Carnegie's absence. When asked about how he feels Carnegie's injury is affecting the team, Kyle Roberts said, "He's still a big part of the team; he's here every day at practices and games."