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Volume CXXXII, Number 15 |
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Men's hockey fans on its shot
MIKE BALULESCU
STAFF WRITER
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| After dropping three games in a row, the Polar Bears put in the extra effort in practice before the postseason. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient) |
Despite the popular cheer of Bowdoin students, it was the Polar Bears who turned out to be sterile Tuesday night, as Bowdoin fell to rival Colby College 4-1 and lost its third straight game to the host White Mules. Following a disappointing road trip last weekend-during which the Polar Bears lost to both Norwich University and St. Michael's College-Bowdoin's banner season has come to a sudden and abrupt stop. In fact, the men's hockey team has not seen a win since their stellar performance against Trinity College two weeks ago.
Bowdoin's record now stands at 12-5-2 overall, and the team sits mired in fourth place in the NESCAC standings behind Trinity College, Middlebury College, and Colby. Once riding high in first place, the Polar Bears now approach the end of the season stuck in a losing streak. And while they have already mathematically qualified for the playoffs, no team wants to enter the postseason on a downward spiral.
"Last year we peaked early," said Coach Terry Meagher, "and it's important that we get back on track before the regular season ends."
After a frustrating tie with Wesleyan University two weekends ago, things have not improved for the hockey team. Bowdoin took on Norwich last Friday night, a team that was, and still is, ranked second in the nation in Division III hockey.
Caving to intimidation from their nationally ranked opponents, the Polar Bears gave up a barrage of goals all night, and suffered a 9-5 loss. Bowdoin trailed by as much as seven goals in the third period, and a normally strong Polar Bear offense only managed 24 shots on Norwich goalie Kevin Schieve.
The next afternoon brought more bad news, as the Purple Knights of St. Michael's upset the Polar Bears 2-0. In a defensive battle St. Michael's narrowly outshot Bowdoin 36-34, and clung to a 1-0 lead deep into the third period. With less than three minutes left to play, Coach Meagher pulled Bowdoin's goalie to no avail, as St. Michael's scored an empty net goal at 19:31 to finish off the Polar Bears and complete the upset.
Meagher was predictably frustrated with this past weekend's road trip. "We were flat," said Meagher. "We have some upperclassmen who stayed on the bus."
Tuesday's game against Colby was a chance for the struggling Polar Bears to redeem themselves, having already defeated the White Mules at home on December 3. But the lack of home ice and a nagging losing streak cost Bowdoin dearly, as Colby emerged victorious in the second match-up of the season.
Behind the stellar goaltending of J.D. Hadiaris, who had 26 saves on the night, the host White Mules shut down Bowdoin's offense and sent the Polar Bears home to lick their wounds.
Despite a large and loyal fan following at the Colby arena Tuesday night, the men's hockey team has yet to duplicate the magic they showed on the ice January 31 against first place Trinity.
The Polar Bears look to get their season back on track at home tonight at 7:00 p.m., as they take on the struggling USM Huskies (5-14-1). Tomorrow afternoon the Polar Bears play again under Dayton's hallowed rafters, against a dangerous Salem State College, a team that already beat the Polar Bears 5-2 on December 28.
GO U BEARS!
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