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Volume CXXXII, Number 16 |
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Men's hockey regains dominant form
MIKE BALULESCU
STAFF WRITER
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| After their victory against USM, the Polar Bears are ready to face off in the NESCAC tournament. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient) |
While last Friday's win against the University of Southern Maine ended Bowdoin's three-game losing streak, it also marked a milestone for Head Coach Terry Meagher. Recording his 327th career win, Meagher passed the legendary Sid Watson as Bowdoin's winningest hockey coach in College history.
Add to that achievement a remarkable comeback against Salem State College on Saturday, this past weekend's performance proves that the Polar Bears are back on track and ready to take on the NESCAC playoff tournament.
"We were in a dry spell the past week or two," said coach Meagher, who was honored in a special ceremony after Friday night's 7-2 win against USM. "This season is five months long, and we're going to have periods that don't go our way. But the last two matches were very strong-I think our game against Salem State was as good a game as we have played all season."
Bowdoin's defense performed admirably last Friday, as the visiting Huskies mustered only nine shots on goal all night. Captain Sean Starke '03 led the Polar Bears with two goals and helped Bowdoin improve its record to 13-5-2.
Hot off a win and eager for more, the Polar Bears took on Salem State Saturday afternoon, a team that gave Bowdoin its first loss of the season back on December 28. Bowdoin got on the board first with a goal from first-year Jesse Minneman, but for most of the game it was all Salem State. The Vikings rallied for four unanswered goals and took a 4-1 lead deep into the third period.
However, with less than ten minutes to play, Chris Pelletier '04 and Starke both scored goals to make it 4-3, bringing Bowdoin within striking distance. With less than three minutes to play, coach Meagher gambled by removing goalie Mike Healey, and everyone in Dayton Arena held their breath during the risky open net play. The game looked all but lost before senior Adam Mantin finally found the net with a mere 19 seconds left on the clock, securing the tie for Bowdoin and sending the crowd into an absolute uproar.
Although the Polar Bears could not secure the win in overtime, all in all the weekend settled well for the hockey team. "We're back on the right track," said forward Mike O'Neill '04. "We picked a good time to get our act together."
Junior Goaltender Mike Healey, who made 31 saves during the weekend, was equally pleased with the weekend's results. "We played really well overall, and I think we are in good shape for the playoffs. We have a tough weekend coming up, and after that anything can happen."
Friday's win over USM clinched a home ice advantage for the Polar Bears in the first round of the NECSAC playoffs, which start March 1. "Anytime you can get home ice in the first round, you know you are doing something right," said Meagher, who is excited about his team's chances. "This is a special group of young people, and they represent the school in all the right ways. They've earned it."
The 13-5-3 Polar Bears hit the road today to take on Amherst College tonight and Hamilton College tomorrow afternoon, before returning home for playoffs next weekend. GO U BEARS!
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